Minimally-invasive delivery systems

Abstract

A tool is configured for transluminal delivery of an implant. The tool has a proximal part and a distal part, and comprises a shaft that extends longitudinally from the proximal part of the tool to an open distal end. The tool further comprises a control element disposed within the shaft, and a sheath that houses the implant, dimensioned for transluminal delivery. The implant is reversibly coupled to the tool and disposed around the distal portion of the shaft, movement of the control element within the shaft being controllable by the proximal part of the tool. The control element is coupled to the sheath such that movement of the control element proximally within the shaft draws the sheath (i) distally off of the implant, and (ii) into the open distal end of the shaft.

1 . Apparatus, comprising:
 an implant; and   a tool, configured for transluminal delivery of the implant, the tool comprising:
 a shaft that extends longitudinally from a proximal part of the tool, and has an open distal end, the implant being reversibly coupled to the tool and disposed around a distal portion of the shaft; 
 a sheath that houses the implant, and has a diameter that is dimensioned for transluminal delivery; and 
 a control element, disposed within the shaft, movement of the control element within the shaft being controllable by the proximal part of the tool, and the control element being coupled to the sheath such that movement of the control element proximally within the shaft draws the sheath (i) distally off of the implant, and (ii) into the open distal end of the shaft. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sheath comprises a flexible sheet. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the sheet comprises a fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the sheet comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the sheet comprises nylon. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the sheet comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the sheet comprises polyester. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the sheet comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the sheet is doubled-over itself to define an inner wall of the sheath, and an outer wall of the sheath. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the implant is a self-expanding implant that has a compressed diameter and an expanded diameter, and wherein the inner wall of the sheath is in contact with the implant, and constrains the implant to the compressed diameter. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the sheet defines a proximal opening of the sheath at a transition zone between the inner wall and the outer wall, and the movement of the control element proximally within the shaft peels the sheath distally off of the implant by drawing the outer wall progressively into the open distal end of the shaft such that progressively proximal regions of the inner wall transition through the transition zone to become part of the outer wall, and the proximal opening of the sheath moves distally along the implant. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the movement of the control element proximally within the shaft peels the sheath distally off of the implant without sliding the inner wall directly over the implant while the inner wall is in contact with the implant. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the control element comprises a shank that extends through the shaft, and a coupling rotatably coupled to a distal end of the shank;   the control element is coupled to the sheath by the coupling being coupled to the sheath; and   the shank defines an outer screw thread;   the shaft defines an inner screw thread that is complementary to the outer screw thread; and   the control element and the shaft are configured such that rotation of the shank with respect to the sheath provides the movement of the control element proximally within the shaft by (i) screwing the shank through the shaft, but (ii) slides the coupling linearly through the shaft.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the shaft defines an inner linear groove that extends longitudinally along the shaft, and the coupling defines a fin that extends outward and into the inner groove, disposition of the fin within the groove inhibiting rotation of the coupling with respect to the shaft but allowing longitudinal sliding of the coupling through the shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the inner screw thread and the inner linear groove are defined by the same longitudinal region of the shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the inner screw thread and the inner linear groove transect each other.