Method and apparatus for delivering an implant without bias to a left atrial appendage

Abstract

A system and method for delivering an implant includes an implant, an actuation shaft, and a concentrically attachable disconnect mount. A distal guide tube is sometimes also provided. A proximal guide tube is also sometimes provided. The implantable device has a proximal, a distal end, and a plurality of supports. The implantable device is moveable between a collapsed and an expanded configuration. The distal guide tube, when provided, is at the distal end of the supports and extends toward the proximal end of the implantable device. The actuation shaft extends through the proximal end of the implantable device and is removeably engageable with the distal guide tube, or the distal end of the device when the distal guide tube is not provided. The disconnect mount is releasably engageable with the proximal end of the implantable device. The disconnect mount is concentrically attachable to the proximal end of the implantable device as well. The implantable device is self-expandable, and is collapsed by engaging the actuation shaft with the distal guide tube while applying a relatively proximal force to the proximal end of the implant with the disconnect mount.

1 . An implant delivery system, comprising: 
 an implantable device comprising a plurality of supports extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the supports being moveable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;    a proximal guide tube at the proximal end of the supports extending toward the distal end; and    a distal guide tube at the distal end of the supports extending toward the proximal end;    wherein the proximal and distal guide tubes are telescoping and become further engaged as the supports move from the collapsed to the expanded configuration.    
     
     
         2 . The implant delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuation shaft extendable through the proximal guide tube and into engagement with the distal guide tube.  
     
     
         3 . The implant delivery system of  claim 2 , wherein the actuation shaft comprises a flexible segment configured to flex upon proximal retraction of the actuation shaft from the proximal and distal guide tubes.  
     
     
         4 . The implant delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising a catheter, the catheter comprising a disconnect mount configured to concentrically engage the proximal end of the implantable device.  
     
     
         5 . The implant delivery system of  claim 4 , wherein activation of the disconnect mount causes the catheter to disengage the implantable device without substantially affecting the implantable device position.  
     
     
         6 . The implant delivery system of  claim 4 , wherein the disconnect mount comprises flexible fingers extending distally with respect to the catheter.  
     
     
         7 . The implantable delivery system of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible fingers are biased to flex outward.  
     
     
         8 . An implant delivery system, comprising: 
 an implantable device having a proximal end and a distal end and a plurality of supports extending therebetween, the implantable device being moveable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;    a distal guide tube at the distal end of the supports extending toward the proximal end;    an actuation shaft extendable through the proximal end of the implantable device and removeably engageable with the distal guide tube; and    a disconnect mount releasably engageable with the proximal end of the implantable device, the disconnect mount being concentrically attachable to the proximal end;    wherein the implantable device is self-expandable and is collapsed by engaging the actuation shaft with the distal guide tube while applying a relatively proximal force to the proximal end of the implantable device with the disconnect mount.    
     
     
         9 . The implant delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the disconnect mount is hollow and the actuation shaft is positioned within the disconnect mount.  
     
     
         10 . The implant delivery system of  claim 9 , wherein the disconnect mount comprises moveable distal fingers that are releasably engageable with the proximal end of the implantable device.  
     
     
         11 . The implant delivery system of  claim 10 , further comprising a locking tube, wherein the locking tube extends over the actuation shaft within the disconnect mount and is positioned distal to the distal fingers when the disconnect mount is engaged with the implantable device, and is positioned proximal to the distal fingers when the disconnect mount is released from the implantable device.  
     
     
         12 . The implant delivery system of  claim 10 , further comprising a locking tube, wherein the locking tube extends over the actuation shaft and over the disconnect mount, wherein the locking tube is positioned to cover at least a portion of the distal fingers when the disconnect mount is engaged with the implantable device, and wherein the locking tube is positioned proximal to the distal fingers when the disconnect mount is released from the implantable device.  
     
     
         13 . The implant delivery system of  claim 8 , further comprising a metallic mesh sock attached to the disconnect mount.  
     
     
         14 . The implant delivery system of  claim 8 , further comprising a proximal guide tube at the proximal end of the supports extending towards the distal end and configured to telescopically engage the distal guide tube when the implant is expanded.  
     
     
         15 . A method of actuating an implantable device with a concentric force, the method comprising: 
 providing an implantable device having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of supports extending therebetween, the implantable device configured to expand from a reduced-diameter configuration to an expanded-diameter configuration;    applying a concentric force to the proximal end; and    applying a distal force to the distal end.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising expanding the implantable device by reducing the distal force while maintaining the concentric force.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said reducing the distal force comprises moving an actuation core in contact with the distal end in a proximal direction with respect to the implantable device.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising releasing the implantable device from a catheter by reducing the concentric force.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said releasing does not cause the implantable device to substantially change its position with respect to the catheter.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising collapsing the implantable device by applying a pulling force on the proximal end with a disconnect mount, wherein the disconnect mount is configured to provide the concentric force.