DETACHMENT MECHANISMS FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICES

• US 20150066073A1
• Filed: 09/02/2014
• Published: 03/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jianlu Ma
• Original Assignee: Jianlu Ma
• Inventors: Ma, Jianlu
• Granted Patent: US 11,006,963 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12113 within an aneurysm
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1214 Coils or wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12063 electrolytically detachable

Abstract

The present invention relates to detachment mechanisms for delivering and releasing implantable devices into a body lumen. According to certain aspects, systems of the invention include a junction that couples an implantable device to a delivery member. The junction includes an anodic portion and a cathodic portion galvanically coupled to the anodic portion such that the anodic portion corrodes when exposed to an electrolytic fluid, thereby detaching the implantable device from the delivery member without application of energy from an external power source.

Claims

1. A system for delivering an implantable device into a body lumen, the system comprising

a junction coupling an implantable device to a delivery member, the junction comprising an anodic portion and a first cathodic portion galvanically coupled to the anodic portion such that the anodic portion corrodes when exposed to an electrolytic fluid, thereby detaching the implantable device from the delivery member without application of energy from an external power source.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the anodic portion is operably coupled to a distal portion of the delivery member, a proximal portion of the implantable device, or both.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the anodic portion is a thin film or layer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first cathodic portion is a tubular structure.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first cathodic portion forms an overlapping joint with one or more of the anodic portion, a distal portion of the delivery member, and a proximal portion of the implantable device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the junction further comprises a second cathodic portion.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first cathodic portion is operably coupled to a proximal portion of the implantable device and the second cathodic portion is operably coupled to a distal portion of the delivery member.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the anodic portion is flanked by the first cathodic portion and the second cathodic portion.

9. The system of the claim 1, wherein the electrolytic fluid is selected from the group consisting of blood, saline, and a combination thereof.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first cathodic portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, platinum alloys, platinum-iridium alloys, tantalum, stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloys, and cobalt-chromium alloys.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the anodic portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of magnesium and magnesium alloys.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sheath configured to at least partially cover the junction.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the sheath is comprises a permeable or perforated membrane that inhibits exposures of the electrolytic fluid to the junction.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the sheath is pulled back to expose the junction to the electrolytic fluid.

15. A system for delivering an implantable device into a body lumen, the system comprising

a delivery member configured to place an implantable device into a body lumen;

and

a junction coupling the delivery member to the implantable device, the junction comprising a first anodic portion and a first cathodic portion galvanically coupled to the anodic portion such that the anodic portion corrodes when exposed to an electrolytic fluid, thereby detaching the implantable device from the delivery member without application of energy from an external power source.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the anodic portion is operably coupled to a distal portion of the delivery member, a proximal portion of the implantable device, or both.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the anodic portion is a thin film or layer.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the first cathodic portion is a tubular structure.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the first cathodic portion forms an overlapping joint with one or more of the anodic portion, a distal portion of the delivery member, and a proximal portion of the implantable device.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the junction further comprises a second cathodic portion.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the first cathodic portion is operably coupled to a proximal portion of the implantable device and the second cathodic portion is operably coupled to a distal portion of the delivery member.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the anodic portion is flanked by the first cathodic portion and the second cathodic portion.

23. The system of the claim 15, wherein the electrolytic fluid is selected from the group consisting of blood, saline, and a combination thereof.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein the first cathodic portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, platinum alloys, platinum-iridium alloys, tantalum, stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloys, and cobalt-chromium alloys.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein the anodic portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of magnesium and magnesium alloys.

26. The system of claim 15, further comprising a sheath configured to at least partially cover the junction.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the sheath is comprises a permeable or perforated membrane that inhibits exposure of the electrolytic fluid to the junction.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the sheath is pulled back to expose the junction to the electrolytic fluid.

29. A method for delivering an implantable device into a body lumen, the method comprising:

introducing, into a body lumen, a delivery member coupled to an implantable device via a junction, the junction comprising an anodic portion and a cathodic portion galvanically coupled to the anodic portion;

exposing the junction to an electrolytic fluid in order to corrode the anodic portion, wherein corrosion of the anodic portion detaches the implantable device from the delivery member without application of energy from an external power source.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising positioning, with the delivery member, the implantable device into a target implantation site.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the exposing step occurs during or after the positioning step.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the delivery member further comprises a sheath, and the exposing step comprises pulling back the sheath to expose the junction to the electrolytic fluid.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the exposing step comprises introducing electrolytic fluid into the body lumen from an external fluid source.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the electrolytic fluid is introduced via the delivery member.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the electrolytic fluid is introduced via a separate fluid delivery catheter.

36. The system of claim 29, wherein the cathodic portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, platinum alloys, platinum-iridium alloys, tantalum, stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloys, and cobalt-chromium alloys.

37. The system of claim 29, wherein the anodic portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of magnesium and magnesium alloys.