Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic device, such as an embolic coil, at a predetermined site within a vessel of the body including a delivery catheter and a flexible pusher member slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter. An embolic device having a headpiece coupled to the proximal end is releasably disposed within the distal end of the pusher member and retained in place by a retractable fiber, having a coiled distal portion. When the embolic device is advanced to the predetermined site within the vessel, the detachment fiber is retracted from around the headpiece of the embolic device to thereby release the embolic device.

Abstract: Use of an interventional medical device system operable while within a body vessel is provided with a generally hollow tubular proximal portion, distal portion, and intermediate portion. The proximal portion and at least part of the distal portion remains outside of the body in use, with the remainder of the distal portion positioned within the body. The intermediate portion includes a spiral ribbon having adjacent turns, with at least one frangible bridge member between two adjacent turns. The proximal and distal portions are movable away from each other by elongating the spiral ribbon and, eventually, breaking the frangible bridge member. According to the method of using such a system to deploy an implantable medical device, such as an embolic coil, an actuation member is moved proximally with the proximal portion to disengage a bond or joint between the actuation member and the implantable medical device.

Abstract: An interventional medical device system operable while within a body vessel is provided with a generally hollow tubular proximal portion, distal portion, and intermediate portion. The proximal portion and at least part of the distal portion remains outside of the body in use, with the remainder of the distal portion positioned within the body. The intermediate portion includes a spiral ribbon having adjacent turns, with at least one frangible bridge member between two adjacent turns. The proximal and distal portions are movable away from each other by elongating the spiral ribbon and, eventually, breaking the frangible bridge member. According to a method of using such a system to deploy an implantable medical device, such as an embolic coil, an actuation member is moved proximally with the proximal portion to disengage a bond or joint between the actuation member and the implantable medical device.

Abstract: Use of an interventional medical device system operable while within a body vessel is provided with a generally hollow tubular proximal portion, distal portion, and intermediate portion. The proximal portion and at least part of the distal portion remains outside of the body in use, with the remainder of the distal portion positioned within the body. The intermediate portion includes a spiral ribbon having adjacent turns, with at least one frangible bridge member between two adjacent turns. The proximal and distal portions are movable away from each other by elongating the spiral ribbon and, eventually, breaking the frangible bridge member. According to the method of using such a system to deploy an implantable medical device, such as an embolic coil, an actuation member is moved proximally with the proximal portion to disengage a bond or joint between the actuation member and the implantable medical device.

Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic device, such as an embolic coil, at a predetermined site within a vessel of the body including a delivery catheter and a flexible pusher member slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter. An embolic device having a headpiece coupled to the proximal end is releasably disposed within the distal end of the pusher member and retained in place by a retractable fiber, having a coiled distal portion. When the embolic device is advanced to the predetermined site within the vessel, the detachment fiber is retracted from around the headpiece of the embolic device to thereby release the embolic device.

Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic device, such as an embolic coil, at a predetermined site within a vessel of the body including a delivery catheter and a flexible pusher member slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter. An embolic device having a headpiece coupled to the proximal end is releasably disposed within the distal end of the pusher member and retained in place by a retractable fiber, having a coiled distal portion. When the embolic device is advanced to the predetermined site within the vessel, the detachment fiber is retracted from around the headpiece of the embolic device to thereby release the embolic device.

Abstract: A coil device is provided with a stretch resistant feature. The device includes a wound coil defining a lumen and a stretch resistant member at least partially received within the lumen. A headpiece is formed by a joining of the coil and a restrictor member, typically by plasma welding. The restrictor member is also at least partially received within the lumen and defines an aperture adapted to movably receive a portion of the stretch resistant member to allow the wound coil to stretch and elongate. The stretch resistant member includes an enlarged portion that is larger than the aperture and adapted to engage the restrictor member to prevent or resist stretching of the wound coil. The restrictor member may be provided as a separate element fixedly secured to the coil wire, or the coil wire may include one or more minor turns adapted to perform the function of the restrictor member.

Abstract: A component for use as or for incorporation within a medical instrument navigable through body vessels of a human subject is provided. The component includes a tubular portion with an interrupted spiral defined by alternating cut and uncut sections. The sum of the arcuate extents of each bridge section and a cut section adjacent to the bridge section in end-to-end fashion is neither a whole number factor of 360 degrees nor a multiple of 90 degrees; this provides uniform rigidity, flexibility, and stretch resistance in all bending planes. The device further includes multiple sections, the pitch of the spiral varying from section to section in order to vary the sections' flexibilities.

Abstract: A component for use as or incorporation within a medical instrument navigable through body vessels of a human subject is provided. The component includes a tubular portion with an interrupted spiral defined by alternating cut and uncut sections. The interrupted spiral has a rigidity between that of a continuous cut spiral and an uncut tube. The rigidity of the interrupted spiral along its length may be varied by changing its pitch or the number of bridge members or the length of each bridge member. According to a method of manufacturing such a component, a tubular member and a cutting member are provided. At least one of the tubular member and the cutting member is moved though an angle defining a helical path with respect to the other, while the cutting member is alternated between cutting and not cutting the tubular member to form an interrupted spiral.

Abstract: A coil device is provided with a stretch resistant feature. The device includes a wound coil defining a lumen and a stretch resistant member at least partially received within the lumen. A headpiece is formed by a joining of the coil and a restrictor member, typically by plasma welding. The restrictor member is also at least partially received within the lumen and defines an aperture adapted to movably receive a portion of the stretch resistant member to allow the wound coil to stretch and elongate. The stretch resistant member includes an enlarged portion that is larger than the aperture and adapted to engage the restrictor member to prevent or resist stretching of the wound coil. The restrictor member may be provided as a separate element fixedly secured to the coil wire, or the coil wire may include one or more minor turns adapted to perform the function of the restrictor member.

Abstract: An interventional medical device system operable while within a body vessel is provided with a generally hollow tubular proximal portion, distal portion, and intermediate portion. The proximal portion and at least part of the distal portion remains outside of the body in use, with the remainder of the distal portion positioned within the body. The intermediate portion includes a spiral ribbon having adjacent turns, with at least one frangible bridge member between two adjacent turns. The proximal and distal portions are movable away from each other by elongating the spiral ribbon and, eventually, breaking the frangible bridge member. According to a method of using such a system to deploy an implantable medical device, such as an embolic coil, an actuation member is moved proximally with the proximal portion to disengage a bond or joint between the actuation member and the implantable medical device.