Claims
- 1. An implantable medical device assembly for engaging a body space wall in a mammalian body, comprising:a.) an elongate implantable member having two opposite ends, and wherein said member forms a first shape having a longitudinal axis and a first outer diameter on a radial aspect of said longitudinal axis when radially artificially constrained for percutaneous delivery into a body space having a body space wall, and a second shape about said longitudinal axis upon release from said radial constraint, said second shape having a second outer diameter larger than said first outer diameter and sufficient to engage the body space wall, and forming a lumen along said longitudinal axis with a lumen diameter sufficient to allow fluid flow through said implantable member wherein said implantable member has predetermined, distensible, semi-impenetrable spaces when in the second shape; and b.) an elongate pusher extending from one of said opposite ends and being attached to said implantable member via an electrolytically severable joint.
- 2. The implantable medical device assembly of claim 1, further comprisinga delivery catheter having a proximal end with a proximal delivery port, an opposite distal end with a distal delivery port, and a delivery lumen extending between said delivery ports and having a delivery lumen inner diameter less than said second outer diameter, wherein said elongate implantable member is slideably disposable under radial constraint within said delivery lumen.
- 3. The implantable medical device assembly of claim 1, wherein said implantable member comprises at least one wire wound into a primary helix and having a secondary geometry imparted thereto.
- 4. The implantable medical device assembly of claim 1, further comprisinga power source electrically coupled to said electrolytically severable joint; and an electrode electrically coupled to said power source; wherein a circuit may be formed when said electrode and electrolytically severable joint are both in contact with a patient.
- 5. The implantable medical device assembly of claim 4, wherein said power source comprises a direct current source.
- 6. The implantable medical device assembly of claim 5, wherein said power source comprises an alternating current source.
- 7. The implantable medical device assembly of claim 6, wherein said power source produces a signal comprising an alternating current signal superimposed over a direct current signal, said assembly further comprising a sensing circuit for monitoring changes in said alternating current signal indicative of progression of electrolytic detachment of said implantable member from said pusher at said electrolytically severable joint.
- 8. The implantable medical device assembly of claim 3, wherein said primary helix forms a primary helix lumen, said implantable member further comprising an elongate core member coaxially disposed within said primary helix lumen.
- 9. The implantable medical device assembly of claim 8, wherein said elongate core member is a metal.
- 10. The implantable medical device assembly of claim 9, wherein said metal is a super-elastic alloy.
- 11. The implantable medical device assembly of claim 10, wherein said super-elastic alloy comprises nickel and titanium.
- 12. An implantable medical device assembly for engaging a body space wall in a mammalian body, comprising:a.) an elongate implantable member having two opposite ends, and wherein said member forms a first shape having a longitudinal axis and a first outer diameter on a radial aspect of said longitudinal axis when radially artificially constrained for percutaneous delivery into a body space having a body space wall, and a second shape about said longitudinal axis upon release from said radial constraint, said second shape having a second outer diameter larger than said first outer diameter and sufficient to engage the body space wall, and forming a lumen along said longitudinal axis with a lumen diameter sufficient to allow fluid flow through said implantable member; and b.) an elongate pusher extending from one of said opposite ends and being attached to said implantable member via an electrolytically severable joint.
- 13. The implantable medical device assembly of claim 1 wherein said elongate implantable member having two opposite ends further comprises a center section having a center section diameter smaller than said body lumen and said second outer diameter.
- 14. The implantable medical device assembly of claim 13 wherein said elongate implantable member is movable subsequent to said delivery.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/690,183 filed Jul. 26, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,514.
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Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
08/690183 |
Jul 1996 |
US |
Child |
09/298357 |
|
US |