Positioning and detaching implants

• US 9,579,104 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2011
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Beckham, David Scott, Andrews, Christopher Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): MILES, JONATHAN WADE
• Application Number:
  US13/308,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20130138136A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,917 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12113 within an aneurysm
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12136 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1214 Coils or wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12154 having stretch limiting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12168 having a mesh structure A61B17/1214 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12054 Details concerning the detachment of the occluding device from the introduction device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49925 Inward deformation of aperture or hollow body wall
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49934 by axially applying force

Abstract

Intravascular implant systems and methods of positioning and detaching implants are described. One such system carries an implant by retaining an engagement member in a position proximal to an aperture at a distal end of the delivery system. The engagement member is retained proximal to the aperture by an elongate member that is coupled to the implant. Once the implant is in a desired implant position, the elongate member is released from the engagement member, and the implant is allowed to move away from the delivery system.

Claims

1. An assembly for deploying an implant into an aneurysm, comprising:

a tubular member having (a) a member lumen in the tubular member and (b) an opening at a distal end portion of the tubular member;

a coil implant configured for placement into an aneurysm and having (a) a coil;

(b) a coil lumen extending longitudinally within the coil; and

(c) a securing member (i) extending within the coil lumen, (ii) coupled to the coil at a distal region of the securing member, and (iii) having an enlarged proximal portion larger than, and positioned distal to, the opening, the enlarged portion having a proximally facing surface; and

an elongate member extending in the member lumen, through the opening, and coupled to the enlarged portion, the elongate member being moveable through the opening to bring the proximally facing surface of the enlarged portion into contact with the distal end portion of the tubular member;

wherein proximal movement of the elongate member relative to the distal end portion results in the enlarged portion contacting the distal end portion and separating from the elongate member.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the enlarged portion is substantially spherical.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the separating occurs at a location within the enlarged portion.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the separating comprises breaking the elongate member.

5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the separating comprises breaking the elongate member at the location.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a stop element, coupled to the elongate member and residing in the member lumen, the stop element contacting the distal end portion upon distal movement of the elongate member relative to the tubular member.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein stop element is larger than the opening.

8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the stop element is substantially spherical.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongate member has a frictional coupling with the enlarged portion.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the separating occurs when a force applied to the elongate member during the proximal movement exceeds a force maintaining the frictional coupling.

11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the separating comprises sliding the elongate member out of the enlarged portion.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the sliding comprises sliding the elongate member out of an aperture in the enlarged portion.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the separating comprises sliding the elongate member out of the enlarged portion.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the sliding comprises sliding the elongate member out of an aperture in the enlarged portion.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongate member extends distally beyond the enlarged portion.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the elongate member extends through the enlarged portion.

17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the elongate member, distal to the enlarged portion, has an undulating profile.

18. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the elongate member, distal to the enlarged portion, has a profile having a pattern of peaks.

19. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the elongate member, distal to the enlarged portion, extends helically.

20. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the elongate member has (i) a frictional coupling with the enlarged portion and (ii) an undulating profile distal to the enlarged portion.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the elongate member, distal to the enlarged portion, comprises a shape memory material.

22. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the separating occurs when a force of the proximal movement exceeds both (a) a force maintaining the frictional coupling and (b) a force required to change the undulating profile as the elongate member is drawn proximally past the enlarged portion.

23. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the enlarged portion comprises a proximal coil portion having a proximal lumen, and the elongate member extends through the proximal lumen.

24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the coil portion is crimped on the elongate member, forming a frictional coupling between the coil portion and the elongate member.

25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the separating occurs when a force applied to the elongate member during the proximal movement exceeds a force maintaining the frictional coupling.

26. A method for deploying an implant into an aneurysm, comprising:

advancing in a patient'"'"'s vasculature;

(i) a tubular member comprising (a) a member lumen in the tubular member and (b) an opening at a distal end portion of the tubular member;

(ii) a coil implant configured for placement into an aneurysm and comprising (a) a coil;

(b) a coil lumen extending longitudinally within the coil; and

(c) a securing member (i) extending within the coil lumen, (ii) coupled to the coil at a distal region of the securing member, and (iii) having an enlarged proximal portion larger than, and positioned distal to, the opening, the enlarged portion having a proximally facing surface; and

