Systems, devices, and methods for the accurate deployment and imaging of an implant in the prostatic urethra
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for the delivery of an implant into the prostatic urethra. Embodiments of delivery systems can include a delivery device for insertion into the patient and a proximal control device for use in controlling release of the implant from the delivery device.
1 . A method of imaging delivery of an implant, the method comprising:
advancing a delivery device within a urethra of a patient, wherein the delivery device comprises an outer tubular member comprising first and second lumens and a distal end, an imaging module mounted to at least one elongate member extending through the second lumen, an inner tubular member extending through the first lumen and housing at least a portion of the implant, and one or more structures slidably advanceable within the inner tubular member to cause deployment of the implant from within the inner tubular member, wherein the outer tubular member, inner tubular member, and one or more structures are each coupled with a proximal control device outside of the patient;
longitudinally retracting the inner tubular member with respect to the proximal control device and the one or more structures to at least partially deploy the implant from the inner tubular member;
extending the imaging module distally beyond the distal end of the outer tubular member; and
imaging the at least partially deployed implant.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the urethra is a prostatic urethra.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising releasing the implant from the delivery device.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the outer tubular member is longitudinally retracted at the same rate as the inner tubular member.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
rotating the inner tubular member with respect to the proximal control device to at least partially deploy the implant from the inner tubular member; and
while the inner tubular member is being rotated, concurrently (a) maintaining the outer tubular member in a rotationally fixed position with respect to the proximal control device and (b) imaging the at least partially deployed implant with the imaging device.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant has a body comprising first and second ring-shaped structures and an interconnect that extends between the first and second ring-shaped structures, wherein the second ring-shaped structure is proximal the first ring-shaped structure.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the imaging module can visualize placement of the second ring-shaped structure after being extended distal of the distal end of the outer tubular member.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of releasing the implant from the delivery device after imaging.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the extending the imaging module includes extending the imaging module to or beyond a distal end of the at least partially deployed implant.