WO2007070788A2

WO2007070788A2 - Rotational detachment mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2007070788A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/061916
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kirk L. Johnson; Juan A. Lorenzo; Robert Lulo
Original assignee: Cordis Development Corporation
Priority date: 2005-12-13
Filing date: 2006-12-12
Publication date: 2007-06-21
Also published as: WO2007070788A3

Abstract

A handle for use with an implantable medical device deployment system that guides and deploys the medical device at a target location within a body vessel. The handle includes a rotatable member wherein rotation thereof causes movement of a control member of the deployment system in an axial direction.

Description

PATENT

Case 0805-0372.01 (CRD5229WOPCT)

ROTATIONAL DETACHMENT MECHANISM

Description

[001] This application claims the benefit of U, S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/749,784, filed December 13, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

1002] This invention generally relates handles having rotational detachment mechanisms for use with medical device deployment systems that deploy implantable medical devices at target locations within a human body vessel, and methods of using the same.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[003] The use of catheter delivery systems for positioning and deploying therapeutic devices, such as dilation balloons, stents and embolic coils, in the vasculature of the human body has become a standard procedure for treating endovascular diseases. It has been found that such devices are particularly useful in treating areas where traditional operational procedures are impossible or pose a great risk to the patient, for example in the treatment of aneurysms in cranial blood vessels. Due to the delicate tissue surrounding cranial blood vessels, especially for example brain tissue, it is very difficult and often risky to perform surgical procedures to treat defects of the cranial blood vessels. Advancements in catheter deployment systems have provided an alternative treatment in such cases. Some of the advantages of catheter delivery systems are that they provide methods for treating blood vessels by an approach that has been found to reduce the risk of trauma to the surrounding tissue, and they also allow for treatment of blood vessels that in the past would have been considered inoperable.

[004.1 Typically,, these procedures involve inserting the distal end of a delivery catheter into the vasculature of a patient and guiding it through the vasculature to a predetermined delivery site. An implantable medical device, such as an embolic coil or vascular stent, is attached to the end of a delivery member which pushes the medical device through the catheter and out of the distal end of the catheter into the delivery site. Some of the delivery systems associated with these procedures utilize a control wire, sometimes referred to as a pull wire, to activate the release and deployment of the medical device. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,250,071 to Palermo, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, describes a detachment system whereby interlocking clasps of the system and the coil are held together by a control wire. The control wire is moved proximally to disengage the clasps from each other .

[005] Additionally, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/461,245, filed July 31, 2006, to Mitelburg, et al., which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for its disclosure of a distal-portion detachment mechanism with which the present invention can be utilized, describes a detachment system wherein a control wire engages a hook or an eyelet to attach a medical device to the deployment system. The control wire is moved in a proximal direction to disengage it from the hook and release the medical device. [006] There remains a need for mechanisms or methods that can be used by the medical professional to manipulate the control wire to provide for a quick and timely deployment of the implantable medical device at a target location within a body vessel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[007] In accordance with one embodiment or aspect of the present invention, a handle is provided for use with an implantable medical device deployment system including a control member whose movement initiates the release of an implantable medical device from the deployment system. The handle comprises a handle body adapted to be connected to the deployment system. The handle body has a cavity having a rotatable member that is located within the cavity and rotates relative to the handle body. The rotatable member includes an internal threaded surface defining a lumen wherein the internal threaded surface can be threadably connected to the control member and the lumen can receive the control member therein. The rotatable member is rotated to cause the control member to move axially and release the implantable medical device.

[008] In accordance with another embodiment or aspect of the present invention, a handle is provided for use with an implantable medical device deployment system including a control member whose movement initiates the release of an implantable medical device from the deployment system. The handle comprises a rotatable member that can be rotationally coupled to the deployment system. The rotatable member includes an internally threaded surface defining a lumen. The handle also includes a handle body that has a threaded portion located within the lumen of the rotatable member and threadably engaged with the internal threaded surface of the rotatable member so that relative rotational movement between the rotatable member and the handle body causes the handle body to move in an axial direction relative to the carrier member, The handle body can be operatively connected to the control member so that the control member moves in an axial direction with the handle body to release the medical device.

