System and method for mechanically positioning intravascular implants

摘要

An intravascular implant delivery system carries an implant by retaining an engagement member engaging the implant in a position proximal of an aperture at a distal end of the delivery system. The engagement member is retained proximal to the aperture by a cord that obstructs the movement of the engagement member through the aperture. The engagement member is free to rotate and move within an area defined by the delivery system, allowing the implant to react to forces imparted to the implant by the movement of the delivery system and implant through a delivery catheter. Once the implant is in a desired implant position, the cord is moved away from an aperture and the engagement member is allowed to move away from the delivery system.

主权项

1. An apparatus for therapeutic implant delivery and retrieval, comprising:
a tubular wall having a distal end and a tubular wall inner cross-sectional dimension at an internal cavity, the tubular wall distal end comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, a distal end surface, and a port extending through the distal end surface along a longitudinal axis of the tubular wall, the inner surface of the tubular wall distal end at least partially enclosing the internal cavity communicating with the port, the port having a port inner cross-sectional dimension, less than the tubular wall inner cross-sectional dimension; a cord disposed in the internal cavity comprising a distal end disposed in the port; and an implant disposed distal of the tubular wall distal end surface and comprising an extension extending proximally through the port and past a proximally facing surface of the port and adjacent to the cord, the extension configured to engage the cord while the cord distal end is disposed in the port and while the extension is disposed within the internal cavity, wherein the cord is configured to disengage from the extension by moving the cord distal end proximally from the port to within the internal cavity; wherein the tubular wall inner cross-sectional dimension is greater than the port cross-sectional dimension along the length of the tubular wall.