Leadless cardiac pacing devices

Abstract

Implantable leadless pacing devices and medical device systems including an implantable leadless pacing device are disclosed. An example implantable leadless pacing device may include a pacing capsule. The pacing capsule may include a housing. The housing may have a proximal region and a distal region. A first electrode may be disposed along the distal region. One or more anchoring members may be coupled to the distal region. The anchoring members may each include a region with a compound curve.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure pertains to medical devices, and methods for manufacturing medical devices. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to leadless cardiac pacing devices.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of medical devices have been developed for medical use, for example, cardiac use. Some of these devices include catheters, leads, pacemakers, and the like. These devices are manufactured by any one of a variety of different manufacturing methods and may be used according to any one of a variety of methods. Of the known medical devices and methods, each has certain advantages and disadvantages. There is an ongoing need to provide alternative medical devices as well as alternative methods for manufacturing and using medical devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device may include an implantable leadless pacing device. The implantable leadless pacing device may include a pacing capsule. The pacing capsule may include a housing. The housing may have a proximal region and a distal region. A first electrode may be disposed along the distal region. One or more anchoring members may be coupled to the distal region. The anchoring members may each include a region with a compound curve.

An implantable leadless pacing device system may include a delivery catheter having a proximal region, a distal holding section, and a lumen formed therein. A push member may be slidably disposed within the lumen. A leadless pacing device may be slidably received within the distal holding section. The leadless pacing device may include a housing having a proximal region and a distal region. A first electrode may be disposed along the distal region. A plurality of anchoring members including a first anchoring member may be coupled to the distal region. The first anchoring member may be capable of shifting between a first configuration when the leadless pacing device is disposed within the distal holding section and a second configuration when the leadless pacing device is advanced out from the distal holding section. The distal holding section may have a longitudinal axis. The first anchoring member may be arranged substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis when the first anchoring member is in the first configuration. The first anchoring member may include a region with a compound curve when the first anchoring member is in the second configuration.

Another example implantable leadless pacing device system may include a delivery catheter having a proximal region, a distal holding section, and a lumen formed therein. A push member may be slidably disposed within the lumen. A leadless pacing device may be slidably received within the distal holding section. The leadless pacing device may include a housing having a proximal region and a distal region. A first electrode may be disposed along the distal region. A plurality of anchoring members including a first anchoring member may be coupled to the distal region. The first anchoring member may be capable of shifting between a first configuration when the leadless pacing device is disposed within the distal holding section and a second configuration when the leadless pacing device is advanced out from the distal holding section. A contact section of the first anchoring member may contact an inner wall surface of the distal holding section when the first anchoring member is in the first configuration. The contact section may be positioned proximally of a distal end of the first anchoring member. The first anchoring member may include a region with a compound curve when the first anchoring member is in the second configuration.

The above summary of some embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example leadless pacing device implanted within a heart;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example leadless pacing device;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken through line 3A-3A;

FIG. 3B is an alternative cross-sectional view;

FIG. 3C is an alternative cross-sectional view;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an example medical device system positioned adjacent to a cardiac tissue;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an example leadless pacing device attached to a cardiac tissue;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of another example medical device system positioned adjacent to a cardiac tissue; and

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional side view of another example medical device system positioned adjacent to a cardiac tissue.

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification.

All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the terms “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

It is noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “other embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include one or more particular features, structures, and/or characteristics. However, such recitations do not necessarily mean that all embodiments include the particular features, structures, and/or characteristics. Additionally, when particular features, structures, and/or characteristics are described in connection with one embodiment, it should be understood that such features, structures, and/or characteristics may also be used connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described unless clearly stated to the contrary.