[009] In accordance with yet another embodiment or aspect of the present invention, a deployment system is provided for delivering an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel. The deployment system comprises a generally elongated carrier member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion,, and an implantable medical device releasably attached to the distal end portion of the carrier member. The deployment system also includes a control member whose movement causes the release of the implantable medical device from the distal end portion of the carrier member. Additionally,- the deployment system includes a handle having a handle body connected to the distal end portion of the carrier member. The handle body has a cavity in which a rotatable member is located. The rotatable member is rotatable relative to the handle body. Furthermore, the rotatable member includes an internal threaded surface defining a lumen having a proximal end portion of the control member located therein and threadably engaged with the internal threaded surface of rotatable member. The rotatable member is rotated to cause the control member to move axially to release the implantable medical device.

[0010] In accordance with a further embodiment or aspect of the present invention, a deployment system is provided for delivering an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel. The deployment system comprises a generally elongated carrier member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and an implantable medical device releasably attached to the distal end portion of the carrier member. The deployment system also includes a control member whose movement causes the release of the implantable medical device from the distal end portion of the carrier member. Additionally, the deployment system also includes a handle that has a rotatable member and a handle body. The rotatable member is rotationally coupled to the distal end portion of the carrier member and includes an internal threaded surface defining a lumen. The handle body has a threaded portion located within the lumen, of the rotatable member and threadably engaged with the internal threaded surface of the rotatable member. The handle body is operatively connected to the control member so that the control member moves with the handle body. Either the rotatable member or the handle body can be rotated to cause the handle body to move in an axial direction relative to the carrier member_τ thereby causing movement of the control member to release the medical device.

[OQII] In accordance with another embodiment or aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for deploying an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel. The method comprises providing a deployment system that has a generally elongated carrier member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and an implantable medical device releasably secured to the distal end portion of the carrier member. The deployment system also has a control member whose movement causes the release of the implantable medical device from the distal end portion of the carrier member. Additionally, the deployment system also has a handle that has a handle body connected to the distal end portion of the carrier member. The handle body includes a cavity having a rotatable member located within the cavity. The rotatable member includes an internal threaded surface defining a lumen having a proximal end portion of the control member located within the lumen and threadably engaged with the internal threaded surface of rotatable member. Rotation of rotatable member causes the control member to move axially. The method further includes positioning the implantable medical device generally adjacent to a target location with a body vessel, and rotating the rotatable member to cause the control member to move axially, thereby releasing the medical device.

[0012] In accordance with yet another embodiment or aspect of the present invention, a method of deploying an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel is provided. The method comprises providing a deployment system that has a generally elongated carrier member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and an implantable medical device releasably secured to the distal end portion of the carrier member. The deployment also includes a control member whose movement causes the release of the implantable medical device from the distal end portion of the carrier member. Additionally, the deployment system includes a handle that has a rotatable member and a handle body. The rotatable member is rotationally coupled to the distal end portion of the carrier member and includes an internal threaded surface defining a lumen. The handle body includes a threaded portion located within the lumen of the rotatable member and threadably engaged with the internal threaded surface of the rotatable member so relative rotation between the handle body and the rotatable member moves handle body in an axial direction. The handle body is operatively connected to the control member so that the control member moves with the handle body. The method further including positioning the implantable medical device generally adjacent to a target location with a body vessel, and rotating the handle body or rotatable member to cause the control member to move axially, thereby releasing the medical device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a medical device deployment system utilizing one embodiment of a handle in accordance with the present invention;

[0014] Fig, 2 is a front perspective view of a distal end portion of the carrier member of Fig. 1;

[0015] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the deployment system of Fig. 1, shown after the medical device has been deployed;

[0016] Fig. 4 is a top view of the handle shown in Fig. 1;

[0017] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a medical device deployment system utilizing another embodiment of a handle in accordance with the present invention; and

[0018] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the deployment system of Fig, 5 shown after the medical device has been deployed,

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore,, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate manner.

