WO2022053677A1 - Housing fixation - Google Patents

Housing fixation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022053677A1
WO2022053677A1 PCT/EP2021/075085 EP2021075085W WO2022053677A1 WO 2022053677 A1 WO2022053677 A1 WO 2022053677A1 EP 2021075085 W EP2021075085 W EP 2021075085W WO 2022053677 A1 WO2022053677 A1 WO 2022053677A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
medical device
implantable medical
fixation
hole
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2021/075085
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ingo Weiss
Thomas PIESKE
Wiebke Neumann
Alexander HACKEBEIL
Stefan Lehmann
Original Assignee
Biotronik Se & Co. Kg
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Biotronik Se & Co. Kg filed Critical Biotronik Se & Co. Kg
Publication of WO2022053677A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022053677A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
    • A61N1/372—Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
    • A61N1/375—Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
    • A61N1/37518—Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
    • A61N1/372—Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
    • A61N1/375—Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
    • A61N1/37512—Pacemakers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/38—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for producing shock effects
    • A61N1/39—Heart defibrillators
    • A61N1/3956—Implantable devices for applying electric shocks to the heart, e.g. for cardioversion

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an implantable medical device, in particular in the form of an active implantable medical device.
  • fixation holes have been used for this purpose, which are provided in the header of the implant.
  • a one-sided punctiform attachment of the implant enables a greater freedom of movement of the device due to inadvertent and deliberate (Twiddler) position changes.
  • the possible fixation points are situated closely together, and the extension of the device creates a large lever arm, so that accordingly large forces can be introduced into the fixation.
  • an implantable medical device comprising: a housing; and a contacting unit (also referred to as a header) secured at the housing for establishing an electrically conducting connection to the implantable medical device, the implantable medical device comprising at least one first fixation element, which is arranged at the housing.
  • the at least one fixation element By suitably arranging the at least one fixation element, it is possible, in combination with further fixation elements (see below), to secure the device at the implant site in a robust manner, especially in the case of larger and elongated housing shapes.
  • the implantable medical device is preferably an active implantable medical device, that is, the device comprises a power source, which is arranged in an interior of the housing and, in particular, enables a therapeutic or diagnostic functionality of the device, or supplies it with power (for example, stimulation energy in the case of a cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator, or shock energy in the case of a cardioverter defibrillator).
  • a power source for example, stimulation energy in the case of a cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator, or shock energy in the case of a cardioverter defibrillator.
  • the active implantable medical device can in particular be a subcutaneously implantable cardioverter defibrillator, which is implanted extracardially beneath the skin, wherein electrodes of the device connected to the contacting unit (header) are arranged outside the heart of a patient or outside the vessels of the patient.
  • a subcutaneously implantable cardioverter defibrillator which is implanted extracardially beneath the skin, wherein electrodes of the device connected to the contacting unit (header) are arranged outside the heart of a patient or outside the vessels of the patient.
  • the implantable medical device comprises a second fixation element. Using a second fixation element, it is possible to prevent a rotation or position change of the medical device particularly effectively.
  • the two fixation elements are configured to secure the medical implant to the tissue of a person.
  • the second fixation element is also configured at the housing.
  • the second fixation element can be configured at the contacting unit.
  • the contacting unit has a largest dimension along one direction, wherein a distance between the first and second fixation elements is greater than this largest dimension.
  • the housing of the medical device has a largest dimension along one direction, wherein a distance between the first and second fixation elements is greater than 25 % and less than 80 % of this largest dimension. According to another embodiment the distance between the first and second fixation elements is greater than 30 % and less than 66 % of this largest dimension. According to still another embodiment the distance between the first and second fixation elements is greater than 33 % and less than 50 % of this largest dimension.
  • first and/or second fixation elements are equipped and provided to be secured to the tissue of a person by way of one of the following attachment elements: a suture or a thread, a clamp, an adhesive bond.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements are cut-resistant so that a thread used for securing the particular fixation element does not cut into the particular fixation element.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements are made of a cut-resistant material (such as a metal or a hard plastic material) to achieve the aforementioned cut resistance, and/or that the first and/or second fixation elements comprises one of the following elements to achieve the aforementioned cut resistance: an eye, a material region comprising embedded fibers.
  • a cut-resistant material such as a metal or a hard plastic material
  • the first and/or second fixation elements are configured in the form of a fixation tab, wherein the fixation tab can in particular be pierced by means of a needle and/or a clamp, without a dedicated hole being present beforehand in the particular fixation tab.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements are configured in the form of an elongated flexible element, wherein the elongated flexible element is in particular designed to be pliable, and/or wherein in particular the elongated flexible element can be sutured and/or tied.
  • first and/or second fixation elements include at least one through-hole, wherein the first and/or second fixation elements can each include further through-holes.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements are formed by a protrusion projecting from the housing or from the contacting unit, through which in particular the at least one through-hole extends.