The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered the same. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Cardiac pacemakers provide electrical stimulation to heart tissue to cause the heart to contract and thus pump blood through the vascular system. Conventional pacemakers typically include an electrical lead that extends from a pulse generator implanted subcutaneously or sub-muscularly to an electrode positioned adjacent the inside or outside wall of the cardiac chamber. As an alternative to conventional pacemakers, self-contained or leadless cardiac pacemakers have been proposed. A leadless cardiac pacemaker may take the form of a relatively small capsule that may be fixed to an intracardiac implant site in a cardiac chamber. It can be readily appreciated that the implantation of a leadless pacing device within a beating heart could become dislodged as the heart functions. Accordingly, it may be desirable for a leadless pacing device to include an anchoring mechanism and/or one or more anchoring members to help securing the pacing device to the heart.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example implantable leadless cardiac pacing device 10 implanted in a chamber of a heart H such as, for example, the right ventricle RV. Device may include a shell or housing 12 having a distal region 14 and a proximal region 16. One or more anchoring members 18 may be disposed adjacent to distal region 14. Anchoring members 18 may be used to attach device 10 to a tissue wall of the heart H, or otherwise anchor implantable device 10 to the anatomy of the patient. A docking member 20 may be disposed adjacent to proximal region 16 of housing 12. Docking member 20 may be utilized to facilitate delivery and/or retrieval of implantable device 10.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of device 10. Here it can be seen that docking member 20 may extend from proximal region 16 of housing 12. In at least some embodiments, docking member 20 may include a head portion 22 and a neck portion 24 extending between housing 12 and head portion 22. Head portion 22 may be capable of engaging with a delivery and/or retrieval catheter. For example, if it is desired to retrieve device 10 from the patient, a retrieval catheter may be advanced to a position adjacent to device 10. A retrieval mechanism such as a snare, tether, arm, or other suitable structure may extend from the retrieval catheter and engage head portion 22. When suitably engaged, device 10 may be pulled from the cardiac tissue and, ultimately, removed from the patient.

The implantable device 10 may include a first electrode 26 positioned adjacent to the distal region 14 of the housing 12. A second electrode 28 may also be defined along housing 12. For example, housing 12 may include a conductive material and may be insulated along a portion of its length. A section along proximal region 16 may be free of insulation so as to define second electrode 28. Electrodes 26/28 may be sensing and/or pacing electrodes to provide electro-therapy and/or sensing capabilities. First electrode 26 may be capable of being positioned against or otherwise contact the cardiac tissue of the heart H while second electrode 28 may be spaced away from the first electrode 26, and thus spaced away from the cardiac tissue.

Device 10 may also include a pulse generator (e.g., electrical circuitry) and a power source (e.g., a battery) within housing 12 to provide electrical signals to electrodes 26/28. Electrical communication between pulse generator and electrodes 26/28 may provide electrical stimulation to heart tissue and/or sense a physiological condition.

As the name suggest, anchoring members 18 may be used to anchor device 10 to the target tissue. A suitable number of anchoring members 18 may be used with device 10. For example, device 10 may include one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more anchoring members. In at least some embodiments, anchoring members 18 may take the form of grappling hooks that are capable of piercing the cardiac tissue, looping through a portion of the cardiac tissue, and then extending back out from the cardiac tissue. In doing so, it may be desirable for anchoring members 18 to have relatively shallow penetration into the cardiac tissue. In addition, it may be desirable for anchoring members 18 to be arranged so as to be spaced from first electrode 26. Other configurations are contemplated.

In order to achieve these and other goals, anchoring members 18 may have a compound curved structure. For the purposes of this disclosure, a compound curved structure may be understood as a structure that includes a plurality of different curved regions. For example, at least some of the anchoring members 18 may include a base region 30, a first curved region 32, a generally straight region 34, a second curved region 36, and an end region 38. Base region 30 may be positioned at the junction between anchoring members 18 and housing 12. In some embodiments, base region 30 may be fixed to housing 12. In other embodiments, base region 30 may be pivotably attached to housing 12. According to these embodiments, base region 30 may have some freedom of movement relative to housing 12. In some instance, an actuation mechanism may be coupled to anchoring members 18 so that a clinician may pivot anchoring members 18 during an implantation procedure. For example, a translatable mechanical feature such as a wire, tether, or the like may be coupled to housing 12 that is capable of transmitting motion to anchoring members 18.

First curved region 32 may curve away from housing 12. In other words, the curvature of first curved region 32 may result in at least a portion of anchoring members 18 becoming positioned progressively further radially away from housing 12. For example, it may be desirable for anchoring members 18 to extend or otherwise be positioned laterally as far away from first electrode 26 as possible so as to minimize tissue irritation adjacent to where first electrode 26 contacts the wall of the heart. In addition, the curvature of first curved region 32 (and/or other regions of anchoring members 18) may be capable of secured holding device to the wall of the heart while having a relatively shallow penetration into the tissue. Shallow penetration may help to reduce local tissue irritation and/or injury of the heart wall.

