Systems and methods for implanting an implantable cardiac monitor

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for implanting an implantable cardiac monitor. An injection system includes an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM), a plunger, a plunger handle coupled the plunger, and an injector housing. The injector housing includes a tube extending from a first end of the injector housing to a second end of the injector housing, the tube configured to receive the ICM and the plunger, and at least one leaflet formed at the second end of the injector housing, the at least one leaflet configured to rotate outward when a user operates the plunger handle to push the ICM through the injector housing second end via the plunger.

1 . An injection system comprising:
 an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM);   a plunger;   a plunger handle coupled the plunger; and   an injector housing comprising:
 a tube extending from a first end of the injector housing to a second end of the injector housing, the tube configured to receive the ICM and the plunger; and 
 at least one leaflet formed at the second end of the injector housing, the at least one leaflet configured to rotate outward when a user operates the plunger handle to push the ICM through the injector housing second end via the plunger. 
   
     
     
         2 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one leaflet includes a plurality of triangular leaflets that taper to a point at the injector housing second end. 
     
     
         3 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one leaflet comprises four leaflets. 
     
     
         4 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the plunger handle comprises a first annular portion and a second annular portion, wherein the first annular portion has a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the tube, and wherein the second annular portion has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the tube. 
     
     
         5 . The injection system of  claim 4 , wherein the injector housing is sized such that the ICM is fully deployed from the injector housing when the second annular portion contacts the injector housing first end. 
     
     
         6 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one leaflet is configured to rotate outwardly to prop open an incision made in a patient. 
     
     
         7 . The injection system of  claim 1 , wherein the tube comprises:
 a first tube portion having a first inner diameter; and   a second tube portion having a second inner diameter, wherein the first inner diameter is larger than the second inner diameter, and wherein the second inner diameter is smaller than a diameter of the ICM.   
     
     
         8 . A method for operating an injection system, the method comprising:
 inserting an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) into a tube of an injector housing, wherein the tube extends from a first end of the injector housing to a second end of the injector housing, and wherein the second end of the injector housing includes at least one leaflet configured to rotate outward when the ICM is pushed through the injector housing second end; and   inserting a plunger into the tube, wherein the plunger is coupled to a plunger handle.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 making an incision in a patient;   inserting at least a portion of the injector housing into the incision; and   depressing the plunger handle to push the ICM through the injector housing second end and into the patient via the plunger.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein depressing the plunger handle comprises depressing the plunger handle such that the ICM rotates the at least one leaflet outward to prop open the incision. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein depressing the plunger handle comprises depressing the plunger handle until the plunger handle contacts the injector housing first end. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein inserting an ICM comprises inserting the ICM into a tube of an injector housing that includes a plurality of triangular leaflets that taper to a point at the injector housing second end. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein inserting an ICM comprises inserting the ICM into a tube of an injector housing that includes four leaflets. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein inserting an ICM comprises inserting the ICM into a tube that includes a first tube portion having a first inner diameter, and a second tube portion having a second inner diameter, wherein the first inner diameter is larger than the second inner diameter, and wherein the second inner diameter is smaller than a diameter of the ICM. 
     
     
         15 . An injection system comprising:
 an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM);   an obturator comprising:
 a tip; 
 a handle; and 
 a shaft extending between the tip and the handle; and 
   an injector housing comprising:
 a tube extending from a first end of the injector housing to a second end of the injector housing, the tube configured to receive the obturator; and 
 a receptacle in communication with the tube and an external environment, the receptacle configured to receive the ICM. 
   
     
     
         16 . The injection system of  claim 15 , wherein the tube comprises:
 a first tube portion having a first inner diameter; and   a second tube portion having a second inner diameter, wherein the first inner diameter is smaller than the second inner diameter.   
     
     
         17 . The injection system of  claim 16 , wherein the receptacle is in direct communication with the second tube portion. 
     
     
         18 . The injection system of  claim 15 , wherein the receptacle comprises a plurality of protrusions configured to retain the ICM in the receptacle. 
     
     
         19 . The injection system of  claim 15 , wherein the obturator tip is shaped to perform blunt dissection of tissue. 
     
     
         20 . The injection system of  claim 19 , wherein the obturator tip has one of a tapered conical shape, a duckbill shape, an oval shape, a wedge shape, and a hook shape. 
     
     
         21 . The injection system of  claim 19 , wherein the injector housing further comprises an indicator proximate the injector housing first end, the indicator facilitating alignment of the injector housing with an incision made in a patient. 
     
     
         22 . A method for operating an injection system, the method comprising:
 inserting an obturator into a tube of an injector housing such that the obturator extends from a first end of the injector housing to a second end of the injector housing; and   inserting an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) into a receptacle of the injector housing, wherein the receptacle is in communication with the tube of the injector housing.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 making an incision in a patient;   inserting at least a portion of the injector housing into the incision;   withdrawing the obturator from the tube in a first direction until the ICM drops into the tube; and   advancing the obturator in a second direction opposite the first direction to discharge the ICM from the tube.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising aligning an indicator formed proximate the injector housing first end with the incision prior to advancing the obturator. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising performing blunt dissection on tissue of the patient using a tip of the obturator. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein inserting an obturator comprises inserting the obturator into a tube that includes a first tube portion having a first inner diameter, and a second tube portion having a second inner diameter, wherein the first inner diameter is smaller than the second inner diameter. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein inserting an ICM comprises inserting the ICM into a receptacle that includes a plurality of protrusions configured to retain the ICM in the receptacle. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein inserting an obturator comprises inserting an obturator that includes a tip having one of a tapered conical shape, a duckbill shape, an oval shape, a wedge shape, and a hook shape.