  • the at least one through-hole of the first and/or second fixation elements extends through a section of the housing or of the contacting unit, wherein in particular this section does not project from the housing or from the contacting unit in the manner of a protrusion, but rather adjoins abutting regions of the housing or of the contacting unit in a flush manner.
  • the at least one through-hole extends along a hole axis.
  • the hole axis can extend parallel to a plane of the housing, along which the housing has a largest surface area.
  • the hole axis of the at least one through-hole is oriented at an angle of 30° to 90° with respect to a plane of the housing along which the housing has the largest surface area.
  • the particular through-hole can have a plurality of different configurations.
  • the at least one through-hole of the first and/or second fixation elements can have a cross-section that is configured in one of the following ways: circular, ellipse-like, non-circular, varying along the hole axis.
  • the hole axis of the particular through-hole extends linearly, that is, is straight, or that the hole axis is curved.
  • the at least one through-hole has an inside diameter of greater than or equal to 1 mm.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements comprise a constriction.
  • the first and the second fixation elements each comprise a constriction, wherein the constrictions of the first and second fixation elements have differing orientations.
  • Such constrictions can extend around the housing and/or the contacting unit, for example, and can also intersect one another in the process.
  • first and/or second fixation elements are non-detachably connected to the housing or the contacting unit.
  • Non-detachably shall mean that the connection can only be removed by destroying the particular fixation element and/or the housing or contacting unit.
  • a detachable connection within the meaning of the invention denotes a connection that can be detached without destroying any of the involved components.
  • first and/or second fixation elements are detachably connected to the housing or the contacting unit.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements are factory-preassembled. This advantageously makes it possible to arrange the particular fixation element in such a way with respect to the implantable medical device that a user can easily handle the particular fixation element, and in particular discard it if it is not needed.
  • first and/or second fixation elements are configured to be detachably connected by a physician to the implantable medical device.
  • the first and/or second factory-preassembled fixation elements are configured to be removed by a physician.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements form a shell, wherein the respective shell is configured to surround the housing of the implantable medical device at least in sections (so as to secure the shell to the housing), wherein fixation tabs are preferably arranged at the shell, which in turn can be secured to the tissue of a person so as to fix the medical device at the implant site.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements are implemented in the form of a net, which is configured to be fixed to the tissue of a person by way of suture threads.
  • a net is characterized by forming a plurality of cells through which a suture thread can be guided, whereby an extremely variable attachment option is created.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements are implemented in the form of a belt element, wherein the particular belt element is configured to envelop a circumference of the housing or a circumference of the implantable medical device, wherein the particular belt element optionally comprises fixation tabs, which can be fixed at the tissue of a person.
  • a material is cast around the first and/or second fixation elements, wherein in particular the cast material differs from a material of the housing of the implantable medical device.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements are applied to the housing of the implantable medical device by means of 3D printing.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements are equipped and provided to be connected to the housing or the contacting unit in one of the following ways: soldering; welding; adhesive bonding, optionally using anchors projecting into the bond; clamping.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements are configured in a form-locked manner with the housing, wherein in particular the respective fixation element comprises a clip which is arranged over a recess of the housing, following a contour of the housing.
  • the respective fixation element can include a recess of the housing which is potted in a form-locked manner with the respect to the housing, so that the recess forms a through-hole for fixing the housing at the tissue of a person.
  • the housing is created by way of deep drawing.
  • the housing can be composed of multiple parts.
  • the first or the second fixation element is created on at least one of these parts by the formation of a recess during the course of a deep drawing process.
  • first and/or second fixation elements nestle against an outer surface region of the housing and form an outer surface toward the outside, which deviates from the outer surface region of the housing, wherein the respective fixation element is optionally detachably connectable to the housing of the implantable medical device or the outer surface region, and optionally includes at least one through-hole.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements are designed as an elongated circumferential element (for example in the manner of a band or a cord), wherein the elongated circumferential element is equipped and provided to be sutured to the tissue of a person by way of suture threads, or wherein fixation tabs are provided at the elongated circumferential element, which can be fixed at the tissue of a person.
  • the elongated circumferential element is fixed at the housing and/or at the contacting unit in a punctiform manner by way of attachment elements, or that the elongated circumferential element is configured to latchingly engage in a circumferential notch of the implantable medical device, wherein in particular the elongated circumferential element comprises a core to safeguard against expansion, which is in particular made of expansion-resistant fibers.
