Patent ID: 8401643
Filing Date: 2013-03-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of implanting a medical device in a selected region of a lumen of a human patient, the selected region having an effective diameter comprising: receiving a medical device that includes a diagnostic or therapeutic module and an anchor, the anchor having proximal and distal ends and being self-expandable from a low profile, in which it can be delivered to the selected region, to an expanded configuration having an effective diameter greater than the effective diameter of the selected region of the lumen to enable the anchor to expand in the lumen into pressing engagement with the wall of the lumen, the effective diameter and structure of the anchor being arranged to enable the anchor to bear against the lumen wall with force sufficient to maintain the anchor in place but insufficient to provide structural support for the lumen, the anchor further having a plurality of struts interconnected at junctures to define a tubular configuration with proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the anchor being defined by a pair of proximal struts connected at a single proximal juncture and an attachment strut extending in a distal direction from one of the junctures, the diagnostic or therapeutic module having a connector receptive to the attachment strut, the connector being securely connected to the attachment strut, the attachment strut and connector being arranged to orient the diagnostic or therapeutic module within and between the ends of the anchor; navigating the medical device to the selected region of the lumen while maintaining it in its low profile configuration by confining the anchor within a distal chamber of a delivery catheter and engaging the proximal end of the anchor with a retention member of the delivery catheter; removing the confining chamber of the catheter from about the anchor while maintaining the retention member in engagement with the proximal end of the anchor, thereby enabling the anchor to expand against the selected region of the lumen; confirming the position of the deployed medical device within the patient's lumen; and after the desired position is confirmed, releasing the retention member from the proximal end of the anchor.