Implant delivery system with marker interlock

Abstract

An implant delivery system is disclosed. The delivery system includes an elongated member having an implant mounting location. A self-expandable implant is mounted at the implant mounting location. The implant is held in a compressed orientation by a retractable sheath. An interlock structure prevents the implant from deploying prematurely as the sheath is retracted. The interlock structure includes radio-opaque markers that identify the position of the implant.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . An implant delivery system comprising 
 a) a distal end and a proximal end    b) an inner member;    c) an outer sheath;    d) an implant mounting location on the inner member;    e) an interlock structure comprising a first interlock geometry suitable for engaging an expandable implant;    f) an expandable implant positioned at d) comprising a second interlock geometry suitable for engaging the first interlock geometry prior to expansion, wherein expansion of the implant causes the first interlock geometry to disengage the second interlock geometry.    
   
   
       20 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the implant is a stent.  
   
   
       21 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the outer sheath is slideable over the inner member.  
   
   
       22 . The implant delivery system of  claim 21 , wherein the outer sheath covers the implant when the implant is in an unexpanded configuration.  
   
   
       23 . The implant delivery system of  claim 22 , wherein the retraction of the sheath permits the implant to expand.  
   
   
       24 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the implant second geometry comprises at least one enlargement which engages the interlock structure's first geometry.  
   
   
       25 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the distal end is positioned at a deployment site in a patient's body lumen and the proximal end is positioned external to the patient's body.  
   
   
       26 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the inner member is comprised of nylon.  
   
   
       27 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the distal end is tapered.  
   
   
       28 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the distal end comprises a flexible distal tip.  
   
   
       29 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the implant is self expanding.  
   
   
       30 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the interlock structure engaging the expandable implant prevents axial movement between the implant and the inner member while the interlock structure is engaged with the expandable implant.  
   
   
       31 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the interlock structure is adjacent to the implant mounting location.  
   
   
       32 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the interlock structure is secured to the inner member.  
   
   
       33 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the interlock structure further comprises a plurality of geometries suitable for engaging the expandable implant.  
   
   
       34 . The implant delivery system of  claim 24 , wherein the implant is further comprised of at least one strut having at least one free terminal end.  
   
   
       35 . The implant delivery system of  claim 34 , wherein the enlargement is joined to a strut having one free terminal end.  
   
   
       36 . The implant delivery system of  claim 35 , wherein the enlargement is comprised of a circle.  
   
   
       37 . The implant delivery system of  claim 24 , wherein the interlock structure first geometry is comprised of a circle.  
   
   
       38 . The implant delivery system of  claim 33 , wherein the interlock structure first geometry is sized to engage a plurality of enlargements.  
   
   
       39 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the interlock structure first geometry is sized to engage a single enlargement.  
   
   
       40 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the interlock structure engaging the expandable implant does not restrict radial motion of the implant.  
   
   
       41 . The implant delivery system of  claim 33 , wherein at least one of the plurality of geometries is sized to receive a single enlargement and the remaining plurality of geometries are sized to receive two enlargements.  
   
   
       42 . The implant delivery system of  claim 34 , wherein the interlock structure is comprised of a plurality of geometries and the implant is comprised of a plurality of enlargements, wherein each of the plurality of geometries engages a single enlargement.  
   
   
       43 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the implant second geometry is comprised of a plurality of oblong enlargements.  
   
   
       44 . The implant delivery system of  claim 43 , wherein interlock structure is comprised of a plurality of first geometries fitted to receive the plurality of oblong enlargements.  
   
   
       45 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the implant second geometry is comprised of a plurality of circles.  
   
   
       46 . The implant delivery system of  claim 45 , wherein interlock structure is comprised of a plurality of first geometries fitted to receive the plurality of circles.