  • the first and/or second fixation elements are made of one or more biocompatible materials or comprise one or more biocompatible materials.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of one embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising at least two fixation elements
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, a fixation element being provided at the header (contacting unit);
  • FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, wherein a distance between two fixation elements is greater than a largest dimension of the header;
  • FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising threadlike fixation elements
  • FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising a fixation element that includes a through-hole;
  • FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising differently oriented through-holes;
  • FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising a fixation element in the form of a through-hole having a variable inside diameter;
  • FIGS. 9a-9b show schematic representations of further embodiments of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising fixation elements in the form of housing constrictions;
  • FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising a fixation element that is securely connected to the housing;
  • FIGS, l la-l le show different variants for attaching fixation elements at the housing or header of the implantable medical device
  • FIGS. 12a- 12b show fixation elements configured in a form -locked manner with the housing of the implantable medical device
  • FIG. 13 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising a shelllike fixation element
  • FIGS. 14a- 14b show schematic representations of further embodiments of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising net-like or belt-like fixation elements;
  • FIGS. 15a-l 5c shows schematic representations of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising shape-imparting fixation elements;
  • FIGS. 16a- 16b show schematic representations of further embodiments of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising fixation elements in the form of circumferential elements.
  • FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an active implantable medical device 100 according to the invention, comprising a hermetically sealed housing 110 and a contacting unit 120, which is also referred to as a header and, for example, provides a terminal for electrodes.
  • the device 100 can be a subcutaneous cardioverter defibrillator, for example.
  • the device 100 furthermore comprises at least one fixation element 130, which can project from the housing 110, for example.
  • the implant 100 can comprise a fixation element 140, which is configured at the housing 110 and, for example, can be designed as a through-hole 140 extending through the housing 110.
  • FIG. 2 shows a variant embodiment of the implantable medical device 100 comprising at least one additional fixation element 131 and 141, which, as above, can project from the housing 110 or be configured at the housing 110 (for example in the form of a through-hole). In this way, a rotation about the longitudinal axis of the implantable medical device 100 is prevented.
  • FIG. 3 shows a variant embodiment comprising at least one further fixation element 200, which is provided at the contacting unit 120 and, for example, can again be designed as a through-hole 200 extending through the contacting unit 120 here.
  • FIG. 4 shows a variant in which the distance 420 between the fixation elements 140, 141 is greater than a largest dimension 410 of the contacting unit 120.
  • FIG. 5 shows a variant embodiment of the implantable medical device 100 comprising thread-like fixation elements 500, 501.
  • the structures 500, 501 can be configured both at the contacting unit 120 and at any arbitrary position of the housing 110.
  • the variant embodiment of the fixation element 130 shown in FIG. 6 includes at least one through-hole 600, 601, which can be arbitrarily positioned in the (for example factory- preassembled ) fixation element 130.
  • FIG. 7 shows a variant of the fixation element in which the orientation (that is, the hole axis 740) of the through-hole 710 extends parallel to the plane 730 of the largest surface area of the housing 110.
  • the hole axis 740 of the through- hole 700 of the fixation element is oriented at an angle 720 of 30° to 90° with respect to the plane 730 of the largest surface area of the housing 110.
  • FIG. 8 furthermore shows a variant of the fixation element having varying hole diameters.
  • FIG. 9a shows a fixation element 900 in the form of a constriction of the housing 110 of the implantable medical device. Such constrictions can be implemented in various orientations.
  • FIG. 9a shows a top view onto the housing 110
  • FIG. 9b shows a cross-section of the housing 110 comprising the constriction 910.
  • the constrictions 900, 910 or notches can be formed when deep drawing the housing 110, for example.
  • FIG. 10 shows a fixation element 130, which is securely connected to the housing 110 of the implantable medical device and which is enclosed by a different material 1000 than that of the housing 110 or of the fixation element 130.
  • a fixation element 130 For details of the fixation element 130, refer to FIGS. 1 la to l ie, for example.
  • FIGS. 1 la to 1 le show possible types of mounting the fixation element.
  • the fixation element 1100 and 1101 according to FIGS. I la and 11b is attached to the housing 110 by way of soldering or welding 1105, for example.
  • FIGS. 11c and l id show the production of the fixation element 1110, including the through-hole 1120, by means of an adhesive bonding method.
  • the fixation element 1110 is secured at the housing 110 by means of adhesive bonding, optionally using at least one anchor 1130.
  • FIG. l ie shows an embodiment of the fixation element for clamping to the housing 110.
  • FIGS. 12a and 12b show variants of a fixation element 1200, 1220, which is configured in a form-locked manner with respect to the housing 110.
  • a fixation element in the form of a potted recess (for example in the manner of a notch) 1200 is provided, so that a through-hole 1210 for fixation is formed.
  • FIG. 12b shows another variant embodiment in which a clip 1230, following the contour, is attached to the housing 110 over a recess (for example in the form of a notch) 1220.
  • the clip 1230 can be provided at the housing 110 by way of soldering or welding, for example.
  • FIG. 13 shows a detachably connectable or removable fixation element 1300 for accommodating the housing 110, similarly to a shell, comprising optionally formed fixation tabs 1310.
  • FIG. 14a The variant embodiment of a fixation element shown in FIG. 14a can be installed as a meshlike structure 1400 and optionally be provided with fixation threads 1410.
  • This mesh-like structure can, for example, be implemented as a tube or as a pocket and offers an arbitrary number of options of fixation at the tissue by means of threads.