(iii) an elongate member extending in the member lumen, through the opening, and coupled to the enlarged portion; and

withdrawing the elongate member proximally relative to the tubular member and through the opening, to release the coil at an aneurysm, until the proximally facing surface of the enlarged portion contacts the end portion and the enlarged portion separates from the elongate member.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the enlarged portion separating from the elongate member occurs at a location within the enlarged portion.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the enlarged portion separating from the elongate member comprises breaking the elongate member.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the enlarged portion separating from the elongate member comprises breaking the elongate member within the enlarged portion.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the enlarged portion separating from the elongate member occurs when a force applied to the elongate member during the withdrawing exceeds a force maintaining a frictional coupling between the elongate member and the enlarged portion.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the enlarged portion separating from the elongate member comprises pulling the elongate member from within the enlarged portion.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the enlarged portion separating from the elongate member comprises withdrawing a distal segment of the elongate member through the enlarged portion, the distal segment having a curved profile.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the elongate member has a curved profile comprising a wave profile.

34. An assembly for deploying an implant into an aneurysmal space in a vessel in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

a tubular member having (a) a member lumen in the tubular member and (b) an opening at a distal end portion of the tubular member;

a coil implant having a coil, an enlarged portion positioned in the member lumen proximal to the opening, and a stop element larger than, and positioned distal to, the opening, the stop element being positioned between the coil and the enlarged portion, the stop element having a proximally facing surface; and

an elongate member extending in the lumen, the elongate member having a distal segment that extends, in the member lumen, past part of the enlarged portion and contacts a distal-facing surface of the enlarged portion, thereby retaining the enlarged portion in the member lumen;

wherein proximal movement of the elongate member relative to the end portion and through the opening results in the proximally facing surface of the stop element coming in contact with the end portion and deformation of the distal segment to release the enlarged portion from the member lumen.

35. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the enlarged portion is substantially spherical.

36. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the segment extends around part of the enlarged portion.

37. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the opening is sized to prevent passage of the distal segment through the opening.

38. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the coil implant comprises a coil having a lumen and a securing member (i) extending within the coil lumen, (ii) coupled to the coil at a distal region of the securing member, and (iii) coupled, at a proximal region of the securing member, to the enlarged portion.

39. The assembly of claim 38, wherein the stop element is configured to contact the distal end portion upon proximal movement of the elongate member relative to the tubular member.

40. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the enlarged portion releasing from the member lumen occurs as the distal segment slides between the enlarged portion and the tubular member.

42. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the distal segment forms a socket that receives the enlarged portion.

43. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the stop element comprises a coil.

44. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the stop element is substantially spherical.

45. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the enlarged portion releasing from the member lumen occurs by the distal segment pivoting, within the lumen, about the enlarged portion.

46. The assembly of claim 45, wherein the distal segment pivoting about the enlarged portion results in the distal segment losing contact with the distal-facing surface.

47. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the enlarged portion releasing from the member lumen occurs by the distal segment tilting within the lumen.

48. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the distal segment comprises a slot that receives, within the lumen, a portion of the coil implant distal to the enlarged portion.

49. The assembly of claim 48, wherein the distal segment covers substantially the entire distal-facing surface.

50. The assembly of claim 34, wherein:

the coil implant comprises a coil having a lumen and a securing member (i) extending within the coil lumen, (ii) coupled to the coil at a distal region of the securing member, and (iii) coupled, at a proximal region of the securing member, to the enlarged portion; and

the distal segment comprises a slot that receives, within the lumen, a portion of the securing member.

51. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the distal segment covers substantially the entire distal-facing surface.

41. The assembly of 34, wherein the distal segment extends around opposed surfaces of the enlarged portion.

52. A method for deploying an implant into an aneurysm, comprising:

positioning in a patient'"'"'s vasculature;

(i) a tubular member having (a) a member lumen in the tubular member and (b) an opening at a distal end portion of the tubular member;

(ii) a coil implant having a coil, an enlarged portion positioned in the member lumen proximal to the opening, and a stop element larger than, and positioned distal to, the opening, the stop element being positioned between the coil and the enlarged portion, the stop element having a proximally facing surface; and

(iii) an elongate member extending in the lumen, the elongate member having a distal segment that extends past part of the enlarged portion, in the member lumen, and contacts a distal-facing surface of the enlarged portion, thereby retaining the enlarged portion in the member lumen; and

moving the elongate member proximally relative to the tubular member and through the opening to bring the proximally facing surface of the stop element into contact with the end portion of the tubular member and deform the distal segment, thereby releasing the enlarged portion from the member lumen.