# US 10,478,192 B2 · Detachment mechanisms for implantable devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,478,192 B2 - Document ID: US10478192B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/629,392 - Filed: 2015-02-23 - Published: 2017-12-14 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2008-01-04 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Applicants: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Inventors: Clifford Teoh; Michael Williams; Gregory E. Mirigian; Kirsten Carroll; James M. Anderson; Jay Rassat; Benjamin Arcand; Derek Sutermeister - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478192B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/12022: {Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires (plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20)} - A61B 17/12109: {in a blood vessel} - A61B 17/12113: {within an aneurysm} - A61B 17/1214: {Coils or wires} - A61B 17/12145: {having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape (methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526)} - A61B 2017/12068: {detachable by heat} - A61B 2017/12077: {Joint changing shape upon application of heat, e.g. bi-metal or reversible thermal memory} - A61B 2017/1209: {detachable by electrical current or potential, e.g. electroactive polymer} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Disclosed herein are detachment mechanisms for vaso-occlusive devices that allow for rapid operator-controlled release of the vaso-occlusive device into the selected site. Also disclosed are vaso-occlusive assemblies comprising these detachment mechanisms and methods of using these detachment mechanisms and vaso-occlusive assemblies. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An assembly, comprising: an implantable device that includes a structure having a plurality of adjacent windings extending therefrom; and a detachment mechanism that includes a first electroactive polymer and a second electroactive polymer each configured to reversibly engage the structure between two of the adjacent windings; wherein the first and second electroactive polymers move from an expanded configuration to an unexpanded configuration such that the first and second electroactive polymers overlap each other, upon application of heat or electrical energy, to release the implantable device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, the detachment mechanism further comprising an energy source, wherein the first and second electroactive polymers are in direct contact with the energy source. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, the detachment mechanism further comprising an energy source, wherein the first and second electroactive polymers are not in direct contact with the energy source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second electroactive polymers in the unexpanded configuration are substantially disengaged from the structure of the implantable device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the implantable device is a vaso-occlusive coil. ### Claim 6 A method of delivering an implantable device, comprising: introducing an assembly into a lumen of a patient, the assembly comprising: an implantable device that includes a structure having a plurality of adjacent windings extending therefrom; and a detachment mechanism that includes a first electroactive polymer and a second electroactive polymer each configured to reversibly engage the structure between two of the adjacent windings; wherein the first and second electroactive polymers move from an expanded configuration to an unexpanded configuration such that the first and second electroactive polymers overlap each other, upon application of heat or electrical energy, to release the implantable device; and applying heat or electrical energy to the first and second electroactive polymers to release the implantable device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the lumen is a vessel and the implantable device when released at least partially occludes an aneurysm within the vessel of the patient. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the implantable device is a vaso-occlusive coil. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the first and second electroactive polymers move from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration, upon the application of heat thereto. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising an energy source, wherein the first and second electroactive polymers are in direct contact with the energy source. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising an energy source, wherein the first and second electroactive polymers are not in direct contact with the energy source. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second electroactive polymers in the unexpanded configuration are substantially disengaged from the structure of the implantable device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising an energy source, wherein the first and second electroactive polymers are in direct contact with the energy source. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising an energy source, wherein the first and second electroactive polymers are not in direct contact with the energy source. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the detachment mechanism further comprises an elongate tubular member about the first and second electroactive polymers; and wherein the first and second electroactive polymers reversibly engage the structure within the elongate tubular member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the detachment mechanism further comprises an elongate tubular member about the first and second electroactive polymers; and wherein the first and second electroactive polymers reversibly engage the structure outside of the elongate tubular member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a gap between the two of the adjacent windings, and wherein the first and second electroactive polymers reversibly engage the gap. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the detachment mechanism further comprises an elongate tubular member about the first and second electroactive polymers; and wherein the first and second electroactive polymers reversibly engage the structure such that the structure is pushed against the elongate tubular member in the expanded configuration. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the detachment mechanism further comprises an elongate tubular member about the first and second electroactive polymers, the elongate tubular member having an aperture configured for a flow of electrolytes therethrough.