Implant delivery capsule
First Claim
1. A delivery system for delivering a stent mounted heart valve into a patient vessel, the delivery system comprising:
- an expandable sheath;
an elongate catheter having proximal and distal ends, a stent mounted heart valve attached at the distal end of the elongate catheter;
a capsule coupled to the distal end of the elongate catheter, the capsule sized and configured to extend around and enclose the stent mounted heart valve, the capsule having a distal end defining a capsule diameter;
a nosecone including a tapered distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end engaged to the distal end of the capsule, wherein the tapered distal end has a smooth continuous shape configured to progressively urge the sheath outward and the proximal end defines a nosecone maximum diameter greater than the capsule diameter, andwherein the expandable sheath has a central lumen sized and configured to receive the elongate catheter, capsule and nosecone, wherein the central lumen defines a starting inner diameter less than the capsule diameter, andwherein the nosecone reduces an average peak push force resulting from advancement of the capsule through the expandable sheath.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A delivery system for delivering a stent-mounted heart valve, or other implant, through an introducer sheath. The delivery system includes an elongate catheter supporting a capsule. The capsule contains the stent-mounted heart valve in a crimped or collapsed condition. The delivery system also includes a nosecone with a tapered distal end and a proximal end enlarged to have a diameter larger than the capsule. Surprisingly, the proximal end of the nosecone, despite having a larger profile than the capsule, reduces an average peak push force for advancing the delivery system through an introducer sheath. Also disclosed are features, such as protrusions and ridges, supported on an outside of the capsule for reducing push force.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A delivery system for delivering a stent mounted heart valve into a patient vessel, the delivery system comprising:
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an expandable sheath; an elongate catheter having proximal and distal ends, a stent mounted heart valve attached at the distal end of the elongate catheter; a capsule coupled to the distal end of the elongate catheter, the capsule sized and configured to extend around and enclose the stent mounted heart valve, the capsule having a distal end defining a capsule diameter; a nosecone including a tapered distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end engaged to the distal end of the capsule, wherein the tapered distal end has a smooth continuous shape configured to progressively urge the sheath outward and the proximal end defines a nosecone maximum diameter greater than the capsule diameter, and wherein the expandable sheath has a central lumen sized and configured to receive the elongate catheter, capsule and nosecone, wherein the central lumen defines a starting inner diameter less than the capsule diameter, and wherein the nosecone reduces an average peak push force resulting from advancement of the capsule through the expandable sheath. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A delivery system for delivering a stent mounted heart valve through an expandable sheath and into a patient vessel, the delivery system comprising:
- an expandable sheath, wherein the expandable sheath having a central lumen sized and configured to receive the elongate catheter, capsule and nosecone, wherein the central lumen defines a starting inner diameter less than the capsule diameter
an elongate catheter having proximal and distal ends, a stent mounted heart valve attached at the distal end of the elongate catheter; a capsule coupled to the distal end of the elongate catheter, the capsule sized and configured to extend around and enclose the stent mounted heart valve, the capsule having a distal end defining a capsule diameter; a nosecone including a distal end, a proximal end, and an inflection portion therebetween comprising an inflection point, the proximal end of the nosecone engaged to the distal end of the capsule, wherein the distal end of the nosecone has a gradually increasing diameter from a distalmost end to the inflection portion and has a smooth continuous shape configured to progressively urge the sheath outward, the inflection point has a diameter greater than a diameter of the proximal end adjacent the capsule, wherein the diameter of the proximal end adjacent the capsule is greater than the capsule diameter and the inflection portion has a continuously rounded profile, and wherein the nosecone reduces an average peak push force resulting from advancement of the capsule through an expandable sheath. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- an expandable sheath, wherein the expandable sheath having a central lumen sized and configured to receive the elongate catheter, capsule and nosecone, wherein the central lumen defines a starting inner diameter less than the capsule diameter
Specification