System and method for loading a leadless pacemaker onto a catheter-based delivery system

A method for using a loading device to load a leadless pacemaker onto a catheter-based delivery system, the loading device including a distal portion and a proximal portion proximal the distal portion, the distal portion including a retention feature configured to receive the leadless pacemaker, the catheter-based delivery system including a distal docking end and first and second tethers distally projecting from the distal docking end, the first tether including a first distal end feature and the second tether including a second distal end feature, the method comprising:

• causing the first and second distal end features to enter the proximal portion of the loading device when the first and second distal end features are positioned in a first arrangement, the first arrangement being when the first and second distal end features are side-by-side and distally project from the distal docking end an equal amount;
• contacting the first and second distal end features with a surface of the proximal portion such that the first and second distal end features transition from the first arrangement to a second arrangement, the second arrangement being where the first tether is deflected by the contacting such that the first distal end feature is proximal the second distal end feature;
• and
• passing the second distal end feature through an opening in an attachment feature on a proximal end of the leadless pacemaker when the first and second distal end features are in the second arrangement.