Delivery device with viewing window and associated method

A method for deploying an implantable device within a lumen proximate to a target area comprising:

• an implantable device having a proximal end and a distal end;
• positioning the implantable device within an outer tube, wherein the outer tube has an open distal end;
• sliding the outer tube over an inner tube to substantially align a pair of side openings defined in each of the inner and outer tubes;
• positioning the inner and outer tubes within the lumen;
• viewing at least a portion of the target area proximate to each of the side openings;
• and
• deploying the implantable device out of the open distal end of the outer tube and proximate to the target area such that the implantable device expands as the inner and outer tubes are displaced with respect to one another;
• wherein both the inner tube and the outer tube comprise a coil formed longitudinally therein, the coil including proximal and distal ends, positioned within each of the inner and outer tubes having proximal and distal ends, wherein a respective side opening of each of the inner and outer tubes is defined distally of the distal end of each of the respective coils,
• wherein each of the side openings aligns with each other proximate to the proximal end of the implantable device, and wherein the distal end of the outer tube extends distally of the distal end of the inner tube and proximate to a distal end of the implantable device when the side openings are aligned with one another.

A delivery device for positioning and deploying an implantable device within a lumen comprising:

• an implantable device having proximal and distal ends;
• a longitudinal outer tube having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein the distal end of the outer tube is open and the implantable device is positioned within the lumen of the outer tube and proximate to the distal end of the outer tube;
• a longitudinal inner tube positioned within the outer tube and having proximal and distal ends, wherein the outer tube and the inner tube are axially displaceable with respect to one another;
• a side opening defined in each of the inner and outer tubes, wherein each side opening is defined proximate to the implantable device and is capable of substantially aligning with the other side opening prior to deploying the implantable device;
• and
• a mechanism coupled to at least one of the inner and outer tubes and operable to axially displace the inner and outer tubes with respect to one another such that the implantable device is configured to expand out of the open distal end of the outer tube and within the lumen as the inner and outer tubes are axially displaced with respect to one another,
• wherein both the inner tube and the outer tube comprise a coil formed longitudinally therein, the coil including proximal and distal ends, positioned within each of the inner and outer tubes having proximal and distal ends, wherein a respective side opening of each of the inner and outer tubes is defined distally of the distal end of each of the respective coils,
• wherein each of the side openings aligns with each other proximate to the proximal end of the implantable device, and wherein the distal end of the outer tube extends distally of the distal end of the inner tube and proximate to a distal end of the implantable device when the side openings are aligned with one another.

A delivery device for positioning and deploying an implantable device within a lumen comprising:

• a longitudinal outer tube having proximal and distal ends, wherein the implantable device is positioned within the outer tube, wherein the implantable device includes a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the outer tube comprises a coil formed longitudinally therein;
• a longitudinal inner tube positioned within the outer tube and having proximal and distal ends, wherein the outer tube and the inner tube are axially displaceable with respect to one another, and wherein the inner tube comprises a coil formed longitudinally therein;
• a side opening defined in each of the inner and outer tubes, wherein each side opening is defined proximate to the proximal end of the implantable device and is capable of substantially aligning with the other side opening, and wherein each side opening is defined proximally of a respective coil formed in each of the inner and outer tubes;
• and
• a mechanism coupled to at least one of the inner and outer tubes and operable to axially displace the inner and outer tubes with respect to one another to deploy the implantable device within the lumen.

A delivery device for positioning and deploying an implantable device within a lumen comprising:

• a longitudinal outer tube having proximal and distal ends, wherein the implantable device, having a proximal end and a distal end, is positioned within the outer tube;
• a longitudinal inner tube positioned within the outer tube and having proximal and distal ends, wherein the outer tube and the inner tube are axially displaceable with respect to one another;
• a side opening defined in each of the inner and outer tubes, wherein each side opening is defined proximate to implantable device and is capable of substantially aligning with the other side opening, and wherein the distal end of the outer tube extends distally of the distal end of the inner tube a distance approximately equal to a length of the implantable device when the side openings are aligned with one another;
• and
• a mechanism coupled to at least one of the inner and outer tubes and operable to axially displace the inner and outer tubes with respect to one another to deploy the implantable device within the lumen, and
• wherein both the inner tube and the outer tube comprise a coil formed longitudinally therein, the coil including proximal and distal ends, positioned within each of the inner and outer tubes having proximal and distal ends, wherein a respective side opening of each of the inner and outer tubes is defined distally of the distal end of each of the respective coils,
• wherein each of the side openings aligns with each other proximate to the proximal end of the implantable device, and wherein the distal end of the outer tube extends distally of the distal end of the inner tube and proximate to a distal end of the implantable device when the side openings are aligned with one another.