[0020] Figs. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate an implantable medical device deployment system, generally designated at 10, utilizing one embodiment of a distal end portion deployment system suitable for use with a handle in accordance with the present invention, generally designated at 12, The illustrated deployment system 10 is generally similar to the deployment system disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/461,245, filed July 31, 2006, to Mitelburg et al., which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. However, it will be understood that the handle of the present invention can be used in conjunction with various types of deployment systems having various configurations, features and attachment and release mechanisms, such as the deployment system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,250,071, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0021] The deployment system 10 is comprised of a generally hollow elongated carrier member or pusher 14 having a distal end portion 16 and a proximal end portion 18, Preferably, the carrier member 14 is a hypotube that may be comprised of a biocompatible material, such as stainless steel. The hypotube typically will have a diameter of between about 0.010 inch (0.254 mm) and about 0.015 inch (0.381 mm), a preferred tube having a diameter of approximately 0.013 inch (0.330 mm). Such a carrier member 14 is suitable for delivering and deploying implantable medical devices, such as embolic coils, vascular stents or the like, to target locations, typically aneurysms, within the neurovasculature, but differently sized carrier members comprised of other materials may be useful for different applications .

[0022] An engagement member 20 is associated with the distal end portion 16 of the carrier member 14. The engagement member 20 can comprise a distal end length of an elongated wire loosely bent in half to define an opening 22 (Fig. 2) . The proximal end or ends 24 of the engagement member 20 can be fixedly connected to the carrier member 14 at a location proximal to the distal end portion 16.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the engagement member 20 can comprise a flat ribbon defining the opening 22 at a distal portion thereof. In either embodiment, the engagement member 20 typically is deformable to the up-turned condition illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Additionally, the engagement member 20 can be elastically deformable to the up-turned condition of Figs. 1 and 2, such that it will return to a substantially flat condition, illustrated in Fig. 3 when not otherwise constrained, as will be explained in more detail below. When not elastically deformable, the engagement member up-turned condition is generally straightened by contact with another component that "unbends" this member. The engagement member 20 may be comprised of any of a number of materials, including nitinol and stainless steel. The function of the engagement member 20 will be described in greater detail herein.

[0024] The deployment system 10 further includes a control member 26, such as a control wire or pullwire, received within the lumen 28 of the carrier member 14 and movable with respect to the engagement member 20. The control member 26 stretches beyond the proximal end portion 18 of the carrier member 14 and is operatively connected to the handle 12. The control member 26 may be a wire comprised of any of a number of materials, including nitinol. The function of the control member 26 will be described in greater detail herein.

[0025] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, an implantable medical device 30, such as the illustrated embolic coil, is releasably attached to the distal end portion 16 of the carrier member 14 by the engagement member 20, However, it will be appreciated that virtually any implantable medical device may be delivered and deployed by the deployment system► [0026] To connect the implantable medical device 30 to the distal end portion 16 of the carrier member 14, an aperture- containing proximal end portion 32 of the implantable medical device 30 is placed adjacent to opening 22 of the engagement member 20, which is then deformed to the up-turned condition of Figs, 1 and 2. Alternatively, the opening 22 may be moved to the up-turned condition prior to placement of the implantable medical device 30. In the up-turned condition, at least a portion of the opening 22 passes through the aperture of the proximal end portion 32.

