Systems and methods for device implantation
First Claim
1. A delivery system for an implantable medical device, the delivery system comprising:
- (a) an elongated inner shaft having a device-carrying region adjacent a distal end thereof;
(b) an elongated, hollow outer shaft surrounding the inner shaft;
(c) a sheath mounted at a distal end of the outer shaft, the sheath having an outside diameter greater than an outside diameter of the outer shaft, the outer shaft being movable relative to the inner shaft in a proximal direction from an advanced position in which the sheath surrounds the device-carrying region of the inner shaft to a retracted position in which the sheath does not cover the device-carrying region; and
(d) a sleeve shorter than the outer shaft, the sleeve surrounding the outer shaft, the sleeve being movable relative to the outer shaft from an advanced position in which a distal end of the sleeve is in close proximity to a proximal end of the sheath to a fully retracted position in which the distal end of the sleeve is remote from the sheath, the distal end of the sleeve and the sheath cooperatively defining a smooth exterior surface when the sleeve is in the advanced position,wherein the distal end of the sleeve has an outside diameter substantially equal to an outside diameter of a portion of the sheath disposed adjacent the proximal end thereof, and when the sleeve is in the advanced position, the distal end of the sleeve and the proximal end of the sheath fit together so as to form a substantially continuous cylindrical outer surface, andwherein a first end, which is one of the distal end of the sleeve or the proximal end of the sheath, is deformable so that the first end is deformed when the sleeve is in the advanced position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable delivery system has an inner shaft (20) with a device-carrying region (28) and an outer shaft (40) surrounding the inner shaft. A sheath (41) at a distal end of the outer shaft covers the device-carrying region when the outer shaft is in an advanced position. A sleeve (50) surrounding the outer shaft is in proximity to the sheath when the sleeve is in an advanced position. After insertion, the sleeve is retracted to increase flexibility of the distal end of the device. A handle (62) includes a control element for retracting the outer shaft and sheath relative to the inner shaft to release the implantable device. The sleeve may be fixed to the body of the handle when the sleeve is retracted. Engagement between the sleeve and an introducer at the insertion site can stabilize the handle and inner shaft against movement relative to the patient during retraction of the outer shaft.
134 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A delivery system for an implantable medical device, the delivery system comprising:
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(a) an elongated inner shaft having a device-carrying region adjacent a distal end thereof; (b) an elongated, hollow outer shaft surrounding the inner shaft; (c) a sheath mounted at a distal end of the outer shaft, the sheath having an outside diameter greater than an outside diameter of the outer shaft, the outer shaft being movable relative to the inner shaft in a proximal direction from an advanced position in which the sheath surrounds the device-carrying region of the inner shaft to a retracted position in which the sheath does not cover the device-carrying region; and (d) a sleeve shorter than the outer shaft, the sleeve surrounding the outer shaft, the sleeve being movable relative to the outer shaft from an advanced position in which a distal end of the sleeve is in close proximity to a proximal end of the sheath to a fully retracted position in which the distal end of the sleeve is remote from the sheath, the distal end of the sleeve and the sheath cooperatively defining a smooth exterior surface when the sleeve is in the advanced position, wherein the distal end of the sleeve has an outside diameter substantially equal to an outside diameter of a portion of the sheath disposed adjacent the proximal end thereof, and when the sleeve is in the advanced position, the distal end of the sleeve and the proximal end of the sheath fit together so as to form a substantially continuous cylindrical outer surface, and wherein a first end, which is one of the distal end of the sleeve or the proximal end of the sheath, is deformable so that the first end is deformed when the sleeve is in the advanced position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A delivery system for an implantable medical device, the delivery system comprising:
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(a) an elongated inner shaft having a device-carrying region adjacent a distal end thereof; (b) an elongated, hollow outer shaft surrounding the inner shaft; (c) a sheath mounted at a distal end of the outer shaft, the sheath having an outside diameter greater than an outside diameter of the outer shaft, the outer shaft being movable relative to the inner shaft in a proximal direction from an advanced position in which the sheath surrounds the device-carrying region of the inner shaft to a retracted position in which the sheath does not cover the device-carrying region; (d) a sleeve shorter than the outer shaft surrounding the outer shaft, the sleeve being movable in a proximal direction relative to the outer shaft from an advanced position to a fully retracted position in which a distal end of the sleeve is remote from the sheath; (e) a handle having a body and a first control element, the inner shaft being fixed to the body, the outer shaft being movable relative to the inner shaft responsive to movement of the control element relative to the body by an operator; and (f) a catch operable to selectively fix the sleeve to the body of the handle against proximal and distal movement relative to the body when the sleeve is in the fully retracted position, wherein the distal end of the sleeve has an outside diameter substantially equal to an outside diameter of a portion of the sheath disposed adjacent a proximal end thereof, and when the sleeve is in the advanced position, the distal end of the sleeve and the proximal end of the sheath fit together so as to form a substantially continuous cylindrical outer surface, and wherein a first end, which is one of the distal end of the sleeve or the proximal end of the sheath, is deformable so that the first end is deformed when the sleeve is in the advanced position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification