Methods of using implantable medical device detachment system

Abstract

Implantable medical device detachment methods are provided using a carrier member having a compressible portion at a distal end thereof. The compressible portion is moved to a compressed condition to allow an engagement member of the system to releasably engage an implantable device, such as an embolic coil. The carrier member and associated implantable device are fed through a body vessel to a target location, where the device is disengaged from the engagement member. The compressible portion then moves from the compressed condition to an elongated condition to completely separate the implantable device from the engagement member.

1 . A method of connecting an implantable medical device to a detachment system, comprising:
 providing a generally hollow tubular carrier member having (a) a distal end, wherein a compressible portion of said distal end is axially movable from an elongated condition to a compressed condition and (b) an engagement member associated with the distal end of the carrier member;   providing an implantable medical device adapted to be engaged with the engagement member;   moving the compressible portion of the distal end to the compressed condition to expose at least a portion of the engagement member; and   connecting the engagement member and the implantable medical device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said providing a carrier member includes providing an engagement member defining an opening and a locking member received within the carrier member and movable with respect to the engagement member, and wherein said providing an implantable medical device includes providing an aperture at a proximal end portion of the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said connecting the engagement member and the implantable member includes passing at least a portion of the engagement member opening through the aperture of the implantable medical device and passing at least a portion of the locking member through said portion of the engagement member opening. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said providing of the distal end compressible portion includes providing a spiral-cut portion of the carrier member. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said providing of the engagement member includes defining an opening receivable by an aperture of the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising providing a locking member and receiving same within the carrier member and moving same with respect to the engagement member such that at least a portion of the locking member is received by the opening of the engagement member to releasably lock the engagement member and the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the compressible portion of the distal end is in the elongated condition the engagement member is substantially unexposed, and wherein when the compressible portion is in the compressed condition at least a portion of the engagement member is exposed. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a pusher portion of the carrier member that is modified from a right cylindrical shape to accommodate a proximal end portion of the implantable medical device and positioning same adjacent to and distally of the compressible portion. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further including axially adjusting the compressible portion of the carrier member distal end that is a spiral-cut portion of the carrier member itself, said adjusting being between a compressed condition and an elongated condition;
 providing an engagement member associated with the distal end of the carrier member with an up-turned condition at the distal end portion thereof, in which condition the engagement member has an up-turned distal end portion;   receiving an elongated locking member within the carrier member and axially moving same with respect to the engagement member and with respect to the tubular carrier member; and   receiving at least a portion of the elongated locking member within an opening of the up-turned engagement member, thereby defining an engagement space by and partially bounded by the up-turned engagement member distal end portion and the locking member, and engaging by the engagement space the implantable medical device when the compressible portion of the tubular carrier member is in the compressed condition.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further including releasably interlocking the up-turned engagement member and the elongated locking member thereby releasably locking the implantable medical device in the engagement space. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising providing the pusher portion with a plurality of extensions that flank a proximally extending portion of the proximal end portion of the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the providing of the pusher portion includes having one of the flanking extensions shorter than the other flanking extension. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the connecting includes engaging at least one of the flanking extensions with a proximal face of the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the connecting includes engaging at least two of the flanking extensions with a respective proximal face portion of the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         15 . A method of deploying an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel, comprising:
 providing a generally hollow tubular carrier member having (a) a distal end, wherein a compressible portion of said distal end is in a compressed condition, (b) an engagement member associated with the distal end of the carrier member, and (c) an implantable medical device releasably connected to the engagement member;   positioning the implantable medical device generally adjacent to a target location of a body vessel;   disengaging the engagement member from the implantable medical device; and   thereby causing said compressible portion to axially elongate and separate the implantable medical device from the engagement member.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said providing a carrier member includes providing an aperture at a proximal end portion of the implantable medical device, providing an opening of the engagement member received in part by the aperture, and providing a locking member of the carrier member received in part by the opening of the engagement member. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said disengaging the engagement member from the implantable medical device includes moving the locking member proximally with respect to the opening of the engagement member, and thereby releasing the opening from the aperture of the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said providing a carrier member includes providing a compressible portion automatically/resiliently movable from the compressed condition to an elongated condition when the engagement member is disengaged from the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said providing of the compressible portion of the distal end includes providing a spiral-cut portion of the carrier member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further including automatically/resiliently moving the compressible portion of the distal end of the carrier member to the elongated condition when the engagement member is disengaged from the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising positioning a pusher portion of the carrier member adjacent to and distally of the compressible portion, and providing the pusher portion to be generally non-tubular to accommodate a proximal end portion of the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the pusher portion is provided with a first arcuate extension and a second arcuate extension, and bearing at least one of the first and second arcuate extensions against the implantable medical device when the compressible portion of the distal end moves to the elongated condition. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , comprising providing one of the first and second arcuate extensions to be longer than the other. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , comprising providing the first and second arcuate extensions to have substantially the same length. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 15 , further including axially adjusting the compressible portion of the carrier member distal end that is a spiral-cut portion of the carrier member itself, said adjusting being from a compressed condition to an elongated condition;
 providing the engagement member with an up-turned condition at the distal end portion thereof, in which condition the engagement member has an up-turned distal end portion;   positioning a pusher portion of the carrier member adjacent to and distally of the compressible portion and accommodating a proximal end portion of the implantable medical device; and   whereby the engagement member moves to the elongated condition thereby deploying the implantable medical device.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further including receiving an elongated locking member within the carrier member and axially moving same with respect to the engagement member and with respect to the tubular carrier member; and
 receiving the elongated locking member during the up-turned condition of the engagement member opening within an engagement space defined by and partially bounded by the up-turned distal end portion and the locking member, thereby engaging the implantable medical device when the compressible portion of the tubular carrier member is in the compressed condition prior to deploying same.