Modular pre-loaded medical implants and delivery systems

Abstract

Modular pre-loaded implant subassemblies that can be packaged separately from a handle, which allows using any one of a plurality of separately packaged modular pre-loaded implants with a common handle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of assembling an implant subassembly and a handle subassembly, the method comprising:
 removing an implant subassembly from a first packaging, the implant subassembly comprising a proximal end and an implant in a collapsed state within a cartridge;   removing a handle subassembly from a second packaging, the handle subassembly including a handle and an elongate handle tubular member in operable communication with a handle actuator, wherein actuation of the handle actuator causes axial movement of the elongate handle tubular member;   advancing the proximal end of the implant subassembly into a distal end of the elongate handle tubular member, through the elongate handle tubular member and into the handle of the handle subassembly; and   locking the proximal end of the implant subassembly in place relative to the handle subassembly.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein advancing the proximal end of the implant subassembly into the handle comprises advancing the proximal end of the implant subassembly until it engages with an implant subassembly stopper in the handle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein locking the proximal end of the implant subassembly relative to the handle subassembly comprises moving a locking element into a locked position relative to the proximal end of the implant subassembly. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein moving a locking element into a locked position relative to proximal end of the implant subassembly comprises moving the locking element into engagement with a detachable component of the implant subassembly, the detachable component secured to a first coupling member of the implant subassembly, the first coupling member part of a coupling mechanism that is coupled to the implant in a first state, the first coupling member moveable relative to the implant to release the implant. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein locking the proximal end of the implant subassembly relative to the handle subassembly comprises moving a second locking element into engagement with the proximal end of the implant subassembly. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein moving the second locking element comprises moving the second locking element into engagement with a static component of the implant subassembly, the static component coupled to a second coupling member of the coupling mechanism, the second locking element and the second coupling member not movable axially after being locked in place relative to the handle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein locking the proximal end of the implant subassembly comprises actuating a handle lock actuator. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising delivering the implant to a target location, and releasing the implant, the releasing step comprising actuating a handle actuator to move a detachable component of the proximal end of the implant subassembly, the proximal end of the implant subassembly secured to an implant coupling member. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the advancing step further comprises advancing an elongate implant tubular member through the elongate handle tubular member, the elongate implant tubular member having a distal end that is adjacent an implant proximal end.