Fixation component for multi-electrode implantable medical device

Abstract

An example fixation component for an implantable medical device (IMD) includes a base and tines extending from the base and being spaced apart from one another. The tines include a penetrator tine and a protector tine. The penetrator tine includes a curved section defining a deformable preset curvature that extends laterally from a proximal section that is fixed to the base, traversing a longitudinal axis of the fixation component, to a distal section that terminates in an incisive distal end that is configured to penetrate a tissue to form a puncture. The protector tine includes a curved section defining a deformable preset curvature that extends from a proximal section that is fixed to the base, outward from the longitudinal axis, to a distal section that terminates in a non-incisive distal end that is configured to pass through the puncture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fixation component for an implantable medical device (IMD), comprising:
 a base defining a longitudinal axis of the fixation component, wherein the base is configured to be fixedly attached to the IMD; and   a plurality of tines configured to affix the fixation component to a tissue, wherein the plurality of tines extends laterally from the base along a reference plane transverse to the longitudinal axis in a same direction relative to the base.   
     
     
         2 . The fixation component of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tines comprises:
 a penetrator tine extending from the base along the reference plane and in the same direction, wherein the penetrator tine terminates in an incisive distal end, wherein the incisive distal end is configured to penetrate the tissue to form a puncture; and   a protector tine extending from the base along the reference plane in the same direction, wherein the protector tine is configured to urge a leadlet of the IMD into the puncture.   
     
     
         3 . The fixation component of  claim 2 , wherein when the protector tine is in a deformed configuration, the protector tine is configured to urge the leadlet into the puncture by urging the leadlet of the IMD toward the penetrator tine. 
     
     
         4 . The fixation component of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the same direction comprises a first direction,   wherein a first tine extends away from the base along the reference plane and in a second direction separate from the first direction,   wherein a second tine extends away from the base along the reference plane and in a third direction separate from the second direction, and   wherein one or more of a second reference axis extending along the second direction or a third reference axis extending along the third direction is separated from a first reference axis extending along the first direction by an angle of up to 60 degrees.   
     
     
         5 . The fixation component of  claim 4 , wherein the angle comprises a first angle, and wherein the second reference axis is separated from the third reference axis by an angle of up to 120 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The fixation component of  claim 4 , wherein a plurality of support tines comprises the first tine and the second tine, and wherein each support tine is configured to engage with the tissue when a penetrator tine of the plurality of tines penetrates the tissue. 
     
     
         7 . The fixation component of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the same direction comprises a first direction,   wherein a proximal section of each tine of the plurality of tines extends from the base and along the reference plane in a second direction, and   wherein a curved section of each tine extending from the proximal section of each tine and a distal section of each tine extending from the curved section of each tine extends along the reference plane in the first direction, and wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.   
     
     
         8 . The fixation component of  claim 7 , wherein a reference axis extending along the first direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The fixation component of  claim 7 , wherein a reference axis extending along the first direction is separated from the longitudinal axis by an angle of up to 5 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The fixation component of  claim 7 , wherein the first direction and the second direction are separated by an angle of about 90 degrees to about 145 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . An implantable medical device (IMD), comprising:
 a housing extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end;   an elongate leadlet mounted in proximity to the distal end of the housing and extending distally from the housing, wherein a distal end of the leadlet comprises a first electrode;   a second electrode mounted in proximity to the distal end of the housing; and   a fixation component comprising:
 a base defining a longitudinal axis of the fixation component, wherein the base is configured to be fixedly attached to the IMD; and 
 a plurality of tines configured to affix the fixation component to a tissue, wherein the plurality of tines extends laterally from the base along a reference plane transverse to the longitudinal axis in a same direction relative to the base. 
   
     
     
         12 . The IMD of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of tines comprises:
 a penetrator tine extending from the base along the reference plane and in the same direction, wherein the penetrator tine terminates in an incisive distal end, wherein the incisive distal is configured to penetrate the tissue to form a puncture; and   a protector tine extending from the base along the reference plane in the same direction, wherein the protector tine is configured to urge the first electrode into the puncture.   
     
     
         13 . The IMD of  claim 12 , wherein when the protector tine is in a deformed configuration, the protector tine is configured to urge the elongate leadlet towards the penetrator tine. 
     
     
         14 . The IMD of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the same direction comprises a first direction,   wherein a first tine extends away from the base along the reference and in a second direction separate from the first direction,   wherein a second tine extends away from the base along the reference plane and in a third direction separate from the second direction, and   wherein one or more of a second reference axis extending along the second direction or a third reference axis extending along the third direction is separated from a reference axis extending along the first direction by an angle of up to 60 degrees.   
     
     
         15 . The IMD of  claim 14 , wherein the angle comprises a first angle, and wherein the second reference axis is separated from the third reference axis by an angle of up to 120 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The IMD of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the same direction comprises a first direction,   wherein a proximal section of each tine of the plurality of tines extends from the based and along the reference plane in a second direction, and   wherein a curved section of each tine extending from the proximal section of each tine extending from the proximal section of each tine and a distal section of each tine extending from the curved section of each tine extends along the reference plane in the first direction, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.   
     
     
         17 . A medical device system comprising:
 an implantable medical device (IMD) comprising:
 a housing extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end; 
 an elongate leadlet mounted in proximity to the distal end of the housing and extending distally from the housing, wherein a distal end of the leadlet comprises a first electrode; 
 a second electrode mounted in proximity to the distal end of the housing; and 
 a fixation component comprising a base in proximity to the distal end of the housing and a plurality of tines fixedly attached spaced from one another around a perimeter of the distal end of the housing; and 
   a delivery tool comprising a tubular sidewall that defines a lumen into which the IMD may be loaded, wherein the lumen having a distal opening through which the IMD may be deployed, and wherein the delivery tool is configured to retain the plurality of tines in a deformed configuration,   wherein the plurality of tines extend laterally from the base along a reference plane transverse to the longitudinal axis in a same direction relative to the base.   
     
     
         18 . The medical device system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of tines comprises:
 a penetrator tine extending from the base along the reference plane and in the same direction, wherein the penetrator tine terminates in an incisive distal end, wherein the incisive distal end is configured to penetrate the tissue to form a puncture; and   a protector tine extending from the base along the reference plane in the same direction, wherein the protector tine is configured to urge the first electrode into the puncture.   
     
     
         19 . The medical device system of  claim 18 , wherein when the protector tine is in the deformed configuration, the protector tine is configured to urge he elongated leadlet towards the penetrator tine. 
     
     
         20 . The medical device system of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the same direction comprises a first direction,   wherein a first tine extends away from the base along the reference plane and in a second direction separate from the first direction,   wherein a second tine extends away from the base along the reference plane and in a third direction separate from the second direction, and   wherein one or more of a second reference axis extending along the second direction or a third reference axis extending along the third direction is separated from a first reference axis extending along the first direction by an angle of up to 60 degrees.