Systems and methods for detaching a covering from an implantable medical device

• US 6,846,316 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2001
• Issued: 01/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLC (Stryker Corporation), TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Abrams, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo, Julian W.
• Application Number:
  US10/001,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20020038132A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 606/194, 606/195, 606/153, 606/200, 606/99, 604/164.09, 623/1.11, 623/1.12
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12022 Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12109 in a blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12113 within an aneurysm
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12168 having a mesh structure A61B17/1214 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1205 Introduction devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12063 electrolytically detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/07 Stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/075 the stent being loosely attached to the graft material, e.g. by stitching
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/008 paraboloidal

Abstract

An endoprosthesis cover may be attached to the distal end of a delivery device. The cover may be generally cylindrical in shape and may have a lumen through it. An endoprosthesis may then be covered as it is delivered to a treatment site.

Claims

1. A device for delivering an expandable prosthesis in a body lumen comprising:

an elongate body having a distal end and a lumen therethrough;

an expandable prosthesis; and

an expandable sheath releasably attached to the distal end of the body, the sheath having a distal opening and a lumen therethrough, the sheath located distal to the expandable prosthesis when the expandable prosthesis is in the elongate body lumen, wherein the sheath is configured to receive the expandable prosthesis when the expandable prosthesis is delivered outside of the elongate body lumen.

2. The sheath of claim 1 wherein the expandable sheath is releasably attached with a releasable attachment, wherein the releasable attachment comprises an adhesive calibrated to detach from the elongate body when a sufficient expansion force is applied to the sheath by the expandable prosthesis.

3. The sheath of claim 1 wherein the expandable sheath is releasably attached with a releasable attachment, wherein the releasable attachment comprises a circumferential perforation configured to detach from the elongate body when a sufficient expansion force is applied to the sheath by the expandable prosthesis.

4. The sheath of claim 1 further comprising perforations to allow blood porosity and to enhance distensability.

5. The expandable prosthesis of claim 1 comprising a stent.

6. The expandable prosthesis of claim 1 comprising a coil.

7. The expandable prosthesis of claim 1 comprising a wire having a pre-curved shape that forms upon delivery into the expandable sheath.

8. A detachable prosthesis cover comprising:

a tubular member;

a prosthesis; and

a generally tubular sheath having a lumen therethrough and a proximal region of the sheath circumferentially surrounding a distal end of the tubular member, the sheath located distal to the prosthesis when the prosthesis is being delivered through the tubular member, wherein the sheath is configured to capture the prosthesis delivered into the lumen and separate from the tubular member.

9. The prosthesis of claim 8 comprising a stent.

10. The expandable prosthesis of claim 8 comprising a coil.

11. The sheath of claim 8 further comprising perforations to allow blood porosity and to enhance distensability.

12. The prosthesis of claim 8 comprising a wire having a pre-curved shape that forms upon delivery into the generally tubular sheath.

13. A method of delivering a prosthesis comprising:

providing a delivery system comprising a tubular member, a sheath releasably affixed to the tubular member, a prosthesis, and an actuator for deploying the prosthesis;

advancing a distal end of the tubular member through a body vessel to a position within a human body;

delivering the prosthesis into a lumen of the sheath; and

deploying the prosthesis such that the sheath is positioned between the prosthesis and a vessel wall while maintaining a patent fluid path through the vessel.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising detaching the sheath from the tubular member as the prosthesis is deployed.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the prosthesis is deployed in an aneurysm neck.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the prosthesis is deployed in an aneurysm.