Abstract: An example medical device for aspirating material from a patient includes a flow switch including an anvil, an actuator, and a surface feature on at least one of the anvil and actuator. The flow switch is configured to move the actuator away from the anvil create a flow path for the aspiration of the material and to move the actuator toward the anvil to reduce the flow path by creating at least one channel defined by the surface feature.

Abstract: In some examples, a medical aspiration system includes a flow switch configured to passively close to restrict aspiration of a body fluid from a body of a patient. In some examples, the flow switch includes a housing defining an internal cavity, and proximal and distal openings to the internal cavity, where the internal cavity is configured to receive the aspirated fluid from a catheter. The flow switch further includes a plug disposed within the internal cavity and configured to move proximally, in response to an above-threshold drag force from a fluid flow of the aspirated fluid within the internal cavity applied to a distal-facing surface of the plug, in order to close the proximal opening; and move distally to open the proximal opening in response to an absence of the fluid flow within the internal cavity.

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 implantable medical device includes an improved tether catch formed by a relatively rigid structure that has a hook surface extending between first and second ends thereof. The second end of the structure is spaced apart from another portion of the device by a gap of a size no greater than a thickness of a tether, for which the tether catch is formed to engage, when the tether is looped within a delivery catheter. The device may be loaded into the catheter by: positioning the looped portion of the tether in close proximity to the gap of the tether catch; creating tension in the positioned tether to bring the looped portion into a perimeter of the hooked surface; and then pulling the tether so that the looped portion thereof bears against the hooked surface, thereby bringing the device into engagement with a distal-most end of the delivery catheter.

Abstract: A tool has an outer assembly, which includes a deployment tube, extending around, and moveable with respect to an inner assembly of the tool; the inner assembly includes a single pull wire and a distal member configured to engage an end of an implantable medical device. The deployment tube includes an articulating segment located just proximal to an enlarged distal-most portion, which contains the device and the distal member. Relatively soft and stiff sections of a composite sidewall define the articulating segment and extend alongside one another, such that, when the pull wire is actuated, the composite sidewall causes bending of the segment in two directions. A handle assembly of the tool includes a control member for the pull wire, and may further include a flushing subassembly that has a connector port located at an end of the handle assembly that is opposite a proximal port of the handle.

Abstract: In a system for retrieving an implanted device, a flared inner surface of a catheter tubular sidewall may define a distal-most opening of a device receptacle; the opening has a first diameter equal to that of the receptacle, and a second diameter, coincident with a distal-most edge of the tubular sidewall, and at least 5% greater than the receptacle diameter. Alternately, a retrieval tool in sliding engagement within a lumen of a catheter includes a shaft assembly, through which a snare member passes, and which includes a collapsible spring-biased perimeter sidewall; the sidewall defines a capture member passageway approximately coaxial, and in fluid communication with a lumen of the shaft assembly. A distal-most opening of the passageway has a spring-biased diameter that is greater than that of a distal-most opening of a device receptacle of the catheter, and a collapsed diameter that is less than the receptacle distal-most opening diameter.

Abstract: A system for retrieving an implanted medical device includes an outer tubular member and a contractible super-elastic net, which may be joined to an elongate shaft that extends in sliding engagement within the outer tubular member. When the net expands from a contracted condition the net defines a longitudinally extending tubular cavity. An open end of the cavity is sized to receive passage of a housing of the device therethrough; and the net, with the device housing contained therein, forms an interference fit within an inner diameter of the outer tubular member. But, an outer diameter of the net, in a fully expanded condition, is larger than the inner diameter.

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: Delivery tools of interventional medical systems facilitate deployment of relatively compact implantable medical devices that include extensions, for example, cardiac pacing devices that include an extension for atrial sensing, wherein an entirety of the device is contained within the delivery tool while a distal-most portion of the tool is navigated to a target implant site. Once at the implant site, a device fixation member may be exposed out from a distal opening of the tool, for initial deployment, while the extension remains contained within the delivery tool. The tool includes a grasping mechanism, operable, within and without a lumen of the tool, to alternately grip and release the device extension, for example, to position a distal end of the extension after the tool has been withdrawn from over an entirety of the initially deployed device.

Abstract: A tool has an outer assembly, which includes a deployment tube, extending around, and moveable with respect to an inner assembly of the tool; the inner assembly includes a single pull wire and a distal member configured to engage an end of an implantable medical device. The deployment tube includes an articulating segment located just proximal to an enlarged distal-most portion, which contains the device and the distal member. Relatively soft and stiff sections of a composite sidewall define the articulating segment and extend alongside one another, such that, when the pull wire is actuated, the composite sidewall causes bending of the segment in two directions. A handle assembly of the tool includes a control member for the pull wire, and may further include a flushing subassembly that has a connector port located at an end of the handle assembly that is opposite a proximal port of the handle.

