Coupling System Useful in the Placement of Implants

Abstract

A coupling system is disposed at the distal end of an interventional delivery system for coupling to an implant. The coupling device has a first and second prong connected at one end. The other end of the prongs open or close to release or trap an object, e.g., a bead tethered from an implant. A slot at the distal end of the coupling device allows extra degrees of flexibility for the coupling device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for coupling an implant, the device comprising: a distal end; a pivot; a first prong and a second prong each comprising a first end and a second end, the first prong and second prong being connected by the pivot at their first ends and free at their second ends, each of said first and second prongs having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of at least one of the prongs comprising a recess, the inner surface of the second end of each prong comprising a cavity, the proximal end of the cavity terminating distal to the pivot, at least one of the first prong and the second prong being reversibly movable between an open position and a closed position; and the at least one recess forming a slot comprising a proximal end, a distal end, the proximal end of the slot terminating distal to the pivot, the slot being defined by the second end of at least one of the prongs when the first prong and the second prong are in the closed position. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve slideably moveable relative to the first and second prongs, the sleeve forcing the second end of at least one of the prongs toward the closed position when the sleeve slides over at least a portion of the prongs. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is shaped to conform to the shape of the implant wherein the implant is capable of rotating within the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve slideably moveable relative to the prongs, the sleeve defining a lumen, wherein the prongs are in the closed position when the first ends of the prongs are enclosed in the lumen of the sleeve and the prongs are in the open position when the first ends of the prongs extend out of the lumen of the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve comprising an outer diameter, wherein the outer diameter of the sleeve is smaller than the outer diameter of the second end of the first prong and the second end of the second prong when the first prong and the second prong are together in the closed position. 
     
     
         6 . An interventional delivery system for delivering an implant into a patient, comprising: a tubular portion defining a lumen; a core wire comprising a distal end and having a longitudinal axis, the core wire slideably moveable in the lumen of the tubular portion; and a coupling device at the distal end of the core wire, the coupling device comprising a distal end, a pivot, a first prong and a second prong each comprising a first end and a second end, the first prong and second prong being connected by the pivot at their first ends and free at their second ends, each of said first and second prongs having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of at least one of the prongs comprising a recess, the inner surface of the second end of each prong comprising a cavity, the proximal end of the cavity terminating distal to the pivot, and at least one of the first prong and the second prong being reversibly movable between an open position and a closed position, and the at least one recess forming a slot comprising a proximal end, a distal end, the proximal end of the slot terminating distal to the pivot, the slot being defined by the second end of at least one of the prongs when the first prong and the second prong are in the closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a handle connected to the tubular portion, the handle comprising an actuator for actuating the core wire. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a sleeve slideably moveable relative to the first and second prongs, the sleeve forcing the second end of at least one of the prongs toward the closed position when the sleeve slides over at least a portion of the prong. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising an implant. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the implant comprises a tip and the cavity in each prong is shaped to conform to the shape of the implant tip wherein the implant tip is capable of rotating within the cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the implant comprises a septal occluder. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the implant comprises an atrial appendage occlusion device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a sleeve comprising an outer diameter, wherein the outer diameter of the sleeve is smaller than the outer diameter of the second end of the first prong and the second end of the second prong when the first prong and the second prong are together in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . A method for coupling an implant, the method comprising: providing a coupling device comprising a distal end, a pivot, a first prong and a second prong each comprising a first end and a second end, the first prong and second prong being connected by the pivot at their first ends and free at their second ends, each of said first and second prongs having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of at least one of the prongs comprising a recess, the inner surface of the second end of each prong comprising a cavity, the proximal end of the cavity terminating distal to the pivot, at least one of the first prong and the second prong being reversibly movable between an open position, and a closed position, and a slot comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and an arc shape extending from the distal end of the device, the slot being defined by the second end of at least one of the prongs when the first prong and the second prong are in the closed position; and trapping at least a tip of an implant in the cavity in at least one of the prongs.