Abstract: An apparatus for hydraulic deployment and recapture of an implant includes a hydraulic implant uncovering mechanism and a hydraulic implant re-covering mechanism. The implant uncovering mechanism and the implant re-covering mechanism are independently actuateable with a fluid, and the implant uncovering mechanism is coupled to the implant re-covering mechanism by a flexible elongate tether.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure is directed to a kit for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device, the kit comprising an outer sheath, the outer sheath sized to traverse a vasculature of the patient, and an elongated inner sheath with a tapered distal end. The inner sheath is slidable within the inner lumen of the outer sheath and is selectably removable from the inner lumen of the outer sheath by sliding the inner sheath out of the proximal opening of the outer sheath. The kit includes an elongated deployment receptacle including a deployment bay slidable within the inner lumen of the outer sheath when the inner sheath is not within the inner lumen of the outer sheath. The deployment bay carries an implantable medical device through the inner lumen of the outer sheath and facilitates deployment of the implantable medical device from the distal end of the outer sheath.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure is directed to a method for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device comprising positioning a distal end of an elongated outer sheath forming an inner lumen adjacent a target site within a vasculature of a patient, and partially deploying an implantable medical device from the distal opening, wherein the implantable medical device includes an expandable fixation element. A portion of the expandable fixation element assumes an expanded position when the implantable medical device is partially deployed from the distal opening. The method including advancing the distal end of the outer sheath within the vasculature with the implantable medical device partially deployed from the distal opening, and monitoring at least one of the vasculature and the portion of the expandable fixation element for deflection to determine when the size of the portion of the expandable fixation element corresponds to the size of the vasculature.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure is directed to a kit for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device within a patient, the kit comprising an elongated outer sheath forming an inner lumen with a distal opening, the outer sheath sized to traverse a vasculature of the patient, and an elongated inner sheath with an enlarged distal portion, wherein the enlarged distal portion is configured to substantially fill the inner lumen and close-off the distal opening of the outer sheath. The enlarged distal portion is slidable relative to the outer sheath. The inner sheath further includes a tether with a helical element that is remotely controllable from a proximal end of the inner sheath to release the implantable medical device from a distal portion of the outer sheath.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure is directed to a kit for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device within a patient, the kit comprising an elongated outer sheath forming an inner lumen with a distal opening, the outer sheath sized to traverse a vasculature of the patient, and an elongated inner sheath with an inflatable member at its distal portion. The inflatable member is inflatable from a proximal end of the inner sheath to close-off the distal opening of the outer sheath when inflated. The inner sheath further includes a stopper proximally located relative to the inflatable member. The inflatable member is remotely controllable from a proximal end of the inner sheath to retract in a proximal direction towards the stopper. The inflatable member can be retracted in a proximal direction towards the stopper and past an implantable medical device positioned within a distal portion of the outer sheath.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure is directed to a kit for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device within a patient comprising an elongated outer sheath forming an inner lumen with a distal opening, the outer sheath sized to traverse a vasculature of the patient, and an elongated inner sheath with a stopper. The inner sheath further includes a tether configured to form a loop on a distal side of the stopper, the loop being configured to engage a looped element of the implantable medical device to couple the implantable medical device to the inner sheath. The stopper is slidable relative to the outer sheath. The tether is configured to release the looped element of the implantable medical device from the inner sheath by opening the tether loop when a portion of the stopper is located distally relative to the distal opening of the outer sheath.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure is directed to a method for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device comprising positioning a distal end of an elongated outer sheath forming an inner lumen adjacent a target site within a vasculature of a patient, and partially deploying an implantable medical device from the distal opening, wherein the implantable medical device includes an expandable fixation element. A portion of the expandable fixation element assumes an expanded position when the implantable medical device is partially deployed from the distal opening. The method including advancing the distal end of the outer sheath within the vasculature with the implantable medical device partially deployed from the distal opening, and monitoring at least one of the vasculature and the portion of the expandable fixation element for deflection to determine when the size of the portion of the expandable fixation element corresponds to the size of the vasculature.