Implantable medical device having pre-implant exoskeleton

Abstract

The present application describes a method and apparatus for implanting a medical device within a living body. The apparatus includes an elongate sleeve positionable with a living body, such as within a blood vessel, and a medical device insertable into the sleeve. During use, the sleeve is retained with the body, and the medical device is sealed within the sleeve. The sleeve substantially avoids biological growth onto the medical device, and thus permits removal of the medical device independently of the sleeve.

1 . A method of implanting a medical device within a living body, the method comprising the steps of: 
 forming an incision in a living body;    introducing a sleeve having a length through the incision;    positioning the entire length of the sleeve within the body;    inserting an implantable medical device into the sleeve and sealing the medical device within the sleeve.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning step positions at least a portion of the sleeve within a blood vessel.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inserting step is performed prior to the introducing step.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inserting step is performed after the introducing step.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , further including the step of anchoring the sleeve within the blood vessel.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the sleeve includes an expandable retention device, and wherein the anchoring step includes the step expanding the retention device into contact with walls of the vessel.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the positioning step positions the entire length of the sleeve within the blood vessel.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is removable from the sleeve while the sleeve remains within the body.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing step attaches a sealing device to the sleeve.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the sealing step attaches a cap or plug to the sleeve.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the sealing step applies a sealing compound to the sleeve.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein after the sealing step, the sleeve substantially prevents body fluids surrounding the sleeve from contacting the medical device.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein after the sealing step, the sleeve substantially prevents biological growth onto the medical device.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the introducing step introduces a sleeve having an exterior and at least one electrode on the exterior;    the sealing inserting step inserts a medical device having an interior and pulse generator sealed within the interior; and    the method further includes the step of electrically coupling the pulse generator to the electrode.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sleeve includes a side branch extending from the sleeve, wherein the method includes positioning the side branch within the heart.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least one electrode is a branch electrode positioned on the side branch, and wherein the electrically coupling step couples the branch electrode to the pulse generator.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the introducing step introduces a sleeve having a fluid delivery port;    the inserting step inserts a medical device having an interior and a fluid reservoir in the interior; and    the method further includes the step of fluidly coupling the fluid delivery port and the fluid reservoir.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is further for explanting the medical device, and wherein the method includes the steps of: 
 withdrawing a portion of the sleeve from the body; and    extracting the medical device from within the sheath.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including the step of: 
 after the extracting step, inserting a second medical device into the sleeve.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1 , further include the step of allowing the incision to heal, leaving the medical device and the sleeve within the body.  
   
   
       21 - 40 . (canceled)  
   
   
       41 . An implantable intravascular medical system kit, including: 
 a elongate sleeve proportioned for implantation within a blood vessel of a patient;    an implantable medical device positionable within the sleeve; and    instructions for use setting forth implantation methods for the sleeve and medical device, including the steps of: 
 forming an incision in a living body;  
 introducing the sleeve through the incision and into a blood vessel;  
 positioning an entire length of the sleeve within the body;  
   inserting the medical device into the sleeve and sealing the medical device within the sleeve.    
   
   
       42 - 43 . (canceled)