Patent ID: 7532939
Filing Date: 2009-05-12
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. An implantable medical device, comprising: an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end; a helical fixation member extending from the distal end of the elongated body, the helical fixation member having a distal tip for fixedly engaging the distal end of the elongated body at an implant site, and a tracking member extending from the distal end of the elongated body and extending through the helical fixation member and outward from the distal tip of the helical fixation member, the helical fixation member having an inner surface, the tracking member having an outer surface adjacent to and spaced apart from the inner surface of the helical fixation member a predetermined distance to form a tissue engaging gap extending along a portion of the helical fixation member between the helical fixation member and the tracking member, the tissue engaging gap engaging a controlled depth of tissue at the implant site within the predetermined distance between the tracking member and the helical fixation member as the helical fixation member is advanced within the tissue at the implant site wherein the tracking member having a proximal portion extending out from the elongated body distal end having an outer diameter and the helical fixation member having a corresponding proximal portion extending out from the elongated body distal end having an inner diameter about the tracking member outer diameter.