Endoluminal device delivery system using axially recovering shape memory material

Abstract

The endoluminal device delivery system and method for delivering an endoluminal device within a body lumen uses shape memory material in the form of a tubular collar to engage the endoluminal device during delivery to the desired location. The endoluminal device is engaged internally within the tubular collar either mechanically by crimping the tubular collar around a portion of the endoluminal device, or through an adhesive bond. The tubular collar can be crimped about a rounded portion of the stem of the endoluminal device. Once the endoluminal device is maneuvered through the body lumens to the desired location, it is decoupled from the delivery system by applying heat to the tubular collar of shape memory material. When the tubular collar has been heated to a sufficient temperature, it will transition to a rubbery state and shrink in length, thereby retracting completely back on to the optical fiber, causing the distal end of the optical fiber to engage the endoluminal device and dislodge it from the tubular collar. An interlocking assembly can also be utilized at the stem portion of the endoluminal therapeutic device to releaseably connect the endoluminal therapeutic device to the elongated pusher member. The body of shape memory material can also be bonded to both the pusher member and the endoluminal device, with the tubular collar being scored to break when the tubular collar changes from the stressed configuration to the recovered configuration. A collet can also be mounted to the pusher member and disposed within.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.