Intravascular implantable device having superior anchoring arrangement

Abstract

Methods, systems and devices are provided for anchoring an intravascular implantable device within a vessel that is located superior to the heart, i.e. above the heart in a direction toward the head of a patient. Also provided is a method of providing an intravascular device and instructions for implanting the intravascular device, comprising providing an intravascular device having an elongate device body with a proximal end and a distal end that is adapted for chronic implantation within the vasculature of a patient and that includes a distal portion of the intravascular device proximate the distal end of the elongate device body, and providing instructions for chronically implanting the intravascular device substantially wholly within the vasculature of a patient in a target vessel superior to the heart of the patient.

1 . An intravascular medical device (IVMD) comprising:
 a housing module;   a lead coupleable with a first end of the housing module;   a tether comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion coupled to the housing module, wherein the tether is configured to secure the housing module at a position within a vascular structure when the proximal portion of the tether is anchored at an anchor point distant from the position of the housing module, and the tether is configured to permit the housing module to move within the vascular structure in response to blood flow within the vascular structure; and   a power source operably coupled with the housing module.   
     
     
         2 . The IVMC of  claim 1 , wherein the power source includes a rechargeable battery contained within the housing module. 
     
     
         3 . The IVMD of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a recharging module coupled with the battery to recharge the battery.   
     
     
         4 . The IVMD of  claim 1 , wherein the tether is configured to be anchored at a single point. 
     
     
         5 . The IVMD of  claim 1 , further comprising an anchor configured to anchor the proximal portion of the tether. 
     
     
         6 . The IVMD of  claim 1 , wherein the housing module contains an implantable pulse generator configured to generate electrical stimulation energy. 
     
     
         7 . An intravascular medical device (IVMD) comprising:
 a housing module;   a lead coupleable with a first end of the housing module;   a tether comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion coupled to the housing module, wherein the tether is configured to secure the housing module at a position within a vascular structure when the proximal portion of the tether is anchored at an anchor point distant from the position of the housing module and the tether is configured to counteract forces of blood flow against the housing module, thereby securing the housing module; and   a power source operably coupled with the housing module.   
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 implanting a housing module within a vascular structure, wherein a power supply is operably coupled with the housing module and a lead is coupled to the housing module; and   securing the housing module within the vascular structure via a tether, the tether comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion is coupled to the housing module, wherein securing the housing within the vascular structure via the tether comprises securing the proximal portion of the tether at an anchor point distant from the housing module, and the tether is configured to permit the housing module to move within the vascular structure in response to blood flow within the vascular structure.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tether is anchored at a single point. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tether further comprises an anchor configured to anchor the tether at the anchor point. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the housing module contains an implantable pulse generator configured to generate electrical stimulation energy. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising:
 implanting a housing module within a vascular structure, wherein a power supply is operably coupled with the housing module and a lead is coupled to the housing module; and   securing the housing module within the vascular structure via a tether, the tether comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion is coupled to the housing module, wherein securing the housing within the vascular structure via the tether comprises securing the proximal portion of the tether at an anchor point distant from the housing module, and the tether is configured to counteract forces of blood flow against the housing module, thereby securing the housing module.   
     
     
         13 . An intravascular implantable device comprising:
 a device body;   a lead coupleable with the device body;   a tether portion comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion coupled to the device body, wherein the tether portion is configured to secure the device body at a position within a vascular structure when the proximal portion of the tether portion is anchored at an anchor location distant from the position of the device body, and the tether portion is configured to permit the device body to float within the vascular structure; and   a power supply operably coupled with the device body.   
     
     
         14 . The intravascular implantable device of  claim 13 , wherein the power source includes one or more batteries contained within the device body. 
     
     
         15 . The intravascular implantable device of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 additional circuitry to facilitate recharging of the one or more batteries.   
     
     
         16 . The intravascular implantable device of  claim 13 , wherein the tether portion is configured to be anchored at a single location. 
     
     
         17 . The intravascular implantable device of  claim 13 , further comprising an anchor configured to secure the tether portion. 
     
     
         18 . The intravascular implantable device of  claim 13 , wherein the device body contains a pulse generator configured to generate electrophysiological pulses. 
     
     
         19 . An intravascular implantable device comprising:
 a device body;   a lead coupleable with the device body;   a tether portion comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion coupled to the device body, wherein the tether portion is configured to secure the device body at a position within a vascular structure when the proximal portion of the tether portion is anchored at an anchor location distant from the position of the device body, thereby securing the device body; and   a power supply operably coupled with the device body.   
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 implanting a device body within a vascular structure, wherein a power supply is operably coupled with the device body and a lead is coupled to the device body; and   securing the device body within the vascular structure via a tether portion, the tether portion comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion is coupled to the device body, wherein securing the device body within the vascular structure via the tether portion comprises securing the proximal portion of the tether portion at an anchor location distant from the device body, and the tether portion is configured to permit the device body to float within the vascular structure.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the tether portion is anchored at a single location. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the tether portion further comprises an anchor configured to secure the tether portion at the anchor location. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the device body contains a pulse generator configured to generate electrophysiological pulses. 
     
     
         24 . A method comprising:
 implanting a device body within a vascular structure, wherein a power supply is operably coupled with the device body and a lead is coupled to the device body; and   securing the device body within the vascular structure via a tether portion, the tether portion comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion is coupled to the device body, wherein securing the device body within the vascular structure via the tether portion comprises securing the proximal portion of the tether portion at an anchor location distant from the device body, thereby securing the device body.