ENCIRCLING IMPLANT DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A device for delivering through a catheter an encircling implant around a portion of a target structure in a body, the device comprising:
- first and second delivery limbs linked at an articulation region between distal ends of the first and second limbs by a continuous flexible encircling implant that is to be delivered and which extends through or over the first and second limbs to maintain the distal ends of the first and second limbs together in an articulating relationship at a distal articulation tip,wherein at least a distal limb portion of each limb is resiliently deformable into the delivery shape but when not deformed into the delivery shape is configured to cooperatively form with the contralateral limb a loop that can be placed circumferentially around the portion of the target structure in order to locate the encircling implant around the portion of the target structure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Delivery devices for delivering encircling implants can include two separate limbs that are held together at a distal articulation by the implant being delivered. The implant can comprise a suture and/or a braided tube. The implant can extend through or over the limbs. The implant and at least a distal portion of the limbs can be compressible into a delivery shape that allows for advancement through the lumen of a delivery catheter. When the distal portion of the limbs move out of the delivery catheter, the limbs and implant can resiliently assume a loop shape that is complementary to a shape of a target around which the encircling implant is to be placed. The limbs are then retracted from along the implant to leave the implant in the desired delivery position. The delivery device can be used to place encircling implants around the heart or other targets, and the implant can be tightened to exert compressive force on the target.
29 Citations
52 Claims
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1. A device for delivering through a catheter an encircling implant around a portion of a target structure in a body, the device comprising:
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first and second delivery limbs linked at an articulation region between distal ends of the first and second limbs by a continuous flexible encircling implant that is to be delivered and which extends through or over the first and second limbs to maintain the distal ends of the first and second limbs together in an articulating relationship at a distal articulation tip, wherein at least a distal limb portion of each limb is resiliently deformable into the delivery shape but when not deformed into the delivery shape is configured to cooperatively form with the contralateral limb a loop that can be placed circumferentially around the portion of the target structure in order to locate the encircling implant around the portion of the target structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 52)
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12. (canceled)
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14. (canceled)
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20. A device for delivering a continuous flexible encircling implant around a portion of a target structure in a subject'"'"'s body, the device comprising:
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a flexible delivery catheter having a lumen, a proximal end for controlling the catheter and a distal delivery end for introduction into the body; a guide comprising first and second delivery limbs maintained in an articulating relationship at a distal articulation tip by the continuous flexible encircling implant, wherein the encircling implant extends through or over the first and second delivery limbs and bridges a gap between distal ends of the first and second delivery limbs to form the articulation tip, wherein at least distal portions of the first and second delivery limbs are resiliently deformable into a delivery shape to extend along the longitudinal axis of the delivery catheter, but resiliently assume a loop shape cooperatively formed by the two distal limb portions when not deformed into the delivery shape, and the loop shape has a size and shape substantially complementary to a feature of the target structure such that the distal limb portions cause the encircling implant to assume a loop for placement of the encircling implant around the target structure. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28)
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27. (canceled)
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29. A method of delivering an encircling implant for placement around a target structure in a body the method comprising:
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advancing delivery limbs of a delivery guide through an elongated delivery catheter, the delivery catheter comprising a lumen, a proximal control end, and a distal end, with an articulated tip of the delivery guide being advanced through the delivery catheter ahead of the delivery limbs, and with the delivery limbs substantially conforming to the shape of the lumen of the delivery catheter; wherein the delivery limbs are maintained in an articulating relationship at the articulation tip by a continuous flexible encircling implant, wherein the encircling implant extends through or over the delivery limbs and bridges a gap between adjacent ends of the delivery limbs to form the articulation tip; and further advancing the delivery limbs relative to the delivery catheter until the distal limb portions of the delivery limbs emerge from the lumen at the distal end of the delivery catheter and resiliently assume a loop shape causing the encircling implant to form a loop, while at least a portion of the delivery limbs or a proximal guide member attached to the delivery limbs is retained within the delivery catheter. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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- 36. (canceled)
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40. (canceled)
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43. (canceled)
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50-51. -51. (canceled)
Specification