Guided detachable interlock and method of use

1. An implant delivery system, comprising:

a detachable link connecting an implantable device to a pusher wire, the detachable link comprising an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the elongate body comprising:

a first arm having a first slot and a first arm extension portion distal to the first slot, and

a second arm having a second arm extension portion adapted to mate with the first slot, and a recessed area proximal of the second arm extension portion, the recessed area comprising a guide protrusion configured to mate with a guide recess located on the first arm extension portion when the second arm extension portion mates with the first slot to thereby inhibit relative transverse motion and/or rotational movement between the first and second arms when the first and second arms are mated,

wherein the guide protrusion extends a full length of the recessed area of the second arm and the guide recess extends a full length of the first arm extension portion, and

wherein the guide protrusion extends through less than a full width of the first arm extension portion when mated with the guide recess.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first slot extends transversely to the elongate body.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first slot extends a full width of the elongate body.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the respective guide protrusion and guide recess are adapted to limit transverse movement of the second arm extension portion within the first slot when the first and second arms are mated.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the respective guide protrusion and guide recess limit the relative movement between the first and second arms by at least one degree of freedom when the first and second arms are mated.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first slot and the second arm extension portion limit relative longitudinal movement of the first and second arms when the first and second arms are mated, and the respective guide protrusion and guide recess limits relative transverse movement of the first and second arms when the first and second arms are mated.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the shape of the guide protrusion is configured to mate with the shape of the guide recess.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a delivery catheter defining an axial lumen, and having an open distal end.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the first and second arms are slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter, and are configured to self-detach when deployed out of the distal end of the catheter.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the shape of the second arm extension portion is configured to mate with the shape of the first slot.

11. An implant delivery system, comprising:

a delivery catheter defining an axial lumen and an open distal end in communication with the lumen;

an implantable device; and

a pusher wire coupled to the implantable device via a detachable link, wherein the implantable device and pusher wire are slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter,

the detachable link comprising a longitudinally extending body comprising first and second engaging members;

the first engaging member having a slot, and a first engaging member extension portion distal to the slot,

the second engaging member having a second engaging member extension portion adapted to engage the first engaging member slot, and a recessed area proximal of the second engaging member extension portion, the recessed area comprising a guide protrusion configured to engage a guide recess located on the first engaging member extension portion when the second engaging member extension portion engages with the first engaging member slot to thereby inhibit relative transverse and/or rotational movement between the first and second engaging members when the first and second engaging members are engaged,

wherein the guide protrusion extends a full length of the recessed area of the second engaging member and the guide recess extends a full length of the first engaging member extension portion,

wherein the guide protrusion extends through less than a full width of the first engaging member extension portion when mated with the guide recess, and

wherein the first and second engaging members self-detach when deployed out of the distal end of the catheter.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the guide protrusion has an elongate shape.

13. The system of claim 11 , further comprising at least one additional guide protrusion and at least one additional guide recess.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one additional guide protrusion extends from the slot of the first engaging member, and is configured to engage the at least one additional guide recess located on the extension portion of the second engaging member.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first and second engaging members are detachably coupled.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first engaging member extension portion and the recessed area of the second engaging member transmit longitudinal forces.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the guide protrusion of the second engaging member recessed area and the guide recess of the first engaging member extension portion transmit at least some non-longitudinally directed forces between the first and second engaging members.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the guide protrusion and guide recess transmit forces transverse to the longitudinal extending body of the detachable link.

19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the respective guide protrusion and guide recess limit the relative movement between the first and second engaging members by at least one degree of freedom when the first and second engaging members are engaged.