  • FIG. 14b represents another option.
  • the fixation element is implemented as a belt element 1420, 1421 comprising optional fixation tabs 1430. With the aid of these fixation tabs 1430, the medical device can be fixed at the tissue by way of suturing.
  • FIGS. 15a and 15c disclosed another embodiment of the invention.
  • the fixation element 1500 is designed so as to modify the outer shape of the housing 110 (having a first shape 1510) at least in regions and create a second shape 1520 toward the outside.
  • the fixation element 1500 can optionally be installed or removed, and optionally includes at least one fixation hole 1530 in the form of a through-hole.
  • This feature of invention has the advantage that considerably smoother radii 1551 are present for abutting tissue (see FIG. 15c) than would be the case for the prior art (see FIG. 15b).
  • fixation element 1500 it is furthermore advantageous to design the fixation element 1500 to be asymmetrical having differing radii so as to achieve a shape similar to that of a loaf of bread, which can be covered considerably more smoothly by the skin, as is indicated in FIG. 15c.
  • FIGS. 16a and 16b describe variants of a fixation element 1600 or 1610 implemented as an elongated circumferential element (for example in the form of a circumferential band).
  • the circumferential fixation element is sutured to the body tissue by means of suture threads 1601.
  • Fixation tabs 1630 can optionally be provided at the circumferential element or circumferential band 1600, 1610.
  • the circumferential element 1610 can furthermore comprise a core 1620 to safeguard against expansion, which is in particular made of expansion-resistant fibers.
  • the circumferential element 1610 is latchingly engaged in a notch or constriction 910 at the housing 110 of the implantable medical device.
  • the medical device according to FIG. 16b comprises elements 1605 by way of which the circumferential element 1600 is secured to the housing 110.
  • fixation elements of the present invention minimize the translation and rotation degrees of freedom of the medical device at the implant site.
  • the approach according to the invention thus has the advantage that a dislocation of the active implant in the body is minimized.
  • the rotatability is limited in that the longitudinal axis is also fixed.
  • Known approaches only provide fixation at the header, whereby a rotation due to the lever arm is still possible, especially in the case of ICD housings.
  • the deliberate repositioning in the case of so-called Twiddlers is prevented.
  • a stable position for preserving the shock vector established during implantation is particularly important.
  • the mountable or detachably connectable approaches prove to be particularly attractive, which are only used when a need for fixation exists, and fixation otherwise can be dispensed with to reduce the implant volume, without damaging the housing or the header.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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  • Prostheses (AREA)

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an implantable medical device (100), comprising: a housing (110); a contacting unit (120) secured to the housing (110); at least one first fixation element (130, 140), which is arranged at the housing (110); a second fixation element (131, 141), wherein the first fixation element (130, 140) and the second fixation element (131, 141) are configured to attach the implantable medical device (100) at the tissue of a person, wherein the first and/ or second fixation elements (130, 140, 131, 141) include at least one through-hole (700, 710), wherein the at least one through-hole (700, 710) extends along a hole axis (740) and the hole axis (740) of the through-hole (700, 710) of the first and/or second fixation element (130, 140, 131, 141) is oriented at an angle (720) of 30° to 90° with respect to a plane (730) of a largest surface area of the housing (110).

Description

Housing Fixation
The present invention relates to an implantable medical device, in particular in the form of an active implantable medical device.
Care must be taken in the case of such devices that these remain at the implant site after implantation, or can be suitable fixed there, so as not to be able to migrate away from the implant site after implantation or change the spatial position thereof.
Previously, fixation holes have been used for this purpose, which are provided in the header of the implant.
A one-sided punctiform attachment of the implant enables a greater freedom of movement of the device due to inadvertent and deliberate (Twiddler) position changes. In small headers, the possible fixation points (suture holes) are situated closely together, and the extension of the device creates a large lever arm, so that accordingly large forces can be introduced into the fixation.
Proceeding from this, it is the object of the invention to create the implementation of a fixation that minimizes the effective lever arm, whereby inadvertent and deliberate (Twiddler) position changes are considerably limited.
This object is achieved by an implantable medical device having the features of claim 1.
Preferred embodiments of the inventive idea are provided in the dependent claims and will be described hereafter. According to claim 1, an implantable medical device is disclosed, comprising: a housing; and a contacting unit (also referred to as a header) secured at the housing for establishing an electrically conducting connection to the implantable medical device, the implantable medical device comprising at least one first fixation element, which is arranged at the housing.
By suitably arranging the at least one fixation element, it is possible, in combination with further fixation elements (see below), to secure the device at the implant site in a robust manner, especially in the case of larger and elongated housing shapes.
The implantable medical device is preferably an active implantable medical device, that is, the device comprises a power source, which is arranged in an interior of the housing and, in particular, enables a therapeutic or diagnostic functionality of the device, or supplies it with power (for example, stimulation energy in the case of a cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator, or shock energy in the case of a cardioverter defibrillator).
