Tools and systems for implanting and/or retrieving a leadless cardiac pacing device with helix fixation

1. A system, comprising:

a leadless cardiac pacing device including a body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal hub, and a helical fixation member opposite the proximal hub; and

a first elongate shaft having a lumen extending from a distal end of the elongate shaft proximally into the elongate shaft and a transverse member extending transversely across the lumen;

wherein the proximal hub includes a transverse channel extending transverse to the longitudinal axis and into the proximal hub, the transverse channel opening proximally through a proximal opening along an entirety of the transverse channel, the transverse channel being configured to engage the transverse member.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transverse channel separates the proximal hub into a first flange portion and a second flange portion.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein when the transverse member is engaged with the transverse channel, rotation of the first elongate shaft relative to the leadless cardiac pacing device positions at least a portion of the transverse member between the proximal hub and a proximal end of the body.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein further rotation of the first elongate shaft transfers rotational motion of the first elongate shaft to the leadless cardiac pacing device.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the leadless cardiac pacing device includes a neck portion extending from the body to the proximal hub.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the transverse channel separates the neck portion into a first neck portion and a second neck portion.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first neck portion is connected to the first flange portion and the second neck portion is connected to the second flange portion.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transverse channel has a maximum width in cross-section that is greater than a width of a proximalmost opening into the transverse channel.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein a diameter of the transverse member is greater than the width of the proximalmost opening into the transverse channel.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transverse member is generally inelastic.

11. A system, comprising:

a leadless cardiac pacing device including a body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal hub, and a helical fixation member opposite the proximal hub, the proximal hub including a transverse channel extending transverse to the longitudinal axis and across the proximal hub, the transverse channel opening proximally through a proximal opening along an entirety of the transverse channel; and

a first elongate shaft having a lumen extending from a distal end of the elongate shaft proximally into the elongate shaft; and

a transverse member extending transversely across the lumen, wherein a length of the transverse member is greater than a diameter of the lumen;

wherein the transverse member is configured to advance into the transverse channel in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis when the proximal hub is disposed within the lumen.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein when the transverse member is engaged with the transverse channel, rotation of the first elongate shaft relative to the leadless cardiac pacing device positions at least a portion of the transverse member between the proximal hub and a proximal end of the body.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein further rotation of the first elongate shaft transfers rotational motion of the first elongate shaft to the leadless cardiac pacing device.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the transverse member is a flexible cord, filament, suture, or wire.

15. A system, comprising:

a leadless cardiac pacing device including a body, a proximal hub, and a helical fixation member opposite the proximal hub; and

a first elongate shaft including a transverse member located at a distal end of the first elongate shaft;

wherein the proximal hub includes a transverse channel extending into the proximal hub, the transverse channel being configured to engage the transverse member;

wherein the transverse channel has a maximum width in cross-section that is greater than a width of a proximalmost opening into the transverse channel; and

wherein a diameter of the transverse member is greater than the width of the proximalmost opening into the transverse channel.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein when the transverse member is engaged with the transverse channel, rotation of the first elongate shaft relative to the leadless cardiac pacing device positions at least a portion of the transverse member between the proximal hub and a proximal end of the body.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein further rotation of the first elongate shaft transfers rotational motion of the first elongate shaft to the leadless cardiac pacing device.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the transverse member is generally inelastic.

19. The system of claim 15 , wherein the transverse member is elastic.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the transverse member is a flexible cord, filament, suture, or wire.