The present invention generally relates to leadless pacemaker devices for facilitating regulation of a patient's heart rate and to methods of implanting and using such devices. In one embodiment, the pacemaker device includes a first and a second expandable structure connected by a neck region. A pacemaker unit is contained within one of the expandable structures and a power source is contained within the other of the expandable structures and is electrically connected to the pacemaker unit.

An implantable medical device includes a device housing, a fixation device, a first prong projecting from a proximal end of the device housing and a second prong projecting from the proximal end of the device housing. The second prong is spaced apart from the first prong. The first prong includes a first flange projecting away from a longitudinal axis of the device housing. The second prong includes a second flange projecting away from the longitudinal axis. The first prong and the second prong are configured to extend to a first flange diameter in a relaxed configuration and to extend to a second flange diameter in an expanded configuration.

Disclosed are various configurations of electrodes with accompanying extensions and wires configured to be attached at or near the left atrium of a heart to allow the device to be held snug against the endocardium and out of the blood flow for low energy defibrillation of the atria in response to atrial fibrillation or other atrial arrhythmias. The portion of the lead internal to the atrium (e.g., the left atrium) is restrained against the endocardium of the left atrium by way of a restraint mechanism. In one example, the electrode is configured to attach to the atrial septum, with wires containing memory-shaped metal to keep the wires against the heart wall. In yet another example, the electrode is configured to be part of a mitral valve device.

In some examples, a tether head assembly of a delivery system includes an inner retainer and an outer retainer that defines an aperture comprising a receptacle configured to receive an attachment member of a medical device, a passageway, and a groove. The inner retainer is movable within the groove between a second position in which the passageway is dimensioned to receive the attachment member and a first position in which the passageway is dimensioned to prevent passage of the attachment member. In some examples, a tether handle assembly defines a channel, a force transmitter within the channel, a slidable member partially received within a first end of the channel and a button partially received within a second end of the channel. Distally-directed force applied to the button may cause the force transmitter to apply proximally-directed force to the slidable member, moving the slidable member and an attached pull wire proximally.

A device for circulatory support of the heart with holding means implanted intracardially in the left or right ventricular outflow of the hea by catheter, using an endovascular method, through a femoral access or a percutaneous transventricular, transseptal, transapical or transvenous access, the holding means comprises anchoring means fixed in the subcommissural triangle underneath the aortic valve and the pulmonary valve, in the flow direction of the blood on the ventricular side of the aortic valve and the pulmonary valve, a pump fixed in the holding means by a catheter, using an endovascular method, through a femoral access or a percutaneous transventricular, transseptal, transapical or transvenous access, the pump could be inserted releasably into the holding means after the holding means has been fixed by the anchoring means in the subcommissural triangles underneath the aortic valve and the pulmonary valve, or is connected to the collapsible and expandable anchoring means.

Systems and methods for implanting a medical device include an implantable lead comprising a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end. The implantable lead has electrodes positioned at the distal end and has a lead connector positioned at the proximal end. The lead connector includes lead contacts that are communicatively coupled to the electrodes positioned at the distal end. The lead body has a body outer envelope configured to fit within a lumen of an introducer sheath and the lead connector has a connector outer envelope configured to fit within the lumen of the introducer sheath. A pulse generator has a connector cavity. The lead adaptor is configured to interconnect the implantable lead and the pulse generator. The lead adaptor has an insertable connector that includes mating contacts and an adaptor cavity that includes cavity contacts. The cavity contacts are positioned to engage the lead contacts of the lead connector when the lead connector is inserted into the adaptor cavity. The insertable connector is configured to be inserted into the connector cavity of the pulse generator.

A catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve includes an energy source, a balloon, an energy guide, and an electrical analyzer assembly. The energy source generates energy. The balloon is positionable substantially adjacent to the treatment site. The balloon has a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid. The energy guide is configured to receive energy from the energy source and guide the energy into the balloon interior. The electrical analyzer assembly is configured to monitor a balloon condition during use of the catheter system. The electrical analyzer assembly can include a first electrode, a second electrode, and an impedance detector that is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. The impedance detector is configured to detect impedance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

A method of selecting a combination of electrodes for use in neurostimulation includes testing combinations of electrodes in an electrode array to identify an atrial capture. The atrial capture is indicated by at least one effect on an atrium. The method includes excluding electrodes with the atrial capture to result in remaining electrodes of the electrode array, testing combinations of the remaining electrodes of the electrode array for effect on cardiac contractility and/or relaxation, and selecting a combination of electrodes from the remaining electrodes. The selected combination has both a desired effect on cardiac contractility and/or relaxation and does not have an undesired side effect.

An Example tool for implanting a pacemaker lead includes a body that includes a recess, a first electrical contact positioned within the recess, and a projection coupled to the body. In addition, the tool includes a second electrical contact positioned on the projection. The recess is configured to receive the pacemaker lead therein such that a first electrode of the pacemaker lead is to engage with the first electrical contact and a second electrode of the pacemaker lead is to engage with the second electrical contact. A rotation of the tool about a central axis of the pacemaker lead is configured to rotate the first electrical contact and the first electrode together about the central axis and to slidingly engage the second electrical contact along the second electrode

A medical system including a device head configured to be positioned in an atrium of a heart, an implantable medical device configured to be positioned within a vena cava of the heart, and a lead extending from the device head to the implantable medical device. A fixation element coupled to the device head is configured to engage tissues within the atrium. The device head includes an electrode configured to deliver therapy and/or sensing signals to tissues within the atrium using stimulation signals received from processing circuitry within the implantable medical device. The medical system may include a delivery catheter configured to allow delivery of the device head to the atrium.