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure is directed to a kit for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device, the kit comprising an outer sheath, the outer sheath sized to traverse a vasculature of the patient, and an elongated inner sheath with a tapered distal end. The inner sheath is slidable within the inner lumen of the outer sheath and is selectably removable from the inner lumen of the outer sheath by sliding the inner sheath out of the proximal opening of the outer sheath. The kit includes an elongated deployment receptacle including a deployment bay slidable within the inner lumen of the outer sheath when the inner sheath is not within the inner lumen of the outer sheath. The deployment bay carries an implantable medical device through the inner lumen of the outer sheath and facilitates deployment of the implantable medical device from the distal end of the outer sheath.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure is directed to a kit for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device within a patient comprising an elongated outer sheath forming an inner lumen with a distal opening, the outer sheath sized to traverse a vasculature of the patient, and an elongated inner sheath with a stopper. The inner sheath further includes a tether configured to form a loop on a distal side of the stopper, the loop being configured to engage a looped element of the implantable medical device to couple the implantable medical device to the inner sheath. The stopper is slidable relative to the outer sheath. The tether is configured to release the looped element of the implantable medical device from the inner sheath by opening the tether loop when a portion of the stopper is located distally relative to the distal opening of the outer sheath.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure is directed to a kit for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device within a patient, the kit comprising an elongated outer sheath forming an inner lumen with a distal opening, the outer sheath sized to traverse a vasculature of the patient, and an elongated inner sheath with an inflatable member at its distal portion. The inflatable member is inflatable from a proximal end of the inner sheath to close-off the distal opening of the outer sheath when inflated. The inner sheath further includes a stopper proximally located relative to the inflatable member. The inflatable member is remotely controllable from a proximal end of the inner sheath to retract in a proximal direction towards the stopper. The inflatable member can be retracted in a proximal direction towards the stopper and past an implantable medical device positioned within a distal portion of the outer sheath.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure is directed to a kit for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device within a patient, the kit comprising an elongated outer sheath forming an inner lumen with a distal opening, the outer sheath sized to traverse a vasculature of the patient, and an elongated inner sheath with an enlarged distal portion, wherein the enlarged distal portion is configured to substantially fill the inner lumen and close-off the distal opening of the outer sheath. The enlarged distal portion is slidable relative to the outer sheath. The inner sheath further includes a tether with a helical element that is remotely controllable from a proximal end of the inner sheath to release the implantable medical device from a distal portion of the outer sheath.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure is directed to a kit for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device within a patient, the kit comprising an elongated inner sheath with a distal end, a first coupling module slidably connected to the inner sheath, an elongated outer sheath forming an inner lumen with a distal opening and a proximal opening. The outer sheath sized to traverse a vasculature of the patient. The proximal opening is configured to receive the distal end of the inner sheath. The inner lumen is sized to receive the inner sheath and to contain the implantable medical device. The kit further includes a mating coupling module that connects to the first coupling module such that the inner sheath is axially aligned with the outer sheath. The inner sheath is slidable within the outer sheath while the first coupling module is connected to the mating coupling module.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an implantable medical device having a housing that encloses at least a communication module. The implantable medical device also includes a first electrode electrically coupled to the communication module and an electrically conductive fixation mechanism that is mechanically coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the communication module within the housing. The electrically conductive fixation mechanism includes a dielectric material that covers part of a surface of the fixation mechanism. A portion of the electrically conductive fixation mechanism is not covered by the dielectric material such that the portion of the electrically conductive fixation mechanism is exposed to form a second electrode that is electrically coupled to the communication module. The communication module is configured to communicate using the first electrode and second electrode.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an implantable medical device having a housing that encloses at least a communication module. The implantable medical device also includes a first electrode electrically coupled to the communication module and an electrically conductive fixation mechanism that is mechanically coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the communication module within the housing. The electrically conductive fixation mechanism includes a dielectric material that covers part of a surface of the fixation mechanism. A portion of the electrically conductive fixation mechanism is not covered by the dielectric material such that the portion of the electrically conductive fixation mechanism is exposed to form a second electrode that is electrically coupled to the communication module. The communication module is configured to communicate using the first electrode and second electrode.