IMPLANT DELIVERY
Apparatus and methods for an implant are provided. The implant may have a constrained configuration and a relaxed configuration. The implant may include a strut having an end that may be captured by a hub and may define a reference angle in the relaxed configuration. The implant may include a swivel body that may engage a shaft of a delivery cable and may be rotated through the reference angle. The apparatus may include a pusher catheter to push the implant. The delivery cable may engage the implant. The apparatus may include gauge handle that may include a force gauge to indicate the presence of a force acting on the implant. The apparatus may include a bushing that may be fixed to an end of a pusher catheter. The bushing may move along a delivery catheter lumen and may guide the implant to a keyed position at the bushing.
1 . An implant for a heart chamber, the implant having a constrained configuration and a relaxed configuration, the implant comprising:
a strut having an end that:
is captured by a hub; and,
in the relaxed configuration, defines a reference angle; and
a swivel body that is configured to:
engage a shaft of a delivery cable; and
be rotated through the reference angle.
2 . The implant of claim 1 wherein the hub includes the swivel body.
3 . The implant of claim 2 wherein:
the hub includes a hinge block; and
the swivel body is configured to rotate with respect to the hinge block.
4 . The implant of claim 1 wherein the swivel body is configured to be retained by the hub after deployment of the implant, withdrawal of the shaft from a patient and closure of an access hole in the patient.
5 - 6 . (canceled)
7 . The implant of claim 3 wherein the swivel body defines a threaded interior.
8 . The implant of claim 7 wherein the shaft is threadingly joined to the threaded interior of the swivel body.
9 . The implant of claim 8 further comprising a connector that extends between the swivel body and the hub;
wherein:
the connector includes a swivel arm that is configured to rotate inside a receptacle; and
the swivel arm extends from the swivel body and the hub defines the receptacle.
10 - 12 . (canceled)
13 . The implant of claim 9 wherein:
the swivel arm is a first swivel arm and the receptacle is a first receptacle; and
the connector includes a second swivel arm that:
extends from the swivel body; and
is configured to rotate in a second receptacle that is defined by the hub.
14 - 15 . (canceled)
16 . The implant of claim 1 further comprising a hub cover that is disposed on the hub;
wherein the hub cover does not obstruct access to the swivel body.
17 - 19 . (canceled)
20 . The implant of claim 3 wherein:
the swivel body defines an axis of rotation with respect to the hinge block; and
the swivel body is rotatable 360° about the axis of rotation.
21 - 22 . (canceled)
23 . The implant of claim 13 wherein the hinge block comprises:
a top segment including neither “T”-shaped slots nor straight slots;
a middle segment defining:
a plurality of “T”-shaped slots;
the first receptacle; and
the second receptacle; and
a bottom segment including a plurality of straight slots, each straight slot being aligned with one of the plurality of “T”-shaped slots.
24 - 25 . (canceled)
26 . The implant of claim 23 wherein the top segment is configured to prevent struts from disengaging from the hub.
27 . (canceled)
28 . The implant of claim 26 wherein:
the end of each strut is a “T”-shaped terminus that includes a crossbar; and
each “T”-shaped terminus is configured to be positioned in one of the “T”-shaped slots.
29 . (canceled)
30 . The implant of claim 28 wherein each straight slot is configured provide clearance for the strut to angulate relative to a central axis of the hub without releasing the crossbar.
31 . The implant of claim 30 wherein the top segment and the bottom segment:
include neither the first receptacle nor the second receptacle; and
are configured to prevent the swivel body from disengaging from the hub.
32 . The implant of claim 23 wherein:
the top segment is attached to an upper face of the middle segment; and
the bottom segment is attached to a bottom face of the middle segment.
33 - 34 . (canceled)
35 . The implant of claim 23 wherein:
the hinge block circumscribes a cylindrical-like shape; and
the hinge block defines a gap extending into an interior of the hub, the gap comprising:
a rectangular recess;
a cylindrical cavity extending away from the rectangular recess; and
a flared opening extending away from the cylindrical cavity.
36 . The implant of claim 35 wherein:
the swivel body is disposed in the rectangular recess;
the cylindrical cavity is configured to receive a protrusion from an implant delivery device; and
the flared opening is configured to receive a positioner catheter through which a snare of the implant delivery device extends.
37 . The implant of claim 13 wherein the hinge block further includes:
a top segment including neither “T”-shaped slots nor straight slots;
an upper middle segment including:
“T”-shaped slots;
the first receptacle; and
the second receptacle;
a lower middle segment including alternating “T”-shaped slots and straight slots; and
a bottom segment including straight slots, each straight slot being positioned immediately below, and aligned with, either a “T”-shaped slot or a straight slot from the lower middle segment.
38 - 45 . (canceled)
46 . The implant of claim 37 wherein:
the top segment is attached to an upper face of the upper middle segment;
a bottom face of the upper middle segment is attached to an upper face of the lower middle segment; and
the bottom segment is attached to a bottom face of the lower middle segment.
47 - 126 . (canceled)