In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of first curved region 32 may be constant. In other embodiments, the radius of curvature may vary along first curved region 32. For example, first curved region 32 may include a parabolic curve, hyperbolic curve, exponential curve, a curve defined by a first order polynomial, a curve defined by a second order polynomial, a curve defined by a third order polynomial, a curve defined by a fourth order or greater polynomial, etc. First curved region 32 may lie fully within a single plane (e.g., first curved region 32 may extend in only two dimension) or first curved region 32 may lie within more than one plane (e.g., first curved region 32 may extend in three dimensions). These are just examples. Other curves, shapes, configurations, etc. are contemplated.

Generally straight region 34, as the name suggests, may be substantially free from a curve. Generally straight region 34 may have a suitable length. For example, in some embodiments it may be desirable for greater separation between first curved region 32 and second curved region 36. In such embodiments, it may be desirable for generally straight region 34 to have a relatively longer length. In other embodiments, less separation may be desired between curved portions 32/36 and, thus, generally straight region 34 may be relatively short. In still other embodiments, anchoring members 18 may lack generally straight region 34. In other words, first curved region 32 may be directly attached to or otherwise continuous with second curved region 36.

Second curved region 36 may curve toward housing 12. In at least some embodiments, the curvature of second curved region 36 may be oriented in the opposite direction of first curved region 32. Just like first curved region 32, second curved region 36 may have a constant or variable radius of curvature.

End region 38 may be generally straight or end region 38 may include a curve. In at least some embodiments, end region 38 may have a point or relatively sharpened end that may be capable of penetrating tissue.

In addition to allowing device 10 to be securely anchored to the heart of a patient, anchoring members 18 may also allow for acute repositioning of device 10. For example, device 10 may be secured to the heart of a patient via anchoring members 18. If it desired to relocate device 10, a suitable retrieval and/or repositioning device may be used to engage device 10 so that it can be repositioned (e.g., removing anchoring members 18 from the tissue and moving device 10 to another desirable location) and re-anchored.

The cross-sectional shape of anchoring members 18 may vary. For example, at least some of anchoring members 18 may have a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 3A. According to these embodiments, the width W of anchoring member 18 may be greater than the thickness T. However, in other embodiments, the thickness T may be greater than the width W. In other embodiments, at least some of anchoring members 18 may have a generally circular cross-sectional shape with a diameter D as depicted in FIG. 3B. Other cross-sectional shapes are contemplated. For example, anchoring members 18 can have an oval cross-sectional shape (e.g. as depicted in FIG. 3C), a semi-circular cross-sectional shape, a polygonal cross-sectional shape (e.g., triangular, square, quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.), combinations thereof (e.g., a polymeric shape with rounded edges or corners), or any other suitable shape. Anchoring members 18 may have the same cross-sectional shape along essentially the full length thereof. Alternatively, the cross-sectional shape may vary along the length of anchoring members 18. For example, portions of anchoring members 18 may have a generally non-circular cross-sectional shape and other portions of anchoring members 18 may have a generally circular cross-sectional shape. Furthermore, in some embodiments all of anchoring members 18 may have the same cross-sectional shape and/or profile. In other embodiments, the various anchoring members 18 of a given device 10 may differ from one another.

FIG. 4 illustrates a delivery catheter 100 that may be used, for example, to deliver device 10 to a suitable location within the anatomy (e.g., the heart). Catheter 100 may include a proximal member or region 140 and a distal member or holding section 146. A push member 142 may be disposed (e.g., slidably disposed) within proximal region 140. A head region 144 of push member 142 may be disposed within distal holding section 146. Head region 144 may be capable of engaging docking member 20 of device 10. Push member 142 may be used to “push” device 10 out from distal holding section 146 so as to deploy and anchor device 10 within a target region 148 (e.g., a region of the heart such as the right ventricle). Catheter 100 may be advanced through the vasculature to target region 148. For example, catheter 100 may be advanced through a femoral vein, into the inferior vena cava, into the right atrium, through the tricuspid valve, and into the right ventricle. Target region 148 may be a portion of the right ventricle. For example, target region 148 may be a portion of the right ventricle near the apex of the heart. Target region 148 could also be other regions including other regions of the heart (e.g., the right atrium, the left ventricle, the left atrium), blood vessel, or other suitable targets.

Anchoring members 18 may be capable of shifting between a first configuration and a second configuration. For example, when device 10 is disposed within distal holding section 146 of delivery catheter 100, anchoring members 18 may be in the first configuration. When so configured, anchoring members 18 may extend distally from device 10 in a generally more straightened configuration. In other words, anchoring members 18 may be oriented in the distal direction. For example, catheter 100 may have a longitudinal axis X and anchoring members 18 may corresponding longitudinal axis Y that is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis X of catheter 100. However, anchoring members 18 need not extend exactly parallel with the longitudinal axis X of catheter 100 and, instead, may be generally oriented in the distal direction.

