INTRALUMINAL IMPLANT DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD
Systems, devices, and methods for retracting a pull wire from a hypotube can include positioning a pull wire having an engagement bump on its proximal end within a channel of a device and sliding the pull wire proximally through a channel of a device by moving grippers of the device proximally to engage and slide the bump. Subsequent distal movement of the grippers can result in the grippers disengaging the bump without disturbing the position of the pull wire or causing the pull wire to move distally.
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This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/058,932, filed Aug. 8, 2018 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly, to deploying intraluminal implants.
BACKGROUNDNumerous intravascular implant devices are well known in the field. Many are deployed mechanically, via systems that combine one or more catheters and wires for delivery. Examples of implants that may be delivered mechanically include embolic elements, stents, grafts, drug delivery implants, etc. Some obstetric and gastrointestinal implants may also be implanted via similar systems that combine one or more catheters and wires. Devices that may be released or deployed by mechanical means vary greatly in design but can employ a similar delivery catheter and wire system. Many such catheter-based delivery systems include a wire for retention of the implant in the catheter until the time for release of the device. These systems are then actuated by retracting or pulling the wire relative to the catheter. Such a wire is referred to herein as a “pull wire”.
Precise deployment of the implant is crucial for the successful treatment of vascular and luminal abnormalities. For some applications, complications can arise if a pull wire is pulled proximally and then subsequently pushed distally.
It is an object of the invention to provide systems, devices, and methods for reducing complications in such applications.
SUMMARYDisclosed herein are various exemplary systems, devices, and methods of the present invention that can address the above needs. Examples in general can include an implantation device having a pull wire extending from a proximal end of a hypotube, and the pull wire can have an engagement bump or extending portion near a proximal end of the pull wire. Examples in general can additionally or alternatively include a device for retracting the pull wire from the hypotube. The retracting device can have a channel or groove in which the pull wire and engagement bump can be positioned and movable grippers or retractors that can be moved to engage the engagement bump of the pull wire. Once the engagement bump is engaged, if the grippers are subsequently moved proximally, the grippers can pull the pull wire proximally through the channel, or if the grippers are subsequently moved distally, the grippers can disengage the engagement bump without disturbing the position of the pull wire or causing the pull wire to move distally.
In one example, a system for deploying an implant can include a hypotube, a pull wire, an engagement bump positioned on the pull wire, a groove sized to slidably receive the engagement bump, and a movable gripper. The pull wire can be positioned within a lumen of the hypotube extending proximally out of the hypotube lumen, and the engagement bump can be positioned near a proximal end of the pull wire. The gripper can be movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction such that the gripper can engage the engagement bump upon movement in the proximal direction and disengage the engagement bump upon movement in the distal direction. A movement of the gripper in the proximal direction can solely engage the engagement bump of the pull wire and no other surface of the pull wire. The system can further include a space maintained between the gripper and a circumference of the pull wire.
The engagement bump can slide through a first length of the groove in the proximal direction upon a first movement of the gripper in the proximal direction, the engagement bump can remain stationary in relation to the groove upon a second movement of the gripper in the distal direction, and the engagement bump can slide through a second length of the groove in the proximal direction upon a third movement of the gripper in the proximal direction.
The system can further include a track through which the gripper can move. The track can have a parallel segment positioned parallel to the channel and an extending segment positioned distal the parallel segment and extending away from the channel in at least a lateral direction.
The gripper can extend the pull wire proximally from the proximal end of the hypotube upon a movement of the gripper in the proximal direction, and the pull wire can remain stationary in relation to the hypotube upon a movement of the gripper in the distal direction. The gripper can also be movable in a lateral direction, and a movement of the gripper in the proximal direction can result in a first lateral movement approaching the pull wire, and a movement of the gripper in the distal direction can result in a second lateral movement retreating from the pull wire. The system can further include a spring applying a spring force to the gripper in the distal direction.
The groove can further include a distal end engaging the proximal end of the hypotube and preventing proximal movement of the hypotube in relation to the groove. The groove can be sized to inhibit a lateral movement of the engagement bump.
The system can further include a first and second gripper, each movable in the distal direction and the proximal direction, each engaging the engagement bump upon movement in the proximal direction and disengaging the engagement bump upon movement in the distal direction. The first and second gripper can be joined for simultaneous movement in the proximal direction and the distal direction.
