Attachment mechanism for stent release

Abstract

An attachment mechanism for coupling a stent to a delivery system is disclosed. The attachment mechanism is configured to pivot relative to an inner shaft assembly of the delivery system in order to release the stent from the delivery system. Methods of deploying the stent with the delivery system are also disclosed.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 : A method of deploying a stent to an implantation site of a patient, the method comprising:
 providing a delivery system loaded with a radially expandable stent, the delivery system comprising:   an elongate support member supporting the stent;   a stent attachment mechanism comprising:   a casing positioned around the elongate support member;   an axle coupled to the casing and including an aperture positioned around the elongate support member; and   a lug coupled to the axle and pivotable with respect to the elongate support member, the lug including a plurality of engagement members adapted to engage the stent;   a capsule movably disposed over the stent wherein the capsule contains the stent in a compressed arrangement in a loaded state;   delivering the stent in the loaded state through a bodily lumen of the patient and to the implantation site; and   removing the capsule from the stent, wherein at least a portion of the stent self-expands toward a deployed arrangement such that the lug and the plurality of engagement members pivot relative to the elongate support member to release the stent from the delivery system.   
     
     
         17 : The method of  claim 16 , wherein the elongate support member comprises a shaft or a tube. 
     
     
         18 : The method of  claim 16 , wherein the casing includes a fastening element configured to engage the elongate support member. 
     
     
         19 : The method of  claim 16 , wherein the casing includes a cavity and further wherein the lug is positioned within the cavity. 
     
     
         20 : The method of  claim 16 , wherein the lug defines a slot surrounding the elongate support member to define a range of rotation for the lug about the elongate support member. 
     
     
         21 : The method of  claim 16 , wherein the lug includes two engagement members on opposite sides of the lug that are configured to engage the stent. 
     
     
         22 : The method of  claim 16 , wherein the engagement members are fingers. 
     
     
         23 : The method of  claim 16 , wherein removing the capsule from the stent comprises proximally retracting the capsule relative to the stent. 
     
     
         24 : The method of  claim 16 , wherein the capsule is slidably disposed over the stent. 
     
     
         25 : A method of deploying a stent to an implantation site of a patient, the method comprising:
 providing a delivery system loaded with a radially expandable stent, the delivery system comprising:   an elongate support member supporting the stent;   a stent attachment mechanism pivotably coupled to the elongate support member, wherein the stent attachment mechanism includes a slot surrounding the elongate support member, wherein the slot defines a range of rotation for the attachment mechanism about the elongate support member; and   a capsule movably disposed over the stent wherein the capsule contains the stent in a compressed arrangement in a loaded state;   delivering the stent in the loaded state through a bodily lumen of the patient and to the implantation site; and   removing the capsule from the stent, wherein at least a portion of the stent self-expands toward a deployed arrangement such that the stent attachment mechanism pivots relative to the elongate support member to release the stent from the delivery system.   
     
     
         26 : The method of  claim 25 , wherein the elongate support member comprises a shaft or a tube. 
     
     
         27 : The method of  claim 25 , wherein the stent attachment mechanism comprises:
 a casing positioned around the elongate support member;   an axle coupled to the casing and including an aperture positioned around the elongate support member; and   a lug coupled to the axle and pivotable with respect to the elongate support member, the lug adapted to engage the stent.   
     
     
         28 : The method of  claim 27 , wherein the casing includes a fastening element configured to engage the elongate support member. 
     
     
         29 : The method of  claim 27 , wherein the casing includes a cavity and further wherein the lug is positioned within the cavity. 
     
     
         30 : The method of  claim 27 , wherein the lug includes the slot adapted to accommodate the elongate support member. 
     
     
         31 : The method of  claim 27 , wherein the lug includes a plurality of stent engagement members configured to engage the stent. 
     
     
         32 : The method of  claim 31 , wherein the engagement members comprise fingers. 
     
     
         33 : The method of  claim 27 , wherein the lug includes two engagement members on opposite sides of the lug that are configured to engage the stent. 
     
     
         34 : The method of  claim 25 , wherein removing the capsule from the stent comprises proximally retracting the capsule relative to the stent. 
     
     
         35 : The method of  claim 25 , wherein the capsule is slidably disposed over the stent.