System for the percutaneous transluminal front-end loading delivery and retrieval of a prosthetic occluder

A percutaneous transluminal front-end loading delivery assembly, for delivery of a collapsible prosthetic occluder, and retrieval sheath assembly comprising:

• a front-end loading portion comprising a main body having a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending therethrough, a portion of said lumen being tapered inwardly toward a smaller diameter distal portion;
• an infusion port extending through said main body and in direct communication with said distal portion of said lumen, and a valve for sealing said lumen proximally of said small diameter distal portion;
• an introducer sheath having a flexible distal end, a proximal end and a lumen extending therethrough, said distal end of said front-end loading portion being removeably mountable to a hub at a proximal end of said introducer sheath;
• a retrieval sheath removeably mounted about said introducer sheath and having a lumen extending therethrough adapted to slidably receive said introducer sheath, a distal end of said retrieval sheath being less flexible than said flexible distal end of said introducer sheath;
• and
• a control assembly moveable through said lumen of said front-end loading portion and said lumen of said introducer sheath;
• said control assembly comprising;
• an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a flexible distal end and a lumen extending therethrough;
• a locking wire extending through said lumen of said elongated shaft having a proximal end and a locking member at a distal end which is extendable beyond said flexible distal end of said elongated shaft;
• a portion of said flexible distal end of said elongated shaft being adapted to lockingly hold said locking member and a locking member of the collapsible prosthetic occluder and a valve for sealing said proximal end of said introducer lumen about said distal end of said front-end loading portion.

A percutaneous transluminal introducer and retrieval sheath assembly, comprising:

• an introducer sheath having a proximal end, a flexible distal end which is bendable to conform to a shape of a body lumen adjacent a defect site and a lumen extending therethrough;
• a retrieval sheath removeably mounted about said introducer sheath and having a lumen extending therethrough adapted to slidably receive said introducer sheath, a distal end of said retrieval sheath being less flexible than said flexible distal end of said introducer sheath;
• and
• a control assembly comprising:
• an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a flexible distal end and a lumen extending therethrough;
• a locking wire extending through said lumen of said elongated shaft having a proximal end and a locking member at a distal end which is extendable beyond said flexible distal end of said elongated shaft;
• said locking wire extending through and beyond said introducer sheath lumen, and having said distal locking member connected to an article to be retrieved having a configuration larger than said introducer sheath lumen.