An example device for retracting a pull wire from a hypotube can include a receptacle having a channel and a distal surface and a retractor coupled to the receptacle having an engagement surface. The channel of the receptacle can slidably receive a pull wire, and the distal surface of the receptacle can engage a proximal end of a hypotube. The retractor can be movable in a proximal direction and a distal direction parallel to the channel, and the engagement surface can be positioned approximate the channel to engage an extending portion of the pull wire. A proximal movement of the retractor can extract the pull wire from the proximal end of the hypotube, thereby extending the pull wire into the channel. A subsequent distal movement of the retractor can disengage the extending portion of the pull wire such that pull wire remains stationary in relation to the hypotube.
The device can further include a track having a parallel segment positioned parallel to the channel. The retractor can be coupled to the track such that the parallel segment inhibits lateral movement of the retractor. The track can further comprise an extending segment positioned distal the parallel segment that extends away from the channel, and the retractor can be movable in at least a lateral direction when moved along the extending segment of the track.
The device can further include a spring applying spring force to the retractor in the distal direction.
The device can further include a first retractor movable within a first track and second retractor movable within a second track. The first and second tracks can be shaped as mirror images of each other about an axis defined by the length of the channel, and the first and second retractors can be coupled for simultaneous movement.
An example method of manipulating an implant delivery system can include the steps of providing an implantation device having a pull wire and a hypotube, positioning an engagement bump on the pull wire near a proximal end of the pull wire, providing a retracting device having a channel and a gripper, positioning the pull wire within the channel, engaging a proximal end of the hypotube with a distal surface of the retracting device, moving the gripper to engage the engagement bump, pulling the gripper and the engaged engagement bump proximally through the channel thereby retracting the pull wire proximally from the proximal end of the hypotube, moving the gripper distally to disengage the engagement bump, and maintaining a stationary position of the pull wire in relation to the channel in response to the moving of the gripper distally.
The method can further include the steps of providing a parallel track segment positioned parallel to the channel, coupling the gripper to the parallel track segment, moving the gripper through the parallel track segment parallel to the channel, and inhibiting lateral movement of the gripper by the coupling of the parallel track segment. The retracting device can have two grippers: the aforementioned gripper and second gripper, and the method can further include the steps of positioning the grippers on opposite sides of the channel and coupling the grippers to each other for simultaneous movement.
The above and further aspects of this invention are further discussed with reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles of the invention. The figures depict one or more implementations of the inventive devices, by way of example only, not by way of limitation.
An implant delivery system can include a pull wire extending from a catheter or hypotube having an engagement bump or extending portion at the proximal end of the pull wire. The pull wire can be positioned within a groove or channel of a retracting device and can be controllably slid through the groove while the hypotube is prevented from moving through the groove.
The retracting device can include tracks positioned on opposite sides of the groove that together make a Y-shape, and grippers or retractors can be guided by the tracks along the pull wire groove. In their initial position, the grippers can be positioned on the wide, distal end of the Y-track. The grippers can be translated proximally through the Y-track, moving closer to the pull wire until the grippers contact the engagement bump, but not the pull wire. The grippers can be further translated proximally through a parallel portion of the Y-track, pulling the engagement bump (and therefore the pull wire) proximally in the process.
The retracting device can include springs attached to the grippers that can provide a spring force pushing the grippers distally, and the grippers can be joined together for simultaneous translation by a slider. When the slider is released, the grippers can move distally to their initial position on the wide, distal end of the track. Movement of the grippers distally can disengage the engagement bump without disturbing the pull wire. Even in a scenario wherein the grippers are prematurely released, the grippers can move distally without causing distal translation of the pull wire.
An example system 100 for deploying an implant is illustrated in
The descriptions contained herein are examples of embodiments of the invention and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the invention. As described herein, the invention contemplates many variations and modifications of the implantation deployment system, including alternative structures for the engagement bump such as a ball or hook or other shape providing similar functionality, alternative means for guiding the grippers in relation to the channel, alternative means for receiving and preventing proximal movement of the hypotube, alternative means of allowing the engagement bump to pass proximally through the gripper space when placing in the groove, etc. These modifications would be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention relates and are intended to be within the scope of the claims which follow.