[0027] As described herein, the engagement member 20 can be elastically deformable to the up-turned condition of Figs. 1 and 2 so it will tend to return to a substantially flat condition as illustrated in Fig. 3, In order to prevent this, and to consequently lock the implantable medical device 30 to the engagement member 20, the distal end portion 33 of the control member 26 is moved axially through the opening 22 to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, In this connected condition, the control member 26 holds the engagement member 20 in the upturned condition, and the engagement member 20 releasably secures the proximal end portion 32 of the implantable medical device 30 to the distal end portion 16 of the carrier member 14. [0028] The handle 12 can include a handle body 34 having a proximal end portion 36 and a distal end portion 38 wherein the distal end portion 38 is connected to the proximal end portion 18 of the carrier member 14. The handle body 34 can be comprised of a proximal wall 40 and a circumferential wall 42 that define a cavity 44. The cavity 44 communicates with the lumen 28 of the carrier member 14 and accepts a proximal end portion 46 of the control member 26. The circumferential wall 42 can be a continuous arcuate wall which forms a handle body having a generally circular cross-section, such as a generally cylindrically shaped handle body, or the circumferential wall could be comprises of a series of panels or sub-walls which form a handle having a rectangular cross-section. [0029] A rotatable member 48, such as the illustrated generally cylindrical rotational sleeve, is located within a portion of the cavity 44 that is configured to house the rotatable member and allow the rotatable member to rotate relative to the handle body 34, the carrier member 14 and the control member 26. Preferably, the rotatable member 48 can rotate in the direction of "A" or the direction of "B" (Fig. 1), as desired or as required by the application of use. [0030] The rotatable member 48 includes an internal threaded surface 50 (perhaps best shown in Fig. 3) which defines a lumen 52 that accepts the proximal end portion 46 of the control member 26. The proximal end portion 46 of the control member 26 is threaded to correspond to and threadably engage the internal threaded surface 50 of the rotatable member 48. The threading on the proximal end portion 46 of the control member 12 can be any suitable threading, such as a grooved surface or a twisted shape of the proximal end 46 of the control member 26. t0031] As the rotatable member 48 is rotated relative to the control member 26, the threaded engagement between the internal surface 50 of the rotatable member 48 and the proximal end portion 46 of the control member 26 causes the control member to move in a proximal or distal direction depending on the direction of rotational movement of the rotatable member 48. If the rotatable member 48 is rotated such that the control member 26 moves in a proximal direction, the cavity 44 of the handle can include a through port 54 at a location that is proximal the rotatable member. The through port 54 accepts the proximal end portion 46 of the control member 26 as the control member is moved proximally out of the proximal end of the rotatable member 48. To prevent over-threading of the control member 26 or to limit the amount of axial movement of the control member 26 in either the proximal or distal direction, the control member 26 can include stops 56a, 56b that contact the rotatable member 48 and prevent further movement of the control member 26 in a particular direction. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 3, when the stop 56b contacts the rotatable member 48, the stop 56b prevents any further movement of the control member 26 in the proximal direction. The locations of the stops 56a and 56b can be varied along the control member 26 and can be placed at preselected locations prior to use so that the control member only moves a pre-determined distance in the axial direction. [0032] The handle body 34 and rotatable member 48 are preferably configured so that the rotatable member 48 can be rotated by hand, but both may also be configured to be rotated by instrument. Referring to Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the circumferential wall 42 of the handle body 34 can include an aperture or window 58 that extends through the wall 42 to allow access to the rotatable member 48 so that the rotatable member can be rotated. Additionally, referring to referring to Fig. 4, the rotatable member 48 preferably includes an outer surface 60 that is textured or knarled to provide a gripping surface that may be gripped by a finger of a user to rotate the rotatable member 48.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the medical device 30 can be attached to the deployment system 10 as described above and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. When the handle 12 is utilized with this type of deployment system to effectuate the release of the medical device from the deployment system, referring to Fig. 3, a user can access the rotatable member 48 through window 58 to cause rotation of the rotatable member relative to the control member 26. The threaded engagement between the internal surface 50 and the proximal end portion 46 of the control member 26 causes the control member to move proximally relative to the engagement member 20. In the illustrated detachment system for the medical device that is shown in the drawings, this proximal movement proceeds so that the distal end portion 33 of the control member 26 moves out of the opening 22 of the engagement member 20, Once the distal end portion 33 of the control member 26 is moved out of opening 22 of the engagement member 20, the engagement member is free to allow release of the medical device 30. Fig. 3 shows the engagement member 20 returned to its flat configuration, thereby releasing the medical device 30. This return can be due to a bias in the engagement member 20 or by a straightening-type of engagement with the medical device 30 as it separates from the detachment device.

[0034] According to one method of delivering the medical device 30, a tubular catheter (not shown) is fed into a body vessel until a distal end thereof is adjacent to a target location. Thereafter, the deployment system 10 and associated implantable medical device 30 are advanced through the catheter, using procedures and techniques known in the art, until the device 30 is itself generally adjacent to the target location. Alternatively, the deployment system 10 and associated device 30 may be pre-loaded in the catheter, with the combination being fed through a body vessel to a target location. Other methods of positioning the implantable medical device 30 generally adjacent to a target location may also be practiced without departing from the scope of the present invention, [0035] To more accurately position the engaged device 30, radiopaque markers (not illustrated) may be attached to the carrier member 14 or the device 30 itself. [0036,1 When the engaged device 30 has been properly positioned and oriented, the rotatable member 48 is rotated, preferably by hand through window 58 in wall 42 of the handle body, relative to the control member 26. Referring to Fig. 3, as the rotatable member 48 is rotated, the threaded engagement between the internal surface 50 of the rotatable member 48 and the proximal end portion 46 of the control member 26 causes the control member 26 to move in a proximal direction and out of engagement with the engagement member 20- The engagement member 20 is allowed to return to its original substantially flat condition or is moved to a release condition by engagement with another component of the system, thereby disengaging the aperture-containing end portion 32 of the implantable medical device 30 and deploying the medical device 30. The control member 26 may be provided with a radiopaque portion to provide visual feedback to indicate when the device 30 has been released.

[0037] When the implantable medical device 30 is disengaged from the engagement member 20, the deployment system 10 may be removed from the patient alone or in conjunction with the catheter.

[0038] Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a handle in accordance with present invention. In this embodiment, the deployment system 10a includes a handle 12a which includes a handle body 62 and a rotatable member 64. The rotatable member 64 is rotatably coupled to the proximal end portion 18a of the carrier member 14a so that the rotatable member is rotatable relative to the carrier member 14a and the handle body 62, as will be explained in more detail herein. The rotatable member 64 can be rotatably coupled to the proximal end portion 18a of the carrier member 14a by any suitable rotatable coupling configuration; for example, one suitable rotational coupling is a rotatable coupling similar to the rotatable couplings used in rotatable hemostatic valves, which are well known in the art.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable member 64 includes an internal threaded surface 66 which defines a lumen 68. The proximal end portion 18a of the carrier member 14a is located within the lumen 68 _r and a rim 70 extending radially form the proximal end portion 18a of the carrier member 14a is located within a groove 72 of the rotatable member 64 to mechanically and rotatably connect the rotatable member 64 to the carrier member 14a.

[0040] The handle body 62 includes a threaded portion 74 and^' a gripping portion 76 extending from the threaded portion 74. The threaded portion 74 is located within the lumen 68 of the rotatable member 64 and includes a threaded surface 78 corresponding to and engaging the threaded internal surface 66 of the rotatable member 64. The threaded engagement between the threaded portion 74 of the handle body 62 and the internal threaded surface 66 of the rotatable member 64 can be any suitable threaded engagement. In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded surface 78 of the threaded portion 74 includes a grooved thread 80, and the threaded surface 66 of the rotatable member 64 includes at least one projection 82 that follows along the groove 80 as the hand body 62 and rotatable member 64 are rotated relative to one another.

[0041] When the handle body 62 and the rotatable member 64 are rotated relative to one another, the threaded engagement between the handle body 62 and the rotatable member 64 causes the handle body 62 to move axially in a proximal or distal direction depending on the direction of relative rotation and the desired use. The proximal end 46a of the control member 26a is operatively connected to the handle body 62 so that the control member 26a moves proximally and distally with the handle body 62.

[0042] The handle body 62 and rotatable member 64 can be rotated relative to one another by a variety of methods. For example, the gripping portion 76 of the handle body 62 can be grasped to hold the handle body 62 in a rotationally stationary position, and the rotatable member 64 can be rotated relative to the handle body 62. In another method, the rotatable member 6A can be held in a rotationally stationary position, and the handle body 62 can be rotated relative to the rotatable member 64. Further, the rotatable member 64 could be rotated in one direction and the handle body 62 could be rotated in the other direction.

[0043] As illustrated in Fig. 6, when the handle body 62 is rotated relative to the rotatable member 64, by any of the methods discussed above, the handle body 62 moves proximally or distally relative to the carrier member 14a. In the illustrated embodiment of the a deployