METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DELIVERING AN IMPLANT
A system for delivering an implant including a handle, a trigger, and an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly can be configured to displace the outer tubular member in the proximal direction a distance (d) relative to the handle and to separately move the inner shaft member distally a distance (x) relative to the handle upon deployment of the trigger from a first position to a second position, and move the inner shaft member proximally a distance (y) relative to the handle with no displacement of the outer tubular member upon return of the trigger from the second position to the first position.
1 . A system for delivering an implant, the implant to be disposed within a distal end portion of an outer tubular member and positioned to be engaged by a distal end portion of an inner shaft member when the inner shaft member is moved distally relative to the outer tubular member, the inner shaft member being disposed within the outer tubular member and movable distally and proximally relative to the outer tubular member, comprising:
a handle;
a trigger operatively coupled to the handle; and
an actuation assembly operatively coupled to the trigger, the inner shaft member, and the outer tubular member;
wherein the actuation assembly is configured to displace the outer tubular member in the proximal direction a distance (d) relative to the handle and to separately move the inner shaft member distally a distance (x) relative to the handle upon deployment of the trigger from a first position to a second position, and further wherein the actuation assembly is configured to move the inner shaft member proximally a distance (y) relative to the handle with no displacement of the outer tubular member relative to the handle upon return of the trigger from the second position to the first position.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuation assembly is functionally coupled to the trigger by a driving rack.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the trigger comprises a slide having an engagement surface to be engaged by a user.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the slide is fixedly coupled to the driving rack.
5 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the trigger is functionally connected to the driving rack by a gear train.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the gear train comprises a trigger gear sector, a trigger pinion operatively meshed with the trigger gear sector, a slide pinion operatively coupled to the trigger pinion, and a slid rack disposed on a slide coupled to the driving rack and operatively meshed with the trigger pinion.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the driving rack is fixedly coupled to the slide.
8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the driving rack is detachably coupled to the slide.
9 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the trigger is functionally connected to the driving rack by a plurality of link elements.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of link elements comprises a first linear link coupled to the trigger at a first joint, a second linear link coupled to the slide at a second joint, and a triangle link coupled to the first linear link at a third joint and the second linear link at a fourth joint; wherein
the triangle link is coupled to the handle at a fifth joint, and the trigger is coupled to the handle at a sixth joint.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth joints are pivot joints.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the third joint, fourth joint, and fifth joint define a triangle.
13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein upon deployment of the trigger from the first position to the second position and return of the trigger from the second position to the first position, the third joint traces a non-linear path.
14 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the trigger is functionally connected to the driving rack by a trigger pulley system.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the trigger is coupled to a spring such that energy is stored in the spring upon deployment of the trigger from the first position to the second position, and the energy stored in the spring causes the trigger to return from the second position to the first position.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the system further comprises a spring support coupled to the trigger and a base and configured to engage the spring such that energy is stored in the spring when the trigger is in the first position.
17 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an implant disposed within the distal end portion of an outer tubular member.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the implant is a braided stent.