Claims
1. A device for retracting a pull wire from a hypotube, the device comprising:
- a receptacle aligned on a central axis, comprising a distal surface configured to engage a proximal end of the hypotube, and configured to slidably receive the pull wire;
- a track comprising a parallel segment positioned parallel to the central axis; and
- a retractor coupled to the track and movable through the track in a proximal direction and a distal direction parallel to the central axis, the retractor comprising an engagement surface positioned to engage an extending portion of the pull wire upon a proximal movement of the retractor thereby extracting the pull wire from the proximal end of the hypotube and extending the pull wire into the receptable, the engagement surface being positioned such that a subsequent distal movement of the retractor causes the retractor to disengage from the extending portion of the pull wire so that the pull wire remains stationary in relation to the hypotube.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the parallel segment inhibits lateral movement of the retractor.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle further comprises a channel defining the central axis and configured to slidably receive the pull wire.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the channel is configured to contact the extending portion of the pull wire upon lateral movement of the extending portion to thereby inhibit lateral movement of the pull wire within the channel.
5. The device of claim 3, wherein a distal end of the channel corresponds to the distal surface of the receptacle.
6. The device of claim 1,
- wherein the track further comprises an extending segment positioned distal the parallel segment and extending away from the central axis, and
- wherein the retractor is movable in at least a lateral direction within the extending segment of the track.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the retractor is movable in a lateral direction within an extending portion of the track that is separate from the parallel portion, movement of the retractor through the extending portion in the proximal direction causes the retractor to approach the central axis, and movement of the retractor through the extending portion in the distal direction causes the retractor to retreat from the central axis.
8. The device of claim 1,
- wherein said retractor is a first retractor in a pair of retractors, the pair of retractors comprising the first retractor and a second retractor, the first and second retractors being coupled for simultaneous movement, and
- wherein said track is a first track in a pair of tracks, the pair of tracks comprising the first track and a second track, the second retractor being movable within the second track.
9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a spring applying spring force to the retractor in the distal direction.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the retractor is positioned such that upon the proximal movement of the retractor, the engagement surface is the sole portion of the retractor engaging the pull wire and the extending portion is the sole portion of the pull wire engaged by the engagement surface.
11. A method of manipulating a pull wire comprising the steps of:
- positioning a proximal portion of the pull wire and an engagement bump into a receptacle of a retracting device, the engagement bump extending radially from a circumference of the pull wire;
- engaging a proximal end of a hypotube in which a distal portion of the pull wire extends to a distal surface of the receptacle;
- moving a retractor in a proximal direction through a parallel segment of a track that is parallel to the pull wire, thereby engaging an engagement surface of the retractor to the engagement bump of the pull wire and further extending the pull wire into the receptacle; and
- subsequently moving the retractor in a distal direction through the parallel segment, thereby disengaging the pull wire so that the pull wire remains stationary in relation to the receptacle.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:
- inhibiting lateral movement of the retractor by the parallel segment of the track.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
- sliding the proximal portion of the pull wire within a channel of the retracting device.
14. The method claim 13, further comprising:
- inhibiting lateral movement of the proximal portion of the pull wire via contact of the engagement bump to the channel.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
- engaging a distal end of the channel to the proximal end of the hypotube.
16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
- moving the retractor through an extending segment of the track positioned distal to the parallel segment and extending away from the pull wire so that the retractor moves at least a lateral direction within the extending segment of the track.
17. The method of claim 11,
- wherein said retractor is a first retractor in a pair of retractors, the pair of retractors comprising the first retractor and a second retractor, and
- wherein moving the retractor in the proximal direction through the parallel segment of the track further comprises simultaneously moving the first and second retractors in the proximal direction.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein subsequently moving the retractor in the distal direction through the parallel segment further comprises allowing the retractor to be moved in the distal direction by a spring force.
19. The method of claim 11, further comprises:
- engaging the engagement surface to the pull wire and further extending the pull wire into the receptacle such that the engagement surface is the sole portion of the retractor engaging the pull wire and the engagement bump is the sole portion of the pull wire engaged by the engagement surface.
20. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
- maintaining a space between the retractor and the circumference of the pull wire while moving the retractor through a full range of motion within the track.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 12, 2020
Publication Date: Mar 25, 2021
Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc. (Raynham, MA)
Inventors: Daniel SOLAUN (Raynham, MA), David BLUMENSTYK (Raynham, MA)
Application Number: 17/068,399