Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A delivery system for use with a tubular endoluminal prosthesis, the delivery system comprising; a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen capable of receiving the prosthesis near the distal end; a member disposed in the lumen of the sheath; an actuation mechanism engaging the member and coupling a handle to the sheath; and a unidirectional mechanism operatively associated with the actuation mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A delivery system for use with a tubular endoluminal prosthesis, the delivery system comprising; a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen capable of receiving the prosthesis near the distal end; a member disposed in the lumen of the sheath; an actuation mechanism engaging the member and coupling a handle to the sheath; and a unidirectional mechanism operatively associated with the actuation mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A delivery system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the uni-directional mechanism allows rotation of the handle in a first direction while restraining a second direction of handle rotation opposite to the first direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A delivery system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the unidirectional mechanism drivingly engages the sheath when turning the handle in a first direction, the uni-directional mechanism releasably preventing a second direction of handle rotation opposite to the first direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A delivery system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said unidirectional mechanism comprises: a resilient member having at least one pawl; and a serration ring, the serration ring engaging the at least one pawl in a ratcheting relationship; wherein the resilient member is operative on the at least one pawl for urging the at least one pawl in to the engagement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A delivery system as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the at least one pawl drivingly engages the serrations in a first direction of handle rotation, the pawl being in the ratcheting relationship with the serrations in a second direction of handle rotation opposite to the first direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A delivery system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the unidirectional mechanism is biased to an engaged position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A delivery system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the unidirectional mechanism is biased to a disengaged position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A delivery system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the unidirectional mechanism produces an audible sound.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A delivery system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuation mechanism has a mechanical advantage which varies as the sheath moves between the first position and the second position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A delivery system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the mechanical advantage when the sheath is adjacent the first position is adapted to overcome static frictional forces between the prosthesis and the sheath, and wherein the mechanical advantage when the sheath is adjacent the second position overcomes dynamic frictional forces which are smaller than the static frictional forces, and enhances the speed of expelling the prosthesis from the sheath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A delivery system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuation mechanism comprises threads defining an axis, and wherein a pitch of the threads varies along said axis of the threads to provide a mechanical advantage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
162 words
A prosthetic delivery system for use with a radially expandable tubular endoluminal prosthesis, the delivery system comprising: a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, an axis therebetween, and a lumen capable of receiving the prosthesis near the distal end; a member disposed in the lumen; an actuation mechanism engaging the member comprising threads, wherein a pitch of the threads varies along an axis of the threads, the actuation mechanism coupling the sheath to a handle, the handle rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the sheath to effect movement of the sheath from a first position to a second position; and a unidirectional mechanism associated with the actuation mechanism comprising: a resilient member having at least one pawl; and a serration ring, the serration ring engaging the at least one pawl in a ratcheting relationship wherein the resilient member is operative on the at least one pawl for urging the at least one pawl into the engagement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
162 words
A prosthetic delivery system for use with a radially expandable tubular endoluminal prosthesis, the delivery system comprising: a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, an axis therebetween, and a lumen capable of receiving the prosthesis near the distal end; a member disposed in the lumen; an actuation mechanism engaging the member comprising threads, wherein a pitch of the threads varies along an axis of the threads, the actuation mechanism coupling the sheath to a handle, the handle rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the sheath to effect movement of the sheath from a first position to a second position; and a unidirectional mechanism associated with the actuation mechanism comprising: a resilient member having at least one pawl; and a serration ring, the serration ring engaging the at least one pawl in a ratcheting relationship wherein the resilient member is operative on the at least one pawl for urging the at least one pawl into the engagement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A delivery system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein a pitch of the threads varies along an axial length of the rotatable handle portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
120 words
A delivery system for inserting a tubular endoluminal prosthesis into a patient body, the delivery system comprising: a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen capable of receiving the prosthesis near the distal end; a member disposed in the lumen; an outer tube disposed over the sheath so that the outer tube remains substantially axially aligned with the member when the sheath moves from a first position to a second position; a serration ring disposed on a portion of the outer tube; and a resilient member having at least one pawl, the resilient member operative on the at least one pawl for urging the at least one pawl into a ratcheting relationship with the serration ring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
120 words
A delivery system for inserting a tubular endoluminal prosthesis into a patient body, the delivery system comprising: a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen capable of receiving the prosthesis near the distal end; a member disposed in the lumen; an outer tube disposed over the sheath so that the outer tube remains substantially axially aligned with the member when the sheath moves from a first position to a second position; a serration ring disposed on a portion of the outer tube; and a resilient member having at least one pawl, the resilient member operative on the at least one pawl for urging the at least one pawl into a ratcheting relationship with the serration ring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
An improved delivery system for inserting a tubular endoluminal prosthesis into a patient body of the type comprising, a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen capable of receiving the prosthesis near the distal end; a member disposed in the lumen; and an actuation mechanism engaging the member and coupling a handle to the sheath, the improvement comprising a uni-directional mechanism operatively associated with the actuation mechanism to provide incremental unidirectional movement of the sheath, wherein the uni-directional mechanism allows rotation of the handle in a first direction while restraining a second direction of handle rotation opposite to the first direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
105 words
An improved delivery system for inserting a tubular endoluminal prosthesis into a patient body of the type comprising, a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen capable of receiving the prosthesis near the distal end; a member disposed in the lumen; and an actuation mechanism engaging the member and coupling a handle to the sheath, the improvement comprising a uni-directional mechanism operatively associated with the actuation mechanism to provide incremental unidirectional movement of the sheath, wherein the uni-directional mechanism allows rotation of the handle in a first direction while restraining a second direction of handle rotation opposite to the first direction.