Cryo-fixation cardiac pacemaker lead extraction device

A cryo-fixation lead extraction system comprising:

• a cryogen fluid source;
• a cryo-fixation lead extraction device including a lead extraction catheter having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal catheter ends and an elongate catheter lumen, a liner having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal liner ends and an elongate liner lumen, the liner lumen extending entirely between the proximal and distal liner ends and being configured to selectively accept at least part of a lead being extracted longitudinally therethrough, and at least a portion of the liner being located a chosen one of circumferentially within and circumferentially surrounding the catheter lumen, at least one cryogen supply line extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the liner lumen, the cryogen supply line being configured to place a cryogen fluid source in operative proximity to the proximal liner end in fluid communication with the distal liner end, the cryogen supply line being configured to selectively generate a patient tissue frozen zone adjacent the distal catheter end, wherein the at least one cryogen supply line is affixed to an inner surface of the liner lumen, and a cutting feature located adjacent the distal catheter end, the cutting feature configured to selectively mechanically cut into at least a portion of the patient tissue frozen zone adjacent the lead being extracted;
• a cryogen regulator associated with the cryogen fluid source;
• an operator interface operatively connected to the cryogen supply line for selectively regulating cryogen fluid flow;
• and a computing device for at least one of controlling and monitoring the cryo-fixation lead extraction device during operation, the computing device including a user-perceptible display and at least one user-manipulable control.

A method of extracting a lead from a patient tissue volume using cryogenics, the method comprising:

• providing a cryo-fixation lead extraction device including a lead extraction catheter having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal catheter ends and an elongate catheter lumen, a liner having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal liner ends and an elongate liner lumen extending entirely between the proximal and distal liner ends, at least a portion of the liner being located a chosen one of circumferentially within and circumferentially surrounding the catheter lumen, at least one cryogen supply line extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the liner lumen, wherein the at least one cryogen supply line is affixed to an inner surface of the liner lumen, and a cutting feature located adjacent the distal catheter end;
• with the cryogen supply line, placing a cryogen fluid source, which is in operative proximity to the proximal liner end, into fluid communication with the distal liner end;
• placing at least part of a lead being extracted longitudinally through the liner lumen;
• selectively directing cryogen fluid from the cryogen fluid source through the cryogen supply line to selectively generate a patient tissue frozen zone adjacent the distal catheter end within the patient tissue volume;
• with the cutting feature, selectively mechanically cutting into at least a portion of the patient tissue frozen zone adjacent the lead being extracted to loosen the lead from the patient tissue;
• and moving the loosened lead proximally with respect to the liner lumen.