Abstract: An improved assembly for securing an implantable medical device for retrieval from an implant site includes a plurality of snares, wherein distal openings of a first snare carrier lumen and a second snare carrier lumen have a pre-set offset established therebetween. First and second snare shafts, to which first and second snare loops are coupled, respectively, extend within the corresponding snare carrier lumens such that each loop is located in proximity to the corresponding distal opening of the lumen. The pre-set offset allows an operator to simultaneously position the snare loops around the device; and, when the operator retracts the snare shafts to collapse the snare loops until the loops fit snuggly around the device, the pre-set offset can help to align the device for retrieval.

Abstract: A device receptacle of a catheter resides in a sidewall thereof, which includes a proximal section, a central section extending distally from the proximal section, and a distal section extending distally from the central section. A length of the central section is approximately 30% of an overall length of the sidewall; the proximal and distal sections have approximately the same stiffness; and a stiffness of the central section, formed from a polymer material without any structural reinforcement or any other member embedded therein, is significantly less than that of the proximal and distal sections. When an operator causes the receptacle sidewall to buckle, a distal opening of a chamber of the receptacle becomes aligned with an implanted device so that the operator can bring the implanted device into the chamber to retrieve the device from the implant site.

Abstract: An improved assembly for securing an implantable medical device for retrieval from an implant site includes a plurality of snares, wherein distal openings of a first snare carrier lumen and a second snare carrier lumen have a pre-set offset established therebetween. First and second snare shafts, to which first and second snare loops are coupled, respectively, extend within the corresponding snare carrier lumens such that each loop is located in proximity to the corresponding distal opening of the lumen. The pre-set offset allows an operator to simultaneously position the snare loops around the device; and, when the operator retracts the snare shafts to collapse the snare loops until the loops fit snuggly around the device, the pre-set offset can help to align the device for retrieval.

Abstract: An engagement subassembly of a catheter, for retrieving an implanted medical device, may include at least three segments or, alternately, capture members being spring biased outward from a longitudinal axis of the subassembly, wherein a device receptacle of the catheter forces the capture members/segments, against the spring bias thereof, toward the axis. Each capture member includes a spring-biased wire and a grip, which is located between proximal and distal portions of the corresponding wire, and which is configured to interlock within a gap between a device attachment feature and housing; a length of each wire distal portion may be approximately equal to that of the device housing. An interlocking edge of each segment interlocks within the gap between the attachment feature and housing, when a distal-facing surface of each segment, which tapers outward from the axis in a distal direction, comes into confronting engagement with the device housing.

Abstract: An engagement subassembly of a catheter, for retrieving an implanted medical device, may include at least three segments or, alternately, capture members being spring biased outward from a longitudinal axis of the subassembly, wherein a device receptacle of the catheter forces the capture members/segments, against the spring bias thereof, toward the axis. Each capture member includes a spring-biased wire and a grip, which is located between proximal and distal portions of the corresponding wire, and which is configured to interlock within a gap between a device attachment feature and housing; a length of each wire distal portion may be approximately equal to that of the device housing. An interlocking edge of each segment interlocks within the gap between the attachment feature and housing, when a distal-facing surface of each segment, which tapers outward from the axis in a distal direction, comes into confronting engagement with the device housing.

Abstract: An interventional medical system includes an elongate shaft, a steering assembly coupled to the shaft, a snare member, and a passageway configured to allow passage of the snare member therethrough and into a first longitudinally extending lumen of the shaft; wherein the passageway is spaced distally from the steering assembly actuator by no more than 3 cm to 3.5 cm, and the passageway includes an elastic sealing perimeter. The passageway may, in some cases, be formed in a tapered member of the steering assembly that couples a proximal end of the shaft to a core of the steering assembly.

Abstract: A device receptacle of a catheter resides in a sidewall thereof, which includes a proximal section, a central section extending distally from the proximal section, and a distal section extending distally from the central section. A length of the central section is approximately 30% of an overall length of the sidewall; the proximal and distal sections have approximately the same stiffness; and a stiffness of the central section, formed from a polymer material without any structural reinforcement or any other member embedded therein, is significantly less than that of the proximal and distal sections. When an operator causes the receptacle sidewall to buckle, a distal opening of a chamber of the receptacle becomes aligned with an implanted device so that the operator can bring the implanted device into the chamber to retrieve the device from the implant site.