Containers for Medical Devices

Abstract

A container for a medical device having a housing defining a cavity for receiving the device, a coupling zone external to the cavity, and an exit aperture between the cavity and the coupling zone; and a bearing surface located within the cavity, the bearing surface, exit aperture and coupling zone defining an exit path along which the device can be moved for deployment from the container. The bearing surface is spaced from the exit aperture and arranged, together with the coupling zone, such that the exit path is substantially straight. The cavity is approximately cylindrical, and the bearing surface, the exit aperture, and the coupling zone are aligned such that the exit path extends in a direction that is substantially tangential to the cavity. The housing comprises a two part structure joined together in a plane substantially orthogonal to the exit path. The housing defines a substantially unobstructed cavity for receiving the device. The housing in the coupling zone defines a slot through which the exit path extends, the slot defining a restricted space for deployment of a capture device.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A container for a medical device comprising an elongate body, the container comprising:
 a housing defining a cavity for holding the medical device in a first configuration, a conduit external to the cavity, and an exit aperture between the cavity and the conduit; and   a guide element within the cavity comprising a substantially planar element with a first planar surface and a second opposing planar surface;   wherein the conduit defines a substantially straight pathway configured to allow the medical device to exit the cavity through the exit aperture for deployment from the container.   
     
     
         29 . The container of  claim 28 , wherein when the medical device is in the first configuration, a first portion of the medical device is oriented within the cavity to face the first planar surface of the substantially planar element and a second portion of the medical device is oriented to face the second planar surface. 
     
     
         30 . The container of  claim 29 , wherein the medical device further comprises a rounded transition portion between the first portion of the medical device and the second portion of the medical device. 
     
     
         31 . The container of  claim 28 , further comprising a coupling zone configured to allow for an extraction of the medical device through the conduit, wherein the conduit extends between the cavity and the coupling zone. 
     
     
         32 . The container of  claim 31 , wherein the conduit comprises a substantially straight tube structure, the tube structure defining the exit aperture, a cavity end of the tube structure being located within the cavity, and a coupling end of the tube structure being positioned at the coupling zone. 
     
     
         33 . The container of  claim 32 , wherein the medical device is a lung volume reduction coil (LVRC) having a proximal portion and a distal portion and having a coiled manufactured shape and a substantially straight delivery shape, wherein the housing comprises a housing wall with an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining the cavity such that the cavity is suitable for receiving at least a distal portion of the LVRC in its manufactured shape, the proximal portion of the LVRC extending through the exit aperture and into the coupling zone in use such that a proximal end of the LVRC is disposed in the coupling zone and accessible from outside the housing; and
 wherein the guide element is adapted to guide the LVRC through the exit aperture and the conduit as the LVRC is extracted from the container, the guide element being adapted to force the LVRC into the delivery shape as the proximal end of the LVRC is withdrawn from the housing.   
     
     
         34 . The container of  claim 33 , wherein the housing comprises an outer chamber and an inner chamber, the exit aperture connecting the outer chamber with the inner chamber, the inner chamber comprising the cavity suitable for receiving the distal portion of the LVRC, the outer chamber comprising the coupling zone, the outer chamber having a second aperture suitable for receiving an opened forceps such that the proximal end of the LVRC is accessible with the opened forceps from outside the housing. 
     
     
         35 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the outer chamber comprises a receiving tube for receiving the opened forceps, a distal end of the receiving tube being contiguous with a rim surrounding the exit aperture. 
     
     
         36 . The container of  claim 35 , wherein the receiving tube is configured to constrain the opened forceps so that so that the opened forceps are forced into being centered on and aligned with the proximal end of the LVRC. 
     
     
         37 . The container of  claim 36 , wherein the receiving tube is configured to constrain the opened forceps into only two possible configurations, a first configuration of the opened forceps being a 180-degree rotation of a second configuration. 
     
     
         38 . The container as of  claim 37 , wherein an inner wall of the receiving tube encloses an oblong rectangular or oval lumen for receiving the opened forceps in one of the two possible configurations. 
     
     
         39 . The container as of  claim 37 , wherein a lumen of the receiving tube tapers smoothly from a broad diameter at a proximal end of the receiving tube to a narrower diameter at the distal end of the receiving tube. 
     
     
         40 . The container of  claim 33 , wherein the first configuration of the medical device comprises the distal portion of the LVRC in the manufactured shape. 
     
     
         41 . The container of  claim 40 , wherein the first configuration of the medical device further comprises the proximal portion of the LVRC being held in the delivery shape. 
     
     
         42 . The container of  claim 40 , wherein the manufactured shape comprises a circular or elliptical coil shape. 
     
     
         43 . The container of  claim 40 , wherein the manufactured shape comprises a U-shape. 
     
     
         44 . The container of  claim 43 , wherein the substantially planar element is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the U-shape. 
     
     
         45 . The container of  claim 43 , wherein the substantially planar element is oriented to be substantially parallel to a plane defined by the U-shape. 
     
     
         46 . The container of  claim 33 , further comprising a spool within the housing, wherein the spool provides a bearing surface against and around which the distal portion of the LVRC is configured to pivot as the proximal end of the LVRC is withdrawn from the housing. 
     
     
         47 . The container of  claim 46 , wherein the spool is secured to a corner of the guide element. 
     
     
         48 . The container of  claim 33 , wherein a distal end of the substantially planar element provides a pivot point against and around which the distal portion of the LVRC is configured to pivot as the proximal end of the LVRC is withdrawn from the housing.