Implant loading device and system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9872755-B2
Application number	US-201514938216-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 11, 2015
Priority date	Nov 19, 2004
Publication date	Jan 23, 2018
Grant date	Jan 23, 2018

Abstract

Devices, methods, and systems are provided for loading an implantable device into a container. One aspect of the loading system contains a loader element with a loading tunnel that is configured to gradually contract an implantable device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable device travels through the loading tunnel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for loading an implantable pulmonary device into a container, comprising:
a loading element comprising a funnel-shaped loading tunnel configured to gradually contract an implantable pulmonary device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable pulmonary device travels through the funnel-shaped loading tunnel; and
a puller element that is removably attached to the implantable pulmonary device, wherein the puller element pulls the implantable pulmonary device through the funnel-shaped loading tunnel;
wherein the puller element automatically releases the implantable pulmonary device after the implantable pulmonary device contracts into the compressed state.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plunger element, wherein the plunger element comprises an elongated portion that is configured to push the implantable pulmonary device through the funnel-shaped loading tunnel.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the plunger element is configured to push the implantable pulmonary device into a delivery catheter.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the funnel-shaped loading tunnel further defines an internal transfer cavity that communicates with the funnel-shaped loading cavity, the transfer cavity sized to receive the implantable device from the funnel-shaped loading cavity and retain the implantable pulmonary device in the compressed state.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the funnel-shaped loading tunnel further defines a container cavity that communicates with the transfer cavity, the container cavity sized to receive a container that receives the implantable pulmonary device in the compressed state.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the container is a delivery catheter that is configured to deliver the implantable pulmonary device to a lung region.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a tension element that is configured to communicate a force to the funnel-shaped loading tunnel.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a container locking element that is configured to secure and align the container with the loading element.

Assignees

• Pulmonx Corp

Inventors

• Olivera Ryan
• Nguyen Hoang

Classifications

• A61F2/9522

  Means for mounting a stent or stent-graft onto or into a placement instrument · CPC title

• A61F2/0095 Primary

  Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants (for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02) · CPC title

• A61F2/04

  Hollow or tubular parts of organs, e.g. bladders, tracheae, bronchi or bile ducts (A61F2/18, A61F2/20 take precedence; instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts A61F2/95) · CPC title

• A61B2017/0053

  Loading magazines or sutures into applying tools · CPC title

• A61B17/12172

  having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape (methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526) · CPC title