Over-the-wire interlock attachment/detachment mechanism

Abstract

The over-the-wire interlock attachment/detachment mechanism includes a cylindrical lock receiving section of a small diameter attached to an implantable medical device such as a blood clot filter, a stent, or a septal occluder. This cylindrical lock receiving section has a plurality of spaced, curved cutouts to receive both the guide fingers and contoured locking fingers formed on a cylindrical locking section. The locking fingers are angled outwardly from the cylindrical body of the cylindrical locking section, and are moved inwardly into engagement with the curved cutouts of the cylindrical lock receiving section by a sheath which slides over the cylindrical locking section or other suitable operator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for retrieving a medical implant comprising:
 accessing a medical implant using a locking mechanism comprising a locking arm, wherein the locking mechanism is enclosed in a sheath, and the implant comprises a cutout section;   sliding the sheath away from the locking mechanism to allow the locking arm to angle outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the locking mechanism;   positioning the locking arm over the cutout section of the implant;   sliding the sheath back over the locking mechanism to lock the locking arm in the cutout section and thereby locking the implant; and   retrieving the locking mechanism with the implant.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the accessing step comprises accessing the implant with a guidewire and passing the locking mechanism over the guidewire. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the implant is selected from the group consisting of an occluder, a filter, and a stent.