The active implantable medical device can in particular be a subcutaneously implantable cardioverter defibrillator, which is implanted extracardially beneath the skin, wherein electrodes of the device connected to the contacting unit (header) are arranged outside the heart of a patient or outside the vessels of the patient.
It is provided that the implantable medical device comprises a second fixation element. Using a second fixation element, it is possible to prevent a rotation or position change of the medical device particularly effectively.
It is furthermore provided that the two fixation elements are configured to secure the medical implant to the tissue of a person.
According to one embodiment of the implantable medical device, it is furthermore provided that the second fixation element is also configured at the housing. As an alternative, the second fixation element can be configured at the contacting unit. According to another embodiment of the implantable medical device, it is provided that the contacting unit has a largest dimension along one direction, wherein a distance between the first and second fixation elements is greater than this largest dimension.
According to another embodiment of the implantable medical device, it is provided that the housing of the medical device has a largest dimension along one direction, wherein a distance between the first and second fixation elements is greater than 25 % and less than 80 % of this largest dimension. According to another embodiment the distance between the first and second fixation elements is greater than 30 % and less than 66 % of this largest dimension. According to still another embodiment the distance between the first and second fixation elements is greater than 33 % and less than 50 % of this largest dimension.
According to one embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are equipped and provided to be secured to the tissue of a person by way of one of the following attachment elements: a suture or a thread, a clamp, an adhesive bond.
According to another embodiment of the implantable medical device, it is provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are cut-resistant so that a thread used for securing the particular fixation element does not cut into the particular fixation element.
According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are made of a cut-resistant material (such as a metal or a hard plastic material) to achieve the aforementioned cut resistance, and/or that the first and/or second fixation elements comprises one of the following elements to achieve the aforementioned cut resistance: an eye, a material region comprising embedded fibers.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are configured in the form of a fixation tab, wherein the fixation tab can in particular be pierced by means of a needle and/or a clamp, without a dedicated hole being present beforehand in the particular fixation tab. According to another embodiment of the implantable medical device according to the invention, it is provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are configured in the form of an elongated flexible element, wherein the elongated flexible element is in particular designed to be pliable, and/or wherein in particular the elongated flexible element can be sutured and/or tied.
According to one embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the first and/or second fixation elements include at least one through-hole, wherein the first and/or second fixation elements can each include further through-holes.
According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are formed by a protrusion projecting from the housing or from the contacting unit, through which in particular the at least one through-hole extends.
According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one through-hole of the first and/or second fixation elements extends through a section of the housing or of the contacting unit, wherein in particular this section does not project from the housing or from the contacting unit in the manner of a protrusion, but rather adjoins abutting regions of the housing or of the contacting unit in a flush manner.
According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one through-hole extends along a hole axis. The hole axis can extend parallel to a plane of the housing, along which the housing has a largest surface area.
According to one embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the hole axis of the at least one through-hole is oriented at an angle of 30° to 90° with respect to a plane of the housing along which the housing has the largest surface area.
Furthermore, there is the possibility that the particular through-hole can have a plurality of different configurations. For example, the at least one through-hole of the first and/or second fixation elements can have a cross-section that is configured in one of the following ways: circular, ellipse-like, non-circular, varying along the hole axis.
In principle, there is the possibility that the hole axis of the particular through-hole extends linearly, that is, is straight, or that the hole axis is curved.
According to one embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the at least one through-hole has an inside diameter of greater than or equal to 1 mm.
According to another embodiment of the implantable medical device according to the invention, it is provided that the first and/or second fixation elements comprise a constriction.
According to another embodiment of the implantable medical device, it is provided that the first and the second fixation elements each comprise a constriction, wherein the constrictions of the first and second fixation elements have differing orientations. Such constrictions can extend around the housing and/or the contacting unit, for example, and can also intersect one another in the process.
According to one embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are non-detachably connected to the housing or the contacting unit. Non-detachably shall mean that the connection can only be removed by destroying the particular fixation element and/or the housing or contacting unit. In contrast thereto, a detachable connection within the meaning of the invention denotes a connection that can be detached without destroying any of the involved components.
According to one embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are detachably connected to the housing or the contacting unit.
According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are factory-preassembled. This advantageously makes it possible to arrange the particular fixation element in such a way with respect to the implantable medical device that a user can easily handle the particular fixation element, and in particular discard it if it is not needed.
According to one embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are configured to be detachably connected by a physician to the implantable medical device.
According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first and/or second factory-preassembled fixation elements are configured to be removed by a physician.
According to one embodiment of the implantable medical device according to the invention, it is furthermore provided that the first and/or second fixation elements form a shell, wherein the respective shell is configured to surround the housing of the implantable medical device at least in sections (so as to secure the shell to the housing), wherein fixation tabs are preferably arranged at the shell, which in turn can be secured to the tissue of a person so as to fix the medical device at the implant site.
