Systems and methods for on-device constraining mechanism construction
AssigneeW. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
InventorsJerry J. Stastka, Tyson J. Skelton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed apparatuses, systems and methods that include forming a constraining mechanism for an implantable medical device delivery. The apparatuses, systems and methods may include reducing a diameter of the implantable medical from a deployed diameter to a reduced diameter and interlocking one or more fibers along a length of the implantable medical device while the implantable medical device is in the reduced diameter to form the constraining mechanism.
Claims18
A method of forming a constraining mechanism for an implantable medical device delivery, the method comprising:
- reducing a diameter of the implantable medical device from a deployed diameter to a reduced diameter by forcing the implantable medical device through a funnel having internal surfaces reducing in diameter;
- and
- wrapping one or more fibers circumferentially about the implantable medical device and the funnel, wherein the funnel includes a zone defining a landing position for the one or more fibers when forming the constraining mechanism, the zone having a length approximately equal to a length of the implantable medical device;
- and
- interlocking the one or more fibers on the implantable medical device along a length of the implantable medical device while the implantable medical device is constrained by the funnel in the reduced diameter to form the constraining mechanism.
A system for forming a constraining mechanism for an implantable medical device delivery, the system comprising:
- a funnel configured to reduce a diameter of the implantable medical device from a deployed diameter to a reduced diameter, wherein the funnel defines an exit point;
- and
- a device positioned adjacent to the exit point of the funnel and configured to interlock one or more fibers along a length of the implantable medical device at a zone defining a landing position for the one or more fibers when forming the constraining mechanism, the device configured to interlock the one or more fibers at the exit point while the implantable medical device is constrained by the funnel in the reduced diameter to form the constraining mechanism.
A method comprising:
- loading an implantable medical device into a funnel having internal surfaces reducing an internal diameter of the funnel and a zone defining a landing position for one or more fibers when forming a constraining mechanism;
- reducing a diameter of the implantable medical device by forcing the implantable medical device through the internal surfaces reducing the internal diameter of the funnel;
- and
- applying the one or more fibers to the implantable medical device while the implantable medical device is constrained by the funnel in the reduced diameter and as the implantable medical device exits the zone of the funnel to maintain the implantable medical device at reduced diameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.