When device 10 is suitably positioned adjacent to target region 148, push member 142 may be distally advanced to push device 10 distally so that anchoring members 18 engage target region 148. In doing so, anchoring members may shift to the second configuration as shown in FIG. 5. When in the second configuration, anchoring members 18 may have the compound curved configuration. The compound curve of anchoring members 18 may help to guide anchoring members 18 away laterally away from the tissue entry point and then back out of the tissue at a location that is laterally spaced from the entry point.

In at least some embodiments, anchoring members 18 may still maintain a compound curvature (e.g., albeit in an altered shape) when in the more straightened configuration. For example, when device 10 is disposed within a delivery catheter, anchoring members 18 may still maintain the compound curve. In other embodiments, one or more of curves formed in anchoring members 18 may be substantially straightened such that anchoring members 18 may be considered as no longer having a compound curve when in the more straightened configuration. When shifting to the second configuration (e.g., which may be considered a deployed, implanted, delivered, or “unbiased” configuration), anchoring members 18 may have or otherwise return to a shape that includes the compound curve.

When in the first configuration, a portion of anchoring members 18 may engage an inner wall surface of distal holding section 146. The portion of anchoring member 18 that engages the inner wall surface of distal holding section 146 may be positioned proximally of the distal end of anchoring member 18. For example, second curved region 36 may engage the inner wall surface of distal holding section 146 as shown in FIG. 4. Other arrangements are contemplated. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates device 110 (which may be similar in form and function to other devices disclosed herein) including anchoring member 118 and docking member 120. Here it can be seen that first curved region 132 may engage the inner wall surface of distal holding section 146.

FIG. 7 illustrates device 210 (which may be similar in form and function to other devices disclosed herein) including anchoring member 218 and docking member 220. In this embodiment, a section of anchoring member 218 extending from second curved region 232 to tip 238 may lie flat against the inner wall surface of distal holding section 146.

The materials that can be used for the various components of device 10 and catheter 100 (and/or other devices/catheters disclosed herein) may include those commonly associated with medical devices. For example, device 10 and/or catheter 100 may be made from a metal, metal alloy, polymer (some examples of which are disclosed below), a metal-polymer composite, ceramics, combinations thereof, and the like, or other suitable material. Some examples of suitable polymers may include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyoxymethylene (POM, for example, DELRIN® available from DuPont), polyether block ester, polyurethane (for example, Polyurethane 85A), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyether-ester (for example, ARNITEL® available from DSM Engineering Plastics), ether or ester based copolymers (for example, butylene/poly(alkylene ether) phthalate and/or other polyester elastomers such as HYTREL® available from DuPont), polyamide (for example, DURETHAN® available from Bayer or CRISTAMID® available from Elf Atochem), elastomeric polyamides, block polyamide/ethers, polyether block amide (PEBA, for example available under the trade name PEBAX®), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), silicones, polyethylene (PE), Marlex high-density polyethylene, Marlex low-density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene (for example REXELL®), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyimide (PI), polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), poly paraphenylene terephthalamide (for example, KEVLAR®), polysulfone, nylon, nylon-12 (such as GRILAMID® available from EMS American Grilon), perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether) (PFA), ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyolefin, polystyrene, epoxy, polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC), poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (for example, SIBS and/or SIBS 50A), polycarbonates, ionomers, biocompatible polymers, other suitable materials, or mixtures, combinations, copolymers thereof, polymer/metal composites, and the like. In some embodiments the sheath can be blended with a liquid crystal polymer (LCP). For example, the mixture can contain up to about 6 percent LCP.

Some examples of suitable metals and metal alloys include stainless steel, such as 304V, 304L, and 316LV stainless steel; mild steel; nickel-titanium alloy such as linear-elastic and/or super-elastic nitinol; other nickel alloys such as nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: N06625 such as INCONEL® 625, UNS: N06022 such as HASTELLOY® C-22®, UNS: N10276 such as HASTELLOY® C276®, other HASTELLOY® alloys, and the like), nickel-copper alloys (e.g., UNS: N04400 such as MONEL® 400, NICKELVAC® 400, NICORROS® 400, and the like), nickel-cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30035 such as MP35-N® and the like), nickel-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: N10665 such as HASTELLOY® ALLOY B2®), other nickel-chromium alloys, other nickel-molybdenum alloys, other nickel-cobalt alloys, other nickel-iron alloys, other nickel-copper alloys, other nickel-tungsten or tungsten alloys, and the like; cobalt-chromium alloys; cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30003 such as ELGILOY®, PHYNOX®, and the like); platinum enriched stainless steel; titanium; combinations thereof; and the like; or any other suitable material.