According to one embodiment of the implantable medical device according to the invention, it is furthermore provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are implemented in the form of a net, which is configured to be fixed to the tissue of a person by way of suture threads. Such a net is characterized by forming a plurality of cells through which a suture thread can be guided, whereby an extremely variable attachment option is created.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is furthermore provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are implemented in the form of a belt element, wherein the particular belt element is configured to envelop a circumference of the housing or a circumference of the implantable medical device, wherein the particular belt element optionally comprises fixation tabs, which can be fixed at the tissue of a person.
According to one embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that a material is cast around the first and/or second fixation elements, wherein in particular the cast material differs from a material of the housing of the implantable medical device. According to one embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are applied to the housing of the implantable medical device by means of 3D printing.
According to another embodiment of the implantable medical device, it is provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are equipped and provided to be connected to the housing or the contacting unit in one of the following ways: soldering; welding; adhesive bonding, optionally using anchors projecting into the bond; clamping.
According to one embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are configured in a form-locked manner with the housing, wherein in particular the respective fixation element comprises a clip which is arranged over a recess of the housing, following a contour of the housing. As an alternative, the respective fixation element can include a recess of the housing which is potted in a form-locked manner with the respect to the housing, so that the recess forms a through-hole for fixing the housing at the tissue of a person.
According to another embodiment of the implantable medical device according to the invention, it is provided that the housing is created by way of deep drawing.
In particular, according to one embodiment of the invention, the housing can be composed of multiple parts.
According to one embodiment of the invention, it may be provided in this regard that the first or the second fixation element is created on at least one of these parts by the formation of a recess during the course of a deep drawing process.
According to one embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore provided that the first and/or second fixation elements nestle against an outer surface region of the housing and form an outer surface toward the outside, which deviates from the outer surface region of the housing, wherein the respective fixation element is optionally detachably connectable to the housing of the implantable medical device or the outer surface region, and optionally includes at least one through-hole.
According to another embodiment of the implantable medical device, it is provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are designed as an elongated circumferential element (for example in the manner of a band or a cord), wherein the elongated circumferential element is equipped and provided to be sutured to the tissue of a person by way of suture threads, or wherein fixation tabs are provided at the elongated circumferential element, which can be fixed at the tissue of a person.
According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the elongated circumferential element is fixed at the housing and/or at the contacting unit in a punctiform manner by way of attachment elements, or that the elongated circumferential element is configured to latchingly engage in a circumferential notch of the implantable medical device, wherein in particular the elongated circumferential element comprises a core to safeguard against expansion, which is in particular made of expansion-resistant fibers.
According to another embodiment of the implantable medical device, it is finally provided that the first and/or second fixation elements are made of one or more biocompatible materials or comprise one or more biocompatible materials.
Embodiments of the invention and further features and advantages of the invention will be described hereafter based on the figures. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of one embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising at least two fixation elements; FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, a fixation element being provided at the header (contacting unit);
FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, wherein a distance between two fixation elements is greater than a largest dimension of the header;
FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising threadlike fixation elements;
FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising a fixation element that includes a through-hole;
FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising differently oriented through-holes;
FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising a fixation element in the form of a through-hole having a variable inside diameter;
FIGS. 9a-9b show schematic representations of further embodiments of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising fixation elements in the form of housing constrictions; FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising a fixation element that is securely connected to the housing;
FIGS, l la-l le show different variants for attaching fixation elements at the housing or header of the implantable medical device;
FIGS. 12a- 12b show fixation elements configured in a form -locked manner with the housing of the implantable medical device;
FIG. 13 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising a shelllike fixation element;
FIGS. 14a- 14b show schematic representations of further embodiments of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising net-like or belt-like fixation elements;
FIGS. 15a-l 5c shows schematic representations of another embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising shape-imparting fixation elements; and
FIGS. 16a- 16b show schematic representations of further embodiments of an implantable medical device according to the invention, comprising fixation elements in the form of circumferential elements.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an active implantable medical device 100 according to the invention, comprising a hermetically sealed housing 110 and a contacting unit 120, which is also referred to as a header and, for example, provides a terminal for electrodes. The device 100 can be a subcutaneous cardioverter defibrillator, for example. The device 100 furthermore comprises at least one fixation element 130, which can project from the housing 110, for example. As an alternative or in addition, the implant 100 can comprise a fixation element 140, which is configured at the housing 110 and, for example, can be designed as a through-hole 140 extending through the housing 110.
Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows a variant embodiment of the implantable medical device 100 comprising at least one additional fixation element 131 and 141, which, as above, can project from the housing 110 or be configured at the housing 110 (for example in the form of a through-hole). In this way, a rotation about the longitudinal axis of the implantable medical device 100 is prevented.
FIG. 3 shows a variant embodiment comprising at least one further fixation element 200, which is provided at the contacting unit 120 and, for example, can again be designed as a through-hole 200 extending through the contacting unit 120 here.
Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows a variant in which the distance 420 between the fixation elements 140, 141 is greater than a largest dimension 410 of the contacting unit 120.
FIG. 5 shows a variant embodiment of the implantable medical device 100 comprising thread-like fixation elements 500, 501. The structures 500, 501 can be configured both at the contacting unit 120 and at any arbitrary position of the housing 110.
The variant embodiment of the fixation element 130 shown in FIG. 6 includes at least one through-hole 600, 601, which can be arbitrarily positioned in the (for example factory- preassembled ) fixation element 130.
Furthermore, FIG. 7 shows a variant of the fixation element in which the orientation (that is, the hole axis 740) of the through-hole 710 extends parallel to the plane 730 of the largest surface area of the housing 110. In another embodiment, the hole axis 740 of the through- hole 700 of the fixation element is oriented at an angle 720 of 30° to 90° with respect to the plane 730 of the largest surface area of the housing 110.
FIG. 8 furthermore shows a variant of the fixation element having varying hole diameters.
The cross-section 810, 820 of the through-hole 800 varies along the hole axis 830. FIG. 9a shows a fixation element 900 in the form of a constriction of the housing 110 of the implantable medical device. Such constrictions can be implemented in various orientations. FIG. 9a shows a top view onto the housing 110, and FIG. 9b shows a cross-section of the housing 110 comprising the constriction 910. The constrictions 900, 910 or notches can be formed when deep drawing the housing 110, for example.
Furthermore, FIG. 10 shows a fixation element 130, which is securely connected to the housing 110 of the implantable medical device and which is enclosed by a different material 1000 than that of the housing 110 or of the fixation element 130. For details of the fixation element 130, refer to FIGS. 1 la to l ie, for example.
FIGS. 1 la to 1 le show possible types of mounting the fixation element. The fixation element 1100 and 1101 according to FIGS. I la and 11b is attached to the housing 110 by way of soldering or welding 1105, for example. FIGS. 11c and l id show the production of the fixation element 1110, including the through-hole 1120, by means of an adhesive bonding method. According to FIG. l id, the fixation element 1110 is secured at the housing 110 by means of adhesive bonding, optionally using at least one anchor 1130. FIG. l ie shows an embodiment of the fixation element for clamping to the housing 110.
FIGS. 12a and 12b show variants of a fixation element 1200, 1220, which is configured in a form-locked manner with respect to the housing 110. According to 12a, a fixation element in the form of a potted recess (for example in the manner of a notch) 1200 is provided, so that a through-hole 1210 for fixation is formed.
In contrast, FIG. 12b shows another variant embodiment in which a clip 1230, following the contour, is attached to the housing 110 over a recess (for example in the form of a notch) 1220. The clip 1230 can be provided at the housing 110 by way of soldering or welding, for example. Furthermore, FIG. 13 shows a detachably connectable or removable fixation element 1300 for accommodating the housing 110, similarly to a shell, comprising optionally formed fixation tabs 1310.
The variant embodiment of a fixation element shown in FIG. 14a can be installed as a meshlike structure 1400 and optionally be provided with fixation threads 1410. This mesh-like structure can, for example, be implemented as a tube or as a pocket and offers an arbitrary number of options of fixation at the tissue by means of threads. FIG. 14b represents another option. In this variant embodiment, the fixation element is implemented as a belt element 1420, 1421 comprising optional fixation tabs 1430. With the aid of these fixation tabs 1430, the medical device can be fixed at the tissue by way of suturing.
FIGS. 15a and 15c disclosed another embodiment of the invention. The fixation element 1500 is designed so as to modify the outer shape of the housing 110 (having a first shape 1510) at least in regions and create a second shape 1520 toward the outside. The fixation element 1500 can optionally be installed or removed, and optionally includes at least one fixation hole 1530 in the form of a through-hole. This feature of invention has the advantage that considerably smoother radii 1551 are present for abutting tissue (see FIG. 15c) than would be the case for the prior art (see FIG. 15b). The edges, which are rounded only little, here force the skin to form smaller radii 1550, which is not only unfavorable from a cosmetic point of view, but additionally can even result in wounds due to microerosion. Within the meaning of the invention, it is furthermore advantageous to design the fixation element 1500 to be asymmetrical having differing radii so as to achieve a shape similar to that of a loaf of bread, which can be covered considerably more smoothly by the skin, as is indicated in FIG. 15c.
Finally, FIGS. 16a and 16b describe variants of a fixation element 1600 or 1610 implemented as an elongated circumferential element (for example in the form of a circumferential band). The circumferential fixation element is sutured to the body tissue by means of suture threads 1601. Fixation tabs 1630 can optionally be provided at the circumferential element or circumferential band 1600, 1610. The circumferential element 1610 can furthermore comprise a core 1620 to safeguard against expansion, which is in particular made of expansion-resistant fibers. According to FIG. 16a, the circumferential element 1610 is latchingly engaged in a notch or constriction 910 at the housing 110 of the implantable medical device. In contrast, the medical device according to FIG. 16b comprises elements 1605 by way of which the circumferential element 1600 is secured to the housing 110.
