Intraluminal implant delivery system and method

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods for retracting a pull wire from a hypotube can include positioning a pull wire having an engagement bump on its proximal end within a channel of a device and sliding the pull wire proximally through a channel of a device by moving grippers of the device proximally to engage and slide the bump. Subsequent distal movement of the grippers can result in the grippers disengaging the bump without disturbing the position of the pull wire or causing the pull wire to move distally.

1 . A device for retracting a pull wire from a hypotube, the device comprising:
 a receptacle aligned on a central axis, comprising a distal surface configured to engage a proximal end of the hypotube, and configured to slidably receive the pull wire;   a track comprising a parallel segment positioned parallel to the central axis; and   a retractor coupled to the track and movable through the track in a proximal direction and a distal direction parallel to the central axis,
 the retractor comprising an engagement surface positioned to engage an extending portion of the pull wire upon a proximal movement of the retractor thereby extracting the pull wire from the proximal end of the hypotube and extending the pull wire into the receptable, 
 the engagement surface being positioned such that a subsequent distal movement of the retractor causes the retractor to disengage from the extending portion of the pull wire so that the pull wire remains stationary in relation to the hypotube. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the parallel segment inhibits lateral movement of the retractor. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle further comprises a channel defining the central axis and configured to slidably receive the pull wire. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the channel is configured to contact the extending portion of the pull wire upon lateral movement of the extending portion to thereby inhibit lateral movement of the pull wire within the channel. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein a distal end of the channel corresponds to the distal surface of the receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the track further comprises an extending segment positioned distal the parallel segment and extending away from the central axis, and   wherein the retractor is movable in at least a lateral direction within the extending segment of the track.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor is movable in a lateral direction within an extending portion of the track that is separate from the parallel portion, movement of the retractor through the extending portion in the proximal direction causes the retractor to approach the central axis, and movement of the retractor through the extending portion in the distal direction causes the retractor to retreat from the central axis. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said retractor is a first retractor in a pair of retractors, the pair of retractors comprising the first retractor and a second retractor, the first and second retractors being coupled for simultaneous movement, and   wherein said track is a first track in a pair of tracks, the pair of tracks comprising the first track and a second track, the second retractor being movable within the second track.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a spring applying spring force to the retractor in the distal direction. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor is positioned such that upon the proximal movement of the retractor, the engagement surface is the sole portion of the retractor engaging the pull wire and the extending portion is the sole portion of the pull wire engaged by the engagement surface. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manipulating a pull wire comprising the steps of:
 positioning a proximal portion of the pull wire and an engagement bump into a receptacle of a retracting device, the engagement bump extending radially from a circumference of the pull wire;   engaging a proximal end of a hypotube in which a distal portion of the pull wire extends to a distal surface of the receptacle;   moving a retractor in a proximal direction through a parallel segment of a track that is parallel to the pull wire, thereby engaging an engagement surface of the retractor to the engagement bump of the pull wire and further extending the pull wire into the receptacle; and   subsequently moving the retractor in a distal direction through the parallel segment, thereby disengaging the pull wire so that the pull wire remains stationary in relation to the receptacle.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 inhibiting lateral movement of the retractor by the parallel segment of the track. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 sliding the proximal portion of the pull wire within a channel of the retracting device.   
     
     
         14 . The method  claim 13 , further comprising:
 inhibiting lateral movement of the proximal portion of the pull wire via contact of the engagement bump to the channel.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 engaging a distal end of the channel to the proximal end of the hypotube.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 moving the retractor through an extending segment of the track positioned distal to the parallel segment and extending away from the pull wire so that the retractor moves at least a lateral direction within the extending segment of the track.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 ,
 wherein said retractor is a first retractor in a pair of retractors, the pair of retractors comprising the first retractor and a second retractor, and   wherein moving the retractor in the proximal direction through the parallel segment of the track further comprises simultaneously moving the first and second retractors in the proximal direction.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein subsequently moving the retractor in the distal direction through the parallel segment further comprises allowing the retractor to be moved in the distal direction by a spring force. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprises:
 engaging the engagement surface to the pull wire and further extending the pull wire into the receptacle such that the engagement surface is the sole portion of the retractor engaging the pull wire and the engagement bump is the sole portion of the pull wire engaged by the engagement surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 maintaining a space between the retractor and the circumference of the pull wire while moving the retractor through a full range of motion within the track.