Thermal Detachment System For Implantable Devices

Abstract

The present invention provides for implant device delivery apparatuses and related methods of use. The delivery systems of the present invention incorporate a stretch resistant tube that advantageously makes the implant device, such as an embolic coil, stretch resistant while a delivery system is being used to position the implant device at a desired target site.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implant delivery system, comprising:
 a delivery pusher;   a first radiopaque layer disposed along at least a portion of a length of the delivery pusher; and   a second radiopaque layer overlying at least a portion of the first radiopaque layer, wherein the second radiopaque layer includes a first region having a first thickness and a second region having a second thickness, the first thickness being different from the second thickness.   
     
     
         2 . The implant delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the first radiopaque layer has a different radiopaque level than the second radiopaque layer. 
     
     
         3 . The implant delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein a first radiopaque value of the first radiopaque layer is greater than a second radiopaque value of the second radiopaque layer. 
     
     
         4 . The implant delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the first radiopaque layer is composed of tungsten, tantalum, platinum, or gold. 
     
     
         5 . The implant delivery system of  claim 4 , wherein the second radiopaque layer is composed of a chromium cobalt alloy, a nickel titanium alloy, or stainless steel. 
     
     
         6 . The implant delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the second radiopaque layer is composed of a chromium cobalt alloy, a nickel titanium alloy, or stainless steel. 
     
     
         7 . The implant delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the second radiopaque layer varies in thickness along a length of the delivery pusher. 
     
     
         8 . The implant delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the first region comprises a proximal region and wherein the second region comprises a distal region. 
     
     
         9 . The implant delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein a length of the distal region is approximately 2% of a total length of the delivery pusher. 
     
     
         10 . The implant delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the second region is approximately 3 cm in length. 
     
     
         11 . An implant delivery system, comprising:
 a delivery pusher;   a first radiopaque layer disposed along at least a portion of a length of the delivery pusher; and   a second radiopaque layer overlying at least a portion of the first radiopaque layer, wherein the second radiopaque layer includes a first region having a first thickness, a second region having a second thickness, and a third region having a third thickness;   wherein the first thickness is different from the second thickness, and wherein the third thickness is different from the first thickness and the second thickness.   
     
     
         12 . The implant delivery system of  claim 11 , wherein the first region comprises a proximal region, wherein the third region comprises a distal region, and wherein the second region comprises a medial region between the proximal region and the distal region. 
     
     
         13 . The implant delivery system of  claim 12 , wherein the proximal region has a greater length than the medial region, and wherein the medial region has a greater length than the distal region. 
     
     
         14 . The implant delivery system of  claim 13 , wherein a length of the proximal region is approximately 91% of a total length of the delivery pusher, wherein a length of the medial region is approximately 7% of the total length of the delivery pusher, and wherein a length of the distal region is approximately 2% of the total length of the delivery pusher. 
     
     
         15 . The implant delivery system of  claim 12 , wherein a diameter of the proximal region is greater than a diameter of the medial region, and wherein a diameter of the medial region is greater than a diameter of the distal region. 
     
     
         16 . The implant delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the first radiopaque layer comprises a core mandrel. 
     
     
         17 . The implant delivery system of  claim 16 , wherein the core mandrel comprises about 10%-80% of a total diameter of the delivery pusher. 
     
     
         18 . The implant delivery system of  claim 16 , wherein the core mandrel extends only partially through a length of the delivery pusher. 
     
     
         19 . An implant delivery system, comprising:
 a pusher means for delivering an implant;   a first radiopaque means disposed along at least a portion of a length of the pusher means; and   a second radiopaque means overlying at least a portion of the first radiopaque means, wherein the second radiopaque means includes a first region having a first thickness and a second region having a second thickness, the first thickness being different from the second thickness.   
     
     
         20 . The implant delivery system of  claim 19 , wherein the second radiopaque means includes a third region having a third thickness, the third thickness being different from the first thickness and the second thickness.