The fixation elements of the present invention minimize the translation and rotation degrees of freedom of the medical device at the implant site.
The approach according to the invention thus has the advantage that a dislocation of the active implant in the body is minimized. In particular, the rotatability is limited in that the longitudinal axis is also fixed. Known approaches only provide fixation at the header, whereby a rotation due to the lever arm is still possible, especially in the case of ICD housings. In addition, the deliberate repositioning in the case of so-called Twiddlers is prevented. To ensure a successful shock therapy, a stable position for preserving the shock vector established during implantation is particularly important. The mountable or detachably connectable approaches prove to be particularly attractive, which are only used when a need for fixation exists, and fixation otherwise can be dispensed with to reduce the implant volume, without damaging the housing or the header.

Claims

Claims
1. An implantable medical device (100), comprising:
- a housing (110);
- a contacting unit (120) secured to the housing (110);
- at least one first fixation element (130, 140), which is arranged at the housing (110);
- a second fixation element (131, 141), wherein the first fixation element (130, 140) and the second fixation element (131, 141) are configured to attach the implantable medical device (100) at the tissue of a person, wherein the first and/or second fixation elements (130, 140, 131, 141) include at least one through-hole (700, 710), wherein the at least one through-hole (700, 710) extends along a hole axis (740) and the hole axis (740) of the through-hole (700, 710) of the first and/or second fixation element (130, 140, 131, 141) is oriented at an angle (720) of 30° to 90° with respect to a plane (730) of a largest surface area of the housing (110).
2. The implantable medical device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second fixation element (131, 141) is configured at the housing (110).
3. The implantable medical device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the hole axis (740) of the through-hole (700, 710) of the first and/or second fixation element (130, 140, 131, 141) extends linearly.
4. The implantable medical device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the hole axis (830) of the through-hole (800) of the first and/or second fixation element (130, 140, 131, 141) is curved.
5. An implantable medical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one through-hole has a cross-section (810, 820) that varies along the hole axis (830).
6. The implantable medical device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a material is cast around the first and/or second fixation elements (130, 140, 131, 141, 1000) , wherein in particular the cast material differs from a material of the housing (110) of the implantable medical device (100).
7. The implantable medical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and/or second fixation elements are configured in a form-locked manner with the housing (110).
8. The implantable medical device according to claim 7, characterized in that the first and/or second fixation elements (130, 140, 131, 141, 1200) comprises a recess (1230) of the housing (110), which is potted in a form-locked manner with respect to the housing (110), so that a recess forms a through-hole (1210) for fixing the housing (110) at the tissue of a person.
9. The implantable medical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and/or second fixation elements (130, 131, 140, 141) are equipped and provided to be secured to the tissue of a person by way of one of the following attachment elements: a suture, a clamp, an adhesive bond.
10. The implantable medical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (110) of the medical device (100) has a largest dimension along one direction, wherein a distance between the first and the second fixation elements (130, 140, 131, 141) is greater than 25 % and less than 80 % of this largest dimension.
11. The implantable medical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (110) is composed of multiple parts, the first or second fixation element being created on at least one of these parts by the formation of a recess (1230) during the course of a deep drawing process.
PCT/EP2021/075085 2020-09-14 2021-09-13 Housing fixation WO2022053677A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20195933 2020-09-14
EP20195933.5 2020-09-14
EP21154195 2021-01-29
EP21154195.8 2021-01-29

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Citations (5)

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WO2006126201A2 (en) * 2005-05-26 2006-11-30 Biocontrol Medical, Ltd. Suture loops for implantable device
US20110190833A1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2011-08-04 Medtronic, Inc. Header assembly for implantable medical device
US20150257755A1 (en) * 2010-01-15 2015-09-17 Richard B. North Apparatus and method for implanting and securing the position of implantable medical device
US20160023012A1 (en) * 2014-07-23 2016-01-28 Medtronic, Inc. Suture loop with cover and strategic placement of suture points
US20190388696A1 (en) * 2018-06-22 2019-12-26 Greatbatch Ltd. Implantable pulse generator with multiple suture ports

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006126201A2 (en) * 2005-05-26 2006-11-30 Biocontrol Medical, Ltd. Suture loops for implantable device
US20150257755A1 (en) * 2010-01-15 2015-09-17 Richard B. North Apparatus and method for implanting and securing the position of implantable medical device
US20110190833A1 (en) * 2010-01-29 2011-08-04 Medtronic, Inc. Header assembly for implantable medical device
US20160023012A1 (en) * 2014-07-23 2016-01-28 Medtronic, Inc. Suture loop with cover and strategic placement of suture points
US20190388696A1 (en) * 2018-06-22 2019-12-26 Greatbatch Ltd. Implantable pulse generator with multiple suture ports

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