Spring for moveable jaws of device and delivery system for releasing therapautic appliance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spring to return more quickly the jaws of a gripper assembly of a delivery system for deploying an embolic coil. Each of the jaws and spring are formed of shape memory alloy configured to be movable between a first position and a second position and returning to the first position, with the spring tension increasing the speed of the return to the first position of the jaws of the gripper assembly. The gripper assembly may be used to insert, retract, reconnect, and rapidly disconnect from the embolic coil.

1 . A device for delivering an embolic coil, the device comprising:
 a gripper assembly comprising a body portion formed from a metal alloy, said gripper assembly trained in an open position in an austenitic phase of said metal alloy, said body portion configured with a gripper proximal end and a gripper distal end, said gripper proximal end configured in conductive engagement with a plurality of conductive wires by a conductive adhesive, said gripper distal end configured with a slot extending from said gripper distal end to a gripper hinge on each side of said gripper assembly forming one or more jaw portions, said one or more jaw portions configured to move to said open position by applying an electrical current and/or to move to a closed position by removing said electrical current to said one or more jaw portions to a martensitic phase; and   a spring having a generally uniform body portion, a spring proximal end and a spring distal end having a slot extending on each side of said body portion to a spring hinge forming one or more spring jaw portions, said spring being configured to slidably receive said body portion of said gripper assembly, said spring hinge configured to exert spring tension said one or more jaws portions of said gripper assembly.   
     
     
         2 . A device for delivering an embolic coil, the device comprising:
 a gripper assembly comprising:   a body portion formed from metal alloy, said body portion trained to open above body temperature to an open position, said body portion having a gripper proximal end and a gripper distal end, said gripper proximal end configured to be in conductive engagement with a tip connector portion of a delivery device with a plurality of conductive wires secured at said tip connector portion by conductive adhesive, said body portion configured with a slot extending from said gripper distal end to a gripper hinge on each side of said body portion forming one or more jaw portions, said one or more jaw portions configured to move to an open position by applying an electrical current and/or to move to a closed position by removing said electrical current; and   a spring configured with a bias in a closed position, a spring having a generally uniform body portion, a spring proximal end and a spring distal end having a slot extending on each side of said body portion to a spring hinge forming one or more spring jaw portions, said spring being configured to slidably receive said body portion of said gripper assembly, said spring configured to allow movement of said one or more spring jaw portions between said closed position and an open position, said spring hinge configured to exert spring tension said one or more jaws portions of said gripper assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said spring being formed from metal, metal alloys, and/or stainless steel. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said slot of said spring is configured with a grip portion adjacent said spring distal end configured to receive said embolic coil. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said slot of said gripper assembly is configured with a grip portion adjacent said gripper distal end configured to receive said embolic coil. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said slot of said spring is configured with a grip portion adjacent said spring distal end configured to receive said embolic coil. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said slot of said gripper assembly is configured with a grip portion adjacent said gripper distal end configured to receive said embolic coil.