Delivery and detachment systems and methods for vascular implants
A system for delivering an implant device to a vascular site in a patient a delivery pusher apparatus, an implant device detachably connected to the delivery pusher apparatus by a tether having a distal end connected to a proximal end of the implant device, wherein the tether is substantially non-tensioned when connecting the implant device to the delivery pusher, and an electrical heating element configured coaxially around at least a portion of the tether, wherein heat generated by the heating element severs the tether at a point near the proximal end of the implant device.
1. An implant delivery device, comprising:
a delivery pusher including a lumen;
an implant detachably connected to the delivery pusher by a tether having a distal end connected to a proximal end of the implant;
an electrical heating element comprised of a coil having a double winding layer;
a fiber optic cable extending through at least a portion of the lumen of the delivery pusher;
a light source in communication with the fiber optic cable;
wherein, in an energized configuration, the fiber optic cable transmits light energy from the light source to the electrical heating element such that the electrical heating element heats and severs the tether.
2. The implant delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the light source is comprised of a laser.
3. The implant delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the electrical heating element is arranged coaxially around at least a portion of the tether.
4. The implant delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the tether is substantially non-tensioned.
5. The implant delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the electrical heating element is comprised of a distal winding portion contained substantially at a distal end of the delivery pusher so as to provide a focused heating zone.
6. The implant delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the coil is doubled back or reversed upon itself to form the double winding layer.
7. The implant delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a braided vascular occlusion device.
8. The implant delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the tether comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion, and wherein the electrical heating element is disposed coaxially around the distal portion of the tether.
9. The implant delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the electrical heating element comprises a wire.
10. The implant delivery device of claim 9 , wherein the wire is composed of a platinum-tungsten alloy.
11. The implant delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the implant becomes untethered due to heating caused by energizing the electrical heating element.
12. The implant delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the implant becomes untethered due to at least partial melting of the tether.
13. The implant delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the electrical heating element is in electrical communication with a power source by a pair of wires.
14. An implant delivery device, comprising:
a delivery pusher including a lumen;
an implant detachably connected to the delivery pusher by a tether having a distal end connected to a proximal end of the implant;
an electrical heating element arranged coaxially around at least a portion of the tether, the electrical heating element comprising a first coil winding wound in a first direction and a second coil winding wound in a second direction, the second direction being opposite with respect to the first direction;
a fiber optic cable extending through at least a portion of the lumen of the delivery pusher; and
a laser light source in communication with the fiber optic cable; and,
wherein, in an energized configuration, the fiber optic cable transmits light energy from the laser light source to the electrical heating element such that the electrical heating element heats and severs the tether.
15. The implant delivery device of claim 14 , wherein the first coil winding and the second coil winding are open pitch coils.
16. The implant delivery device of claim 14 , wherein the tether is comprised of a polymeric tether.
17. An implant delivery device, comprising:
a delivery means including a lumen;
an implant means detachably connected to the delivery means by a tether means having a distal end connected to a proximal end of the implant means;
an electrical heating means comprising a coil having a double winding layer including the coil doubled back or reversed upon itself;
a fiber optic means extending through at least a portion of the lumen of the delivery means; and
a light source means in communication with the fiber optic means; and,
wherein, in an energized configuration, the fiber optic means transmits light energy from the light source means to the electrical heating means such that the electrical heating means and severs the tether means.
18. The implant delivery device of claim 17 , wherein the the double winding layer is comprised of a first coil winding wound in a first direction and a second coil winding wound in a second direction, the second direction being opposite with respect to the first direction.