Medical device including attachable components
An example system for delivering an implantable heart valve is disclosed. The system includes a connection assembly including: an inner shaft having a proximal end region, a distal end region and a first coupling member disposed along a portion of the distal end region, wherein the first coupling member includes a plurality of apertures. The connection assembly also includes a support shaft and a second coupling member, wherein the second coupling member includes a stem, wherein the stem includes a groove extending circumferentially around the stem. The connection assembly also includes a plurality of bearings, wherein a portion of each bearing is disposed in a portion of the groove. The connection assembly also includes a locking cap coupled to the inner shaft, wherein a portion of the locking cap is configured to cover at least a portion of each of the plurality of bearings.
1. A system for delivering an implantable heart valve, comprising:
a connection assembly having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration, the connection assembly including:
an inner shaft having a proximal end region, a distal end region and a first coupling member disposed along a portion of the distal end region, wherein the first coupling member includes a plurality of apertures;
a support shaft having a proximal end region, a distal end region and a second coupling member disposed along a portion of the proximal end region, wherein the second coupling member includes a stem, wherein the stem includes a groove extending circumferentially around the stem;
a plurality of bearings, wherein each bearing is disposed in a respective aperture of the plurality of apertures, and wherein a portion of each bearing is also disposed in a portion of the groove when the connection assembly is in the engaged configuration; and
a locking cap coupled to the inner shaft, wherein a portion of the locking cap is configured to cover at least a portion of each of the plurality of bearings when the connection assembly is in the engaged configuration.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking cap includes a plurality of tabs extending circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the locking cap.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of tabs is configured to flex radially away from the longitudinal axis.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of tabs is configured to flex radially away from the longitudinal axis as the stem in inserted into a lumen of the first coupling member.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of tabs is configured to exert a radially inward force on each of the plurality of bearings in the engaged configuration.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of bearings is configured to slide circumferentially around the stem while disposed within the groove.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein each of the bearings is configured to rotate relative to the first coupling member, the second coupling member and the locking cap in the engaged configuration.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein each of the bearings is configured to shift radially outward within its respective aperture of the plurality of apertures as the stem is inserted into a lumen of the first coupling member.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of bearings is disposed within its respective aperture of the plurality of apertures in the disengaged configuration.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking cap is fixedly attached to the first coupling member.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the first coupling member is configured to rotate relative to the second coupling member in the engaged configuration.
12. A system for delivering an implantable heart valve, comprising:
a tip assembly having a distal end region and a proximal end region;
a guidewire shaft coupled to the distal end region of the tip assembly;
a connection assembly having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration,
the connection assembly including:
an inner shaft having a proximal end region, a distal end region and a first coupling member disposed along a portion of the distal end region, wherein the first coupling member includes a plurality of apertures;
a support shaft having a proximal end region, a distal end region and a second coupling member disposed along a portion of the proximal end region, wherein the second coupling member includes a stem, wherein the stem includes a groove extending circumferentially around the stem;
a plurality of bearings, wherein each bearing is disposed in a respective aperture of the plurality of apertures, and wherein a portion of each bearing is also disposed in a portion of the groove when the connection assembly is in the engaged configuration; and
a locking cap coupled to the inner shaft, wherein a portion of the locking cap is configured to cover at least a portion of each of the plurality of bearings when the connection assembly is in the engaged configuration.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the locking cap includes a plurality of tabs extending circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the locking cap.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of tabs is configured to flex radially away from the longitudinal axis.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of tabs is configured to flex radially away from the longitudinal axis as the stem is inserted into a lumen of the first coupling member.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of tabs is configured to exert a radially inward force on each of the plurality of bearings in the engaged configuration.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of bearings is configured to slide circumferentially around the stem while disposed within the groove.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein each of the bearings is configured to rotate relative to the first coupling member, the second coupling member and the locking cap in the engaged configuration.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the first coupling member is configured to rotate relative to the second coupling member in the engaged configuration.
20. A method for delivering an implantable heart valve, the method comprising:
attaching a first coupling member of an actuation shaft to a second coupling member of a support shaft of a medical device delivery system, the medical device delivery system including the implantable heart valve;
wherein attaching the first coupling member of the actuation shaft to the second coupling member of the support shaft includes positioning a plurality of bearings into a groove of the second coupling member;
advancing the medical device delivery system to a target site adjacent the heart; and
deploying the implantable heart valve at the target site.