Patent ID: 11931567
Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 17:
18. A method for using a tether assembly of a medical device delivery system, the method comprising:
positioning a tether head assembly of the tether assembly at a treatment site of a patient with an attachment member of a medical device received within a receptacle of the tether head assembly, the tether head assembly configured to releasably retain the attachment member of the medical device, wherein the tether head assembly comprises:
an inner retainer;
an outer retainer comprising a proximal portion defining a channel configured to receive the inner retainer and a distal portion defining an aperture, the aperture comprising:
the receptacle configured to receive the attachment member of the medical device;
a passageway extending from a distal end of the outer retainer proximally to the receptacle; and
a groove extending from the distal end of the outer retainer proximally at least to the receptacle,
wherein positioning the tether head assembly comprises positioning the tether head assembly with the inner retainer in a first position wherein the distal portion of the inner retainer is partially received in the groove and extends into the passageway, thereby narrowing the passageway, wherein the passageway is dimensioned to prevent passage of the attachment member when the inner retainer is in the first position;

moving the inner retainer from the first position to a second position wherein the distal portion of the inner retainer is positioned proximal to the passageway and allows the attachment member of the medical device to pass from the receptacle through the passageway; and
removing the attachment member of the medical device from the tether head assembly.