US6039744A — Assembly for positioning an implant in an interna…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 257 words

Assembly for positioning an implant in an internal passageway of a body, wherein the implant has an axis, at least one axial tubular region having an inside diameter, and a structure suitable for adopting a first, radially deployed, state in a situation implanted in the passageway, or a second, radially restricted, state in a positioning situation, said assembly comprising a first and second removable elongated elements slidably mounted inside a catheter having an inside and an outside diameter, the first and second elements cooperating closely for positioning or withdrawing the implant, the first and second elements having a predetermined cross-section and extending substantially parallel to one another, the first element only having, towards the distal end, a lateral protuberance having a radial length, while the other element has no such protuberance, a cumulative cross-section dimensions of the two elements away from their distal end, and the radial length of the lateral protuberance, being smaller than the inside diameter of the tubular region of the implant so that the elements pass through at their distal end in a situation of positioning the implant in the passageway, the lateral protuberance of the first element being disposed outside the catheter when the implant is in its first radially deployed state while the assembly is still retaining the implant, and the radial length of the lateral protuberance being smaller than a inside diameter of the catheter so that, once the implant is released and in place in the passageway, the second element can be pulled through the catheter to be withdraw.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 257 words

Assembly for positioning an implant in an internal passageway of a body, wherein the implant has an axis, at least one axial tubular region having an inside diameter, and a structure suitable for adopting a first, radially deployed, state in a situation implanted in the passageway, or a second, radially restricted, state in a positioning situation, said assembly comprising a first and second removable elongated elements slidably mounted inside a catheter having an inside and an outside diameter, the first and second elements cooperating closely for positioning or withdrawing the implant, the first and second elements having a predetermined cross-section and extending substantially parallel to one another, the first element only having, towards the distal end, a lateral protuberance having a radial length, while the other element has no such protuberance, a cumulative cross-section dimensions of the two elements away from their distal end, and the radial length of the lateral protuberance, being smaller than the inside diameter of the tubular region of the implant so that the elements pass through at their distal end in a situation of positioning the implant in the passageway, the lateral protuberance of the first element being disposed outside the catheter when the implant is in its first radially deployed state while the assembly is still retaining the implant, and the radial length of the lateral protuberance being smaller than a inside diameter of the catheter so that, once the implant is released and in place in the passageway, the second element can be pulled through the catheter to be withdraw.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 60 words

Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second elongate elements are in the form of two long wires arranged slidably in a catheter with the protuberance of the first element then being located outside the catheter, the catheter and the wires being sufficiently long to be manoeuvred from outside the body, while the implant is in the passageway.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 73 words

Assembly according to claim 2 further comprising a sleeve which has an inside diameter which is greater than the outside diameter of the catheter and of the tubular region of the implant and which is suitable for accommodating the implant in its radially restricted state, the catheter and the wires constituting a means of maneuver sufficiently rigid to provide for axial movement of the implant in order to position it in the passageway.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 60 words

Assembly according to claim 2, wherein, when the implant is in its held position, while the distal end of the elongate elements is engaged through the tubular region of the implant, the catheter is placed substantially against a proximal surface of that region while the lateral protuberance of the first element is placed against a distal surface of said region.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 81 words

Assembly according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the two wires has over most of its length a cross-section which is strictly smaller than half the inside diameter of the catheter, it being possible for the other wire to have over its entire length a cross-section smaller than or equal to half the inside diameter of the catheter, so that the sum of the cross-sections of the two wires is strictly smaller than the inside diameter of the catheter.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 59 words

Assembly according to claim 5, wherein the two wires have a circular cross-section and each has a diameter strictly smaller than half the inside diameter of the catheter over their entire length with the exception of a region close to their distal end where their diameter is greater than or equal to half the inside diameter of the catheter.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 42 words

Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first element is in the form of a substantially rectilinear rod which is curved at its distal end, forming an angle of approximately from 45° to 90° with the rod, to form a short hook.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 51 words

Assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a grip having a front end beyond which the elongated elements extend, each element being secured to an axial slide, and a first slide, to which the second element is secured, being arranged in front of that to which the first element is secured.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 35 words

Assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first slide is provided with a manoeuvring arm in order to be accessible to the user's hand, while the second slide is not accessible from outside the grip.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 34 words

Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the implant is a blood filter suitable for being implanted either temporarily or permanently, after the withdrawal of the holding/release device from the tubular region of the filter.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the implant is a vascular atherectomy or occlusion device.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-03-21	2003-09-20	2004-03-21	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-03-21	2007-09-20	2008-03-21	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-03-21	2011-09-20	2012-03-21	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Assembly for positioning an implant in an internal passageway of a body

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