As alluded to herein, within the family of commercially available nickel-titanium or nitinol alloys, is a category designated “linear elastic” or “non-super-elastic” which, although may be similar in chemistry to conventional shape memory and super elastic varieties, may exhibit distinct and useful mechanical properties. Linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol may be distinguished from super elastic nitinol in that the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol does not display a substantial “superelastic plateau” or “flag region” in its stress/strain curve like super elastic nitinol does. Instead, in the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol, as recoverable strain increases, the stress continues to increase in a substantially linear, or a somewhat, but not necessarily entirely linear relationship until plastic deformation begins or at least in a relationship that is more linear that the super elastic plateau and/or flag region that may be seen with super elastic nitinol. Thus, for the purposes of this disclosure linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol may also be termed “substantially” linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol.

In some cases, linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol may also be distinguishable from super elastic nitinol in that linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol may accept up to about 2-5% strain while remaining substantially elastic (e.g., before plastically deforming) whereas super elastic nitinol may accept up to about 8% strain before plastically deforming. Both of these materials can be distinguished from other linear elastic materials such as stainless steel (that can also can be distinguished based on its composition), which may accept only about 0.2 to 0.44 percent strain before plastically deforming.

In some embodiments, the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy is an alloy that does not show any martensite/austenite phase changes that are detectable by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic metal thermal analysis (DMTA) analysis over a large temperature range. For example, in some embodiments, there may be no martensite/austenite phase changes detectable by DSC and DMTA analysis in the range of about −60 degrees Celsius (° C.) to about 120° C. in the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. The mechanical bending properties of such material may therefore be generally inert to the effect of temperature over this very broad range of temperature. In some embodiments, the mechanical bending properties of the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy at ambient or room temperature are substantially the same as the mechanical properties at body temperature, for example, in that they do not display a super-elastic plateau and/or flag region. In other words, across a broad temperature range, the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy maintains its linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic characteristics and/or properties.

In some embodiments, the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy may be in the range of about 50 to about 60 weight percent nickel, with the remainder being essentially titanium. In some embodiments, the composition is in the range of about 54 to about 57 weight percent nickel. One example of a suitable nickel-titanium alloy is FHP-NT alloy commercially available from Furukawa Techno Material Co. of Kanagawa, Japan. Some examples of nickel titanium alloys are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,238,004 and 6,508,803, which are incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable materials may include ULTANIUM™ (available from Neo-Metrics) and GUM METAL™ (available from Toyota). In some other embodiments, a superelastic alloy, for example a superelastic nitinol can be used to achieve desired properties.

In at least some embodiments, portions or all of device 10 and/or catheter 100 may also be doped with, made of, or otherwise include a radiopaque material. Radiopaque materials are understood to be materials capable of producing a relatively bright image on a fluoroscopy screen or another imaging technique during a medical procedure. This relatively bright image aids the user of device 10 and/or catheter 100 in determining its location. Some examples of radiopaque materials can include, but are not limited to, gold, platinum, palladium, tantalum, tungsten alloy, polymer material loaded with a radiopaque filler, and the like. Additionally, other radiopaque marker bands and/or coils may also be incorporated into the design of device 10 and/or catheter 100 to achieve the same result.

In some embodiments, a degree of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) compatibility is imparted into device 10 and/or catheter 100. For example, device 10 and/or catheter 100 (or portions thereof) may be made of a material that does not substantially distort the image and create substantial artifacts (i.e., gaps in the image). Certain ferromagnetic materials, for example, may not be suitable because they may create artifacts in an MRI image. Device 10 and/or catheter 100 (or portions thereof) may also be made from a material that the MRI machine can image. Some materials that exhibit these characteristics include, for example, tungsten, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30003 such as ELGILOY®, PHYNOX®, and the like), nickel-cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30035 such as MP35-N® and the like), nitinol, and the like, and others.

