Scaffold loading and delivery systems
Inventors
Merlo, Jon • Core, Lee • Prahl, Garrett • White, Travis • Goh, Bryan • Beyreis, Randy
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10973664-B2
Publication Date
2021-04-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
This disclosure pertains, inter alia, to scaffold loading and delivery devices, assemblies, systems and methods of using the same.
Core Innovation
The invention is directed to a loading assembly for a scaffold that includes a funnel assembly and a loading aid assembly. The funnel assembly has a tapered funnel structure with a loading lumen defined by a tapered region and a slotted wall surrounding the loading lumen, and the tapered funnel structure provides a loading lumen having a loading axis and open distal and proximal ends.
The loading aid assembly includes a receptacle, a scaffold held by a plurality of loading pins, and a receptacle lumen having an open receptacle lumen end and a receptacle axis. The loading pins extend from the receptacle wall into the receptacle lumen and through the scaffold wall, holding the scaffold so that the scaffold axis is coaxial with the receptacle axis.
The loading aid assembly is configured to receive the distal end of the tapered funnel structure within the receptacle lumen such that at least a portion of the tapered funnel structure wall is positioned between the outer abluminal surface and the inner luminal surface of the receptacle wall. Longitudinal movement of the loading aid assembly in a proximal direction relative to the funnel assembly causes proximal longitudinal movement of the loading pins within the longitudinal slots of the tapered funnel structure and proximal longitudinal movement of at least the proximal scaffold end into the tapered region, reducing at least a portion of a diameter of the scaffold.
Claims Coverage
The partial content explicitly provides one independent claim (clm-00001) and multiple dependent claims (clm-00002, clm-00003, clm-00004, clm-00005, clm-00006, clm-00007, clm-00008, clm-00009, clm-00010, clm-00011, clm-00012, clm-00013, clm-00014, clm-00015, clm-00016, clm-00017, clm-00018). The inventive features explicitly described for the claims center on the tapered, slotted funnel loading lumen, the receptacle-held scaffold by loading pins, and proximal movement that translates the pins within the slots to reduce scaffold diameter; dependent coverage further specifies pin/aperture geometry, a radially tapered pin-lift surface, a clamp, and stop-limited pin travel.
Coaxial tapered, slotted funnel loading lumen
A funnel assembly comprising a tapered funnel structure having a tapered region and a slotted wall surrounding a loading lumen, where the slotted wall has a plurality of longitudinal slots formed therein with open distal ends.
Receptacle-held scaffold by loading pins
A loading aid assembly comprising a receptacle with a receptacle lumen and a scaffold held by a plurality of loading pins, where the loading pins extend through the scaffold wall and hold the scaffold with a scaffold axis coaxial with a receptacle axis.
Funnel distal end received in receptacle lumen with intervening funnel wall
The loading aid assembly is configured to receive the distal end of the tapered funnel structure within the receptacle lumen such that at least a portion of the tapered funnel structure wall is positioned between the outer abluminal surface and an inner luminal surface of the receptacle wall, and such that loading pins are positioned within the longitudinal slots.
Proximal movement drives pin translation in slots and scaffold diameter reduction
Longitudinal movement of the loading aid assembly in a proximal direction relative to the funnel assembly results in proximal longitudinal movement of the loading pins within the longitudinal slots and proximal longitudinal movement of at least the proximal scaffold end into the tapered region reducing at least a portion of a diameter of the scaffold.
Enlarged loading pin portion width greater than aperture width
The loading assembly includes loading pin shafts extending through an aperture in a receptacle wall into the receptacle lumen, with an enlarged portion whose width is greater than the aperture width.
Pin lift with radially tapered surface for radial movement
A pin lift with a radially tapered surface causes longitudinal relative movement to engage the loading pins and move them radially away from the receptacle axis.
Clamp configured to position a catheter delivery sheath
The funnel assembly adds a clamp configured to position a catheter delivery sheath so it can receive the scaffold from the loading lumen.
Stop-limited pin travel and scaffold positioned around enlarged inner-member portion
Loading aid assembly moves longitudinally toward the proximal direction relative to the funnel assembly until the loading pins reach a stop, wherein a proximal portion of the scaffold reduces in diameter by at least a proximal portion and is positioned around an enlarged diameter portion of an inner elongate member.
Across the explicitly described claim coverage, the core inventive structure is a loading assembly combining a tapered, slotted funnel with a receptacle-held scaffold and loading pins, where proximal movement translates pins within longitudinal slots and drives the scaffold proximal end into a tapered region to reduce scaffold diameter. Dependent coverage further specifies pin/aperture geometry, a radially tapered pin-lift surface, a clamp for a catheter delivery sheath, and stop-limited pin travel.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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