Capture tube mechanism for delivering and releasing a stent
View Patent ↗A capture tube mechanism for delivering and releasing a self-expanding stent includes a core wire on which a proximal portion of the stent is removably retained by a distal portion of a tubular capture sleeve. In one embodiment, one or more elongated members extending through corresponding apertures through the capture sleeve and out the distal end of the capture sleeve can be pulled to split the tubular capture sleeve to release the stent. In another embodiment, the capture sleeve can be pulled proximally over one or more stop members provided on the core wire to release the stent.
1. Apparatus for delivering and releasing a self-expanding stent through a catheter to a treatment site in a patient's vasculature, comprising:
a core wire having a proximal portion, a distal portion, an intermediate portion located between said proximal and distal portions of said core wire, and a first stop member positioned between said proximal portion and said intermediate portion;
a self-expanding stent having a proximal end, a proximal portion and an inner lumen, said distal portion of said core wire extending through at least a portion of said inner lumen of said self-expanding stent, with said proximal portion of said self-expanding stent disposed over said intermediate portion of said core wire distally of said first stop member of said core wire; and
a tubular capture sleeve having a lumen, a proximal portion, a distal portion and a distal end, said distal portion of said tubular capture sleeve disposed over said first stop member of said core wire and said proximal portion of said self-expanding stent, and said distal portion of said tubular capture sleeve being configured to removably retain said proximal portion of said self-expanding stent within said lumen of said tubular capture sleeve and on said intermediate portion of said core wire, said tubular capture sleeve being configured to release said proximal end of said self-expanding stent from said tubular capture sleeve and said intermediate portion of said core wire when said distal portion of said tubular capture sleeve is pulled proximally of said first stop member of said core wire, said tubular capture sleeve being in direct contact with said core wire only at said proximal portion of said tubular capture sleeve, said tubular capture sleeve distal portion and distal end being a free end.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first stop member comprises a bump on said core wire.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said tubular capture sleeve comprises a shrinkable sleeve.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said tubular capture sleeve comprises an elastic sleeve.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said distal portion of said tubular capture sleeve is configured to clamp said proximal portion of said self-expanding stent within said lumen of said tubular capture sleeve and on said intermediate portion of said core wire.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said distal portion of said tubular capture sleeve is configured to be compressed over said proximal portion of said self-expanding stent within said lumen of said tubular capture sleeve and on said intermediate portion of said core wire.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said distal portion of said tubular capture sleeve is configured to capture said proximal portion of said self-expanding stent within said lumen of said tubular capture sleeve and on said intermediate portion of said core wire.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said proximal portion of said tubular capture sleeve is mechanically linked to the proximal portion of the core wire, and wherein said tubular capture sleeve is configured to be pulled proximally while said core wire is pushed distally.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said proximal portion of said tubular capture sleeve is mechanically linked to the proximal portion of the core wire by an elongated connector member.