Interlocking loop coupling/decoupling system for deploying vascular implant devices
Inventors
Shabaz, Martin • Plaza, Claudio • Quick, Richard • Lubock, Paul • Cox, Brian J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10531877-B2
Publication Date
2020-01-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
In a system and method for deployment of an implant device, the implant device includes a first loop at its proximal end, and a deployment tool has a second loop attached at its distal end. A release wire slidably disposed within the deployment tool has a distal end extending through the first and second loops to releasably couple the implant device to the deployment tool, and a proximal portion extending from a proximal end of the deployment tool, which is held in a retraction device. The retraction device is operable to hold the proximal end of the deployment tool and to pull the release wire proximally through the deployment tool until the distal end of the release wire is withdrawn from the first and second loops to decouple the implant device from the deployment tool.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a device for retracting a release wire having a distal end releasably coupling a vascular implant device to a distal end of an intravascularly-introduced deployment tool. The retraction device includes a housing with a distal opening configured for receiving the proximal portion of the deployment tool from which the proximal portion of the release wire is exposed, and a gripping assembly in the housing configured for releasably gripping the exposed proximal portion of the release wire.
The invention further provides a guide assembly movably mounted in the housing between a distal position and a proximal position, operatively connected to the gripping assembly to move the gripping assembly between engagement with and disengagement from the exposed proximal portion of the release wire. An actuator having an external portion is configured for manipulation distally and proximally by a user, and an internal portion is operatively connected to the guide assembly for moving the guide assembly between the distal position and the proximal position.
The gripping assembly comprises a fixed gripping element fixed in position in the housing and a movable gripping element operatively connected to the guide assembly. The movable gripping element is moved between engagement with the exposed proximal portion of the release wire when the guide assembly is in an intermediate position and disengagement from the exposed proximal portion of the release wire when the guide assembly is in the proximal position.
The background problem addressed is that decoupling an implant using a release wire without introducing undesirable mechanical effects is needed, including minimizing axial force during decoupling and controlling how the release wire is withdrawn from coupling loops with limited undesirable wire movement under friction. The disclosed system is described as an interlocking-loop vascular implant coupling/decoupling system in which an implant loop at an implant proximal end and a tool loop at the deployment-tool distal end are temporarily coupled and then decoupled by single-action proximal withdrawal of the release wire.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 covers a retraction device for a release wire that releasably couples a vascular implant device to an intravascular deployment tool, using a housing-mounted gripping assembly controlled by a movably mounted guide assembly actuated by a user-manipulated actuator. Dependent claims clm-00002 through clm-00005 refine the engagement/disengagement behavior and guide-path/lever implementation details by adding positional intermediate/proximal behavior, biasing, a closed-loop track, and a lever guide-arm arrangement.
Housing with distal opening and gripping assembly for exposed release wire
A housing having a distal opening configured for receiving the proximal portion of the deployment tool from which the proximal portion of the release wire is exposed; a gripping assembly in the housing and configured for releasably gripping the exposed proximal portion of the release wire.
Movably mounted guide assembly controlled by user-manipulated actuator
A guide assembly movably mounted in the housing between a distal position and a proximal position, operatively connected to the gripping assembly to move the gripping assembly between engagement with and disengagement from the exposed proximal portion of the release wire; and an actuator having an external portion configured for manipulation distally and proximally by a user, and an internal portion operatively connected to the guide assembly for moving the guide assembly between the distal position and the proximal position.
Fixed and movable gripping elements driven by lever and track
The gripping assembly comprises a fixed gripping element fixed in position in the housing, and a movable gripping element operatively connected to the guide assembly to be moved between a position of engagement with the exposed proximal portion of the release wire when the guide assembly is in an intermediate position and a position of disengagement from the exposed proximal portion of the release wire when the guide assembly is in the proximal position; wherein the guide assembly comprises a lever having a first end in which the movable gripping element is disposed, and a second end movably seated in a guide path defined by a track in the guide assembly.
Track-driven engagement and disengagement based on guide assembly movement
The track is configured to move the lever so as bring the movable gripping element into engagement with the exposed proximal portion of the release wire as the guide assembly is moved proximally, and to move the lever to disengage the movable gripping element from the exposed proximal portion of the release wire as the guide assembly is moved distally.
Intermediate-position engagement and proximal-position disengagement
The movable gripping element engages the exposed proximal portion of the release wire when the guide assembly is in an intermediate position, and disengages from the exposed proximal portion of the release wire when the guide assembly is in the proximal position.
Distal-position biasing of the guide assembly
The guide assembly is configured to be biased toward the distal position.
Closed-loop track defining the guide path
The track defining the guide path is configured to form a closed loop.
Lever second end as movably engaged guide arm with track
The lever has a second end movably seated in a guide path defined by a track, wherein the movable gripping element is disposed in the first end of the lever and the second end provides a movably engaged relationship with the track as a guide arm.
Across clm-00001 and its dependents, the claim coverage centers on a housing-mounted retraction device that grips an exposed proximal portion of a release wire and moves between engagement and disengagement states using a guide assembly that travels between distal and proximal positions. Movement control is achieved through a user-manipulated actuator and a lever seated in a track, with positional behavior that includes engagement in an intermediate position and disengagement in a proximal position, and with further refinement by biasing toward the distal position and a lever/guide-arm relationship to the track.
Stated Advantages
Decoupling by proximal withdrawal of the release wire with minimal axial force during decoupling.
Minimal axial force during decoupling by withdrawing the release wire from both loops.
Control of undesirable wire movement under friction using an overcoil with release-wire ferrule and stop tube.
Documented Applications
Interlocking-loop vascular implant coupling/decoupling system for temporarily coupling an implant loop at an implant proximal end to a tool loop at the deployment-tool distal end using a slidably routed release wire, and decoupling by proximal withdrawal of the release wire.
Use with an intravascularly-introduced deployment tool for decoupling a vascular implant device.
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