US5578074A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implant delivery method and assembly
Assignee: Target Therapeutics Inc
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Filing: 1994-12-22
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Granted: 1996-11-26
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Expires: 2014-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A thermally activated occlusive implant delivery assembly is provided. The assembly includes an occlusive implant device and a pusher. The pusher has a distal section and a proximal section. The distal section includes a coupling portion which is shape memory material and exhibits different configurations depending on the coupling portion's temperature. The coupling portion interlockingly engages the implant when it is in one of the configurations and releases the implant from interlocking engagement therewith when in another one of the configurations. In operation, the assembly is introduced into the body of a mammal via a guide catheter suited for the particular lumen being navigated. When the implant is positioned at the desired site, the coupling portion of the pusher is thermally activated to effect the return of its original, pre-set configuration, which is originally formed to release the implant from interlocking engagement therewith. The pusher can then be readily removed from the mammal without imparting any significant force on the implant during retraction.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory E. Mirigian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/12022; A61B17/12131; A61B17/1214; A61B2017/1205; A61B2017/12054; A61B2017/12063; A61B2017/12068; A61B2017/12077; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30092; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An occlusive implant delivery assembly for occluding a site in a mammal, said assembly comprising an implant and a pusher, said pusher having a distal section and a proximal section, said distal section having a coupling portion comprising thermal memory material and exhibiting different configurations depending on the temperature of said portion, said coupling portion interlockingly engaging said implant when said coupling portion is in a first one of said configurations and disengaging from said implant when in second one of said configurations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
An occlusive implant delivery assembly for occluding a site in a mammal, said assembly comprising an implant and a pusher, said pusher having a distal section and a proximal section, said distal section having a coupling portion comprising thermal memory material and exhibiting different configurations depending on the temperature of said portion, said coupling portion interlockingly engaging said implant when said coupling portion is in a first one of said configurations and disengaging from said implant when in second one of said configurations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said implant comprises a coil having multiple turns and said distal section has a curved portion that extends between a number of said turns when said coupling portion is in said first configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said implant comprises a coil having an inner surface, said coupling portion having multiple curves, each placing a pressure on a different portion of said inner surface when said coupling portion is said first configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 3 wherein said portions of said inner surface are generally equidistantly spaced in the circumferential direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly of claim 3 wherein said coupling portion has a sinusoidal shape when in said first configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said implant comprises a coil and when said coupling portion is in said first configuration it has a helical shape with a pitch that generally corresponds to that of said coil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 1 further including an insulation sleeve, said insulation sleeve encasing said pusher.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 1 further including leads having first portions coupled to said pusher and second portions adapted for coupling to a power source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
An occlusive implant delivery assembly for occluding a site in a mammal, said assembly comprising an implant and a pusher, said pusher having a distal section and a proximal section, said distal section having a coupling portion comprising thermal memory material having a transition temperature and exhibiting multiple configurations depending on the temperature of said portion, said coupling portion interlockingly engaging said implant when said coupling portion is in one of said configurations and being disengaged from interlocking engagement with said implant when in a second one of said configurations such that said distal section can be readily removed from said implant, whereby when the temperature of the coupling portion is brought above its transition temperature, the coupling portion reconfigures to said second configuration and releases said implant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
An occlusive implant delivery assembly for occluding a site in a mammal, said assembly comprising an implant and a pusher, said pusher having a distal section and a proximal section, said distal section having a coupling portion comprising thermal memory material having a transition temperature and exhibiting multiple configurations depending on the temperature of said portion, said coupling portion interlockingly engaging said implant when said coupling portion is in one of said configurations and being disengaged from interlocking engagement with said implant when in a second one of said configurations such that said distal section can be readily removed from said implant, whereby when the temperature of the coupling portion is brought above its transition temperature, the coupling portion reconfigures to said second configuration and releases said implant.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of placing an implant in a mammal comprising the steps of: (a) introducing in a mammal, a pusher having a heat activated decoupling mechanism; an occlusive implant detachably coupled to the decoupling mechanism; and (b) applying energy to the decoupling mechanism to effect decoupling the pusher from the implant.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of placing an implant in a mammal comprising the steps of: (a) introducing in a mammal, a pusher having a heat activated decoupling mechanism; an occlusive implant detachably coupled to the decoupling mechanism; and (b) applying energy to the decoupling mechanism to effect decoupling the pusher from the implant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 10 further including the step of positioning a catheter in the mammal and introducing the pusher in the mammal via the catheter to deliver the implant to the desired location.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said implant comprises a coil.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said implant is introduced into the vasculature of the mammal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said thermal memory material has a transition temperature in the range of about 34° to 37° C.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said thermal memory material has a transition temperature in the range of about 37° to 43° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said thermal memory material has a transition temperature in the range of about 40° to 43° C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said thermal memory material has a transition temperature in the range of about 34° to 37° C.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said thermal memory material has a transition temperature in the range of about 37° to 43° C.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said thermal memory material has a transition temperature in the range of about 40° to 43° C.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein said thermal memory material has a transition temperature in the range of about 34° to 37° C.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein said thermal memory material has a transition temperature in the range of about 37° to 43° C.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein said thermal memory material has a transition temperature in the range of about 40° to 43° C.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
11 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein said implant comprises a coil.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-26 | 2000-05-27 | 2000-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-26 | 2004-05-27 | 2004-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-26 | 2008-05-27 | 2008-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |