IMPLANT DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH ELECTROLYTIC DETACHMENT

1 . A system for delivering a vascular implant into a body lumen of a patient, the system comprising:

an elongated delivery device having an outer member having a lumen and a delivery member positioned within the lumen of the outer member, the delivery member having an engagement member at a distal portion and a detachment zone spaced proximally of the engagement member, the engagement member engageable with a first engagement portion of the implant, the proximal region of the delivery member extending proximally of the outer member;

wherein energy is applied to the delivery member to detach the engagement member from the delivery wire and separate the implant along with the engagement member from the delivery member.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein bipolar energy is applied to detach the delivery member from the implant wherein the delivery member forms an anode and the outer member forms a cathode.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the engagement member has a J-tip engageable with the implant.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the implant includes a tube at a proximal end having a recess, and the recess forms the first engagement portion dimensioned to receive the J-tip.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the outer member includes a hypotube forming a conductive member.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein a proximal region of the delivery wire is offset from a central longitudinal axis of the conductive member.

7 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a conductive member positioned radially of the delivery member, the delivery member and conductive member in electrical contact and forming an anode of a circuit when the conductive member is electrically coupled to a power supply.

8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a flexible wire at a proximal region of the delivery device, the flexible wire extending proximally of the outer member to enable bending of the proximal region without kinking.

9 . The system of claim 7 , further comprising a flexible wire positioned radially of the delivery member and distally of the conductive member, and the conductive member terminates proximally of the outer member.

10 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a first insulator positioned proximal of the detachment zone and a second insulator positioned on the engagement member to insulate the engagement member and prevent electrical energy flow to the implant.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a proximal region of the delivery device is more flexible than an intermediate region of the delivery device.

12 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a ring assembly at a distal region of the delivery member, the delivery member extending within the ring assembly.

13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the delivery member at a proximal end loops to form a U-shape.

14 . The system of claim 13 , further comprising a first coil at a proximal region of the delivery system, the U-shaped end of the delivery member in electrical contact with the coil.

15 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising a second coil distal of and electrically isolated from the first coil.

16 . A system for delivering a vascular implant into a body lumen of a patient, the system comprising:

an elongated delivery member having an engagement member at a distal portion and a detachment zone spaced proximally of the engagement member, the engagement member engageable with a first engagement portion of the implant;

an outer member, the elongated delivery member positioned within the outer member and extending distally and proximally of the outer member; and

a conductive member positioned proximally of the outer member and in contact with the delivery member for connection to a power source;

wherein energy is applied to the conductive member and to the delivery member to detach the engagement member from the delivery wire and separate the implant from the delivery member.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the system is a bipolar system and the delivery member forms the anode and the outer member forms the cathode.

18 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising a wire extending distally of the conductive member and a distal end of the conductive member terminates proximally of the outer member and distally of a proximal end of the delivery member.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the wire has a first portion within the outer member and a second portion proximal of the outer member.

20 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the delivery member at a proximal end loops to form a U-shape.

21 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the conductive member is a coil and the delivery member extends through the coil.

22 . A system for delivering a vascular implant into a body lumen of a patient, the system comprising:

an elongated delivery device having an outer member having a lumen and a delivery member positioned within the lumen of the outer member, the delivery member having an engagement member at a distal portion and a detachment zone spaced proximally of the engagement member, the engagement member engageable with a first engagement portion of the implant, the delivery member having a ring assembly positioned around a distal portion thereof and having a first portion within the outer member and a second portion extending distally of the outer member;

wherein energy is applied to the delivery member to detach the engagement member from the delivery wire and separate the implant along with the engagement member from the delivery member.

23 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the ring assembly includes a ring having an arm extending proximally within the outer member.

24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the detachment zone is distal of the ring assembly.

25 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the delivery member at a proximal end loops to form a U-shape.