Abstract: A catheter inner assembly includes a receptacle with an interior contour configured to mate with a head and neck contour of a holding member of an implantable medical device; and a laterally facing opening of the receptacle has a profile matching a longitudinal profile of the head and neck. Thus, the opening allows only a properly oriented passage of the holding member therethrough, the passage being without deformation of holding member or opening. The inner assembly further includes a lock and release member useful for securing the device to the catheter, when the holding member has been passed through the receptacle's opening to mate with the receptacle's interior contour. The lock and release member may include an arcuate sidewall moveable between a first location, at which the sidewall overlays the laterally facing opening, and a second location, at which the sidewall is located proximal to the opening.

Abstract: A delivery system for an implantable medical device includes a tool and a tethering member extending side-by-side within an inner shaft thereof; the tool extends within a first lumen, being in sliding engagement therein, and includes a distal end coupling feature that protrudes from a distal end of the inner shaft; and the tethering member has a first segment extending within a second lumen, and a second segment extending from the first segment and distally from the distal end of the inner shaft to an end of the tethering member, which is configured to engage with a holding member of the device, and with which the coupling feature of the tool is configured to couple. A retainer may be joined to another end of the tethering member that protrudes from a proximal port of the system.

Abstract: A tool has an outer assembly, which includes a deployment tube, extending around, and moveable with respect to an inner assembly of the tool; the inner assembly includes a single pull wire and a distal member configured to engage an end of an implantable medical device. The deployment tube includes an articulating segment located just proximal to an enlarged distal-most portion, which contains the device and the distal member. Relatively soft and stiff sections of a composite sidewall define the articulating segment and extend alongside one another, such that, when the pull wire is actuated, the composite sidewall causes bending of the segment in two directions. A handle assembly of the tool includes a control member for the pull wire, and may further include a flushing subassembly that has a connector port located at an end of the handle assembly that is opposite a proximal port of the handle.

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 operator can release a looped portion of a tethering member, which terminates a distal section thereof, from being secured within a locking lumen of a delivery catheter shaft, and then move the distal section out of engagement with an attachment feature of an implantable medical device to untether the device from the catheter. The tethering member extends within another lumen of the shaft, which may be part of a catheter assembly that further includes a locking member extending within the locking lumen and having a distal tip located in proximity to an aperture of the shaft. To tether the device to the catheter, the operator can engage the tethering member distal section with the device attachment feature, and then pass the looped portion thereof through the aperture and into the locking lumen, where the locking member distal tip can be passed through the looped portion to secure it.

Abstract: A delivery system for an implantable medical device includes a tool and a tethering member extending side-by-side within an inner shaft thereof; the tool extends within a first lumen, being in sliding engagement therein, and includes a distal end coupling feature that protrudes from a distal end of the inner shaft; and the tethering member has a first segment extending within a second lumen, and a second segment extending from the first segment and distally from the distal end of the inner shaft to an end of the tethering member, which is configured to engage with a holding member of the device, and with which the coupling feature of the tool is configured to couple. A retainer may be joined to another end of the tethering member that protrudes from a proximal port of the system.

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: A system for retrieving an implanted medical device includes an outer tubular member and a contractible super-elastic net, which may be joined to an elongate shaft that extends in sliding engagement within the outer tubular member. When the net expands from a contracted condition the net defines a longitudinally extending tubular cavity. An open end of the cavity is sized to receive passage of a housing of the device therethrough; and the net, with the device housing contained therein, forms an interference fit within an inner diameter of the outer tubular member. But, an outer diameter of the net, in a fully expanded condition, is larger than the inner diameter.

Abstract: A catheter inner assembly includes a receptacle with an interior contour configured to mate with a head and neck contour of a holding member of an implantable medical device; and a laterally facing opening of the receptacle has a profile matching a longitudinal profile of the head and neck. Thus, the opening allows only a properly oriented passage of the holding member therethrough, the passage being without deformation of holding member or opening. The inner assembly further includes a lock and release member useful for securing the device to the catheter, when the holding member has been passed through the receptacle's opening to mate with the receptacle's interior contour. The lock and release member may include an arcuate sidewall moveable between a first location, at which the sidewall overlays the laterally facing opening, and a second location, at which the sidewall is located proximal to the opening.

Abstract: A system for delivering an implantable medical device includes a loading assembly and a catheter. The loading assembly includes a deployment member and a sidewall defining a chamber into which the device may be pulled through a distal opening thereof, so that the sidewall holds fingers of the device's fixation member in an extended condition while a temperature in the chamber is lowered. When the chamber is connected to the catheter, advancing the deployment member pushes the device, with fixation fingers in the extended condition, into a delivery lumen of the catheter. With the catheter positioned within a patient, the device can be pushed into a distal portion of the catheter while a relatively cold fluid is infused through the delivery lumen. While holding the deployment member in place, retracting the catheter exposes the device fixation fingers out from the lumen, for engagement with tissue at the implant site.