It should be understood that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of steps without exceeding the scope of the disclosure. This may include, to the extent that it is appropriate, the use of any of the features of one example embodiment being used in other embodiments. The invention's scope is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A method of implanting a leadless pacing device, comprising: positioning a distal end of a distal holding section of a delivery catheter against a heart wall with the leadless pacing device positioned within the distal holding section, wherein the leadless pacing device includes: a housing containing electrical circuitry and a power supply therein;an electrode in electrical communication with the electrical circuitry; anda plurality of anchoring members coupled to the housing for engaging the housing to the heart wall, each of the plurality of anchoring members having a first, delivery configuration when positioned within the distal holding section of the delivery catheter, each anchoring member including: a base region fixedly attached to the housing;a distal tip located distal of a distal end of the housing in the first configuration; andan engaging portion located between the base region and the distal tip, wherein the engaging portion is engaged against an inner surface of the distal holding section while the distal tip is spaced away from the inner surface of the distal holding section in the first configuration;thereafter, expelling the leadless pacing device from the distal end of the distal holding section such that the plurality of anchoring members penetrate into the heart wall.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal tip of each of the plurality of anchoring members penetrates into the heart wall while the engaging portion of each of the plurality of anchoring members remains engaged against the inner surface of the distal holding section.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of anchoring members transition to a second configuration when expelled from the distal end of the distal holding section.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of anchoring members includes a compound curvature in the second configuration.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the compound curvature includes a first curved region and a second curved region, wherein the second curved region is positioned between the first curved region and the distal tip.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the engaging portion is an outermost convex surface of the second curved region in the first configuration.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein a curvature of the second curved region is opposite a curvature of the first curved region.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the curvature of the first curved region has a radius of curvature that varies.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the curvature of the second curved region has a radius of curvature that varies.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the curvature of the second curved region has a constant radius of curvature.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the second configuration is an equilibrium configuration.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal tip is tapered.

13. A method of implanting a leadless pacing device, comprising: positioning a distal end of a distal holding section of a delivery catheter against a heart wall with the leadless pacing device positioned within the distal holding section, wherein the leadless pacing device includes: a housing containing electrical circuitry and a power supply therein;an electrode in electrical communication with the electrical circuitry; anda plurality of anchoring members coupled to the housing for engaging the housing to the heart wall, each of the plurality of anchoring members having a first, delivery configuration when positioned within the distal holding section of the delivery catheter, each anchoring member including: a base region fixedly attached to the housing;a distal tip located distal of a distal end of the housing in the first configuration; andan engaging portion located between the base region and the distal tip, wherein the engaging portion is engaged against an inner surface of the distal holding section while the distal tip is spaced away from the inner surface of the distal holding section in the first configuration;moving the leadless pacing device distally within the distal holding section to expel the leadless pacing device from the distal end of the distal holding section, wherein the step of moving the leadless pacing device distally within the distal holding section includes sliding the engaging portion of each of the plurality of anchoring members against the inner surface of the distal holding section while the distal tip of each of the plurality of anchoring members remains spaced away from the inner surface of the distal holding section.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the distal tip of each of the plurality of anchoring members penetrates into the heart wall while the engaging portion of each of the plurality of anchoring members remains engaged against the inner surface of the distal holding section.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of anchoring members transition to a second configuration when expelled from the distal end of the distal holding section.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of anchoring members includes a compound curvature in the second configuration.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the compound curvature includes a first curved region and a second curved region, wherein the second curved region is positioned between the first curved region and the distal tip.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the engaging portion is an outermost convex surface of the second curved region in the first configuration.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein a curvature of the second curved region is opposite a curvature of the first curved region.

20. A method of implanting a leadless pacing device, comprising: positioning a distal end of a distal holding section of a delivery catheter against a heart wall with the leadless pacing device positioned within the distal holding section, wherein the leadless pacing device includes: a housing containing electrical circuitry and a power supply therein;an electrode in electrical communication with the electrical circuitry; anda plurality of anchoring members coupled to the housing for engaging the housing to the heart wall, each of the plurality of anchoring members having a first, delivery configuration when positioned within the distal holding section of the delivery catheter, each anchoring member including: a base region fixedly attached to the housing;a distal tip located distal of a distal end of the housing in the first configuration; andan engaging portion located between the base region and the distal tip, wherein the engaging portion is engaged against an inner surface of the distal holding section while the distal tip is spaced away from the inner surface of the distal holding section in the first configuration;moving the leadless pacing device distally within the distal holding section such that the distal tip of each of the plurality of anchoring members penetrates into the heart wall while the engaging portion of each of the plurality of anchoring members remains engaged against the inner surface of the distal holding section.