System and method for locating detachment zone of a detachable implant
AssigneeMicroVention, Inc.
InventorTai D. Tieu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for quickly detaching an implant and for locating the detachment zone of a detachable implant. A sensor determines a sudden change in the local environment as the sensor passes from within a microcatheter to being exposed to the vasculature. The sensor may be a temperature sensor, ultrasonic sensor, pressure sensor or the like. If the detachable implant assembly uses a heater coil to detach the implant, the heater coil may be used as a sensor. Additionally, the implant itself may be used as a sensor if a change in electrical resistance is detectable as the implant exits the microcatheter and changes shape.
Claims6
A method for determining when an implant has advanced out of a microcatheter, the method comprising the steps of:
- advancing an implant through a lumen of a microcatheter;
- obtaining with a sensor system resistance measurements from a resistance-type heater coil located in the microcatheter;
- prior to detachment of the implant from the pusher within the microcatheter, monitoring the resistance measurements for a change in resistance due to blood entering the microcatheter when the implant has advanced out of the microcatheter;
- and
- signaling that the implant has advanced out of the microcatheter based on the change in resistance prior to detachment of the implant from the pusher.
A method of deploying an implant from a pusher, the method comprising the steps of:
- advancing an implant through a lumen of a microcatheter;
- obtaining with a sensor system resistance measurements from a resistance-type heater coil connected to the pusher and located in the microcatheter;
- prior to separation of the implant from the pusher, monitoring the resistance measurements for a change in resistance due to blood entering the microcatheter when the implant has advanced out of the microcatheter;
- signaling that the implant has advanced out of the microcatheter based on the change in resistance prior to separation of the implant from the pusher;
- and
- separating the implant from the pusher based on said monitoring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.