Systems, devices and methods for delivery systems
Inventors
Haynes, Evelyn N. • Gregg, Peter W. • Boyette, Jeremy J. • Noe, Spencer C. • Wallace, Daniel T.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12734055-B2
Publication Date
2026-09-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
Delivery systems for expandable and stented implants include adjustable tensioning members that control the expansion of the implant along the length of the implant. The tensioning members are wound onto one or more rotors located on the distal segment of the delivery system, which are rotated to unwind the tensioning members and incrementally expand the implant. Positioning mechanisms are also provided to adjust the position and orientation of the implant during delivery.
Core Innovation
The disclosed system comprises a delivery catheter with a proximal handle and actuator, a catheter body, a rotatable drive shaft, and a distal rotor disc, together with an expandable stent structure. A tensioning member is fixedly coupled to the rotor disc, releasably coupled to the expandable stent structure, and at least partially wound about the rotor disc. Actuation of the rotor disc unwinds and extends the tensioning member from the delivery catheter to permit controlled expansion of the expandable stent structure.
The delivery catheter incorporates distal rotor and stator assemblies to control staged expansion and release, addressing proximal-line stretch or slippage during implant expansion. Systems with multiple rotors permit implant regions to expand equally, sequentially, or at different rates. Additional embodiments include steering and catheter-extension assemblies configured to adjust distal pose and longitudinal position, accommodating expandable stent structures such as double-wall heart-valve stents.
Claims Coverage
The two independent claims cover two inventive features directed to an expandable stent delivery system and a delivery catheter.
System with a rotor-disc tensioning member
Claim 1 covers a system comprising a delivery catheter and an expandable stent structure approximate to a distal rotor disc. The delivery catheter includes a proximal-handle actuator coupled to a rotatable drive shaft and the distal rotor disc, with a tensioning member fixedly coupled to the rotor disc and releasably coupled to the stent structure. The tensioning member is at least partially wound about the rotor disc, such that actuation unwinds and extends the tensioning member from the delivery catheter to permit expansion of the expandable stent structure.
Delivery catheter with a rotor-disc tensioning member
Claim 18 covers a delivery catheter comprising a proximal handle with an actuator, a catheter body, a rotatable drive shaft, and a distal rotor disc having an attachment site. A tensioning member is fixedly coupled to the rotor disc and releasably coupleable to an expandable stent structure. When coupled, the tensioning member is at least partially wound about the rotor disc, such that actuation unwinds and extends the tensioning member from the catheter to permit expansion of the expandable stent structure.
The independent claims cover both a system comprising a catheter with an expandable stent structure and the catheter alone, each centered on an actuator-driven distal rotor disc that unwinds and extends a tensioning member to permit stent expansion.
Stated Advantages
Actuation of the rotor disc unwinds and extends the tensioning member from the delivery catheter to permit expansion of the expandable stent structure.
The rotor and tensioning-member arrangement avoids proximal-line stretch or slippage during implant expansion.
Multiple rotors permit implant regions to expand equally, sequentially, or at different rates.
Documented Applications
The delivery catheter is described for transcatheter mitral valve replacement.
The described applications include expandable or stented implants, including heart valve implants and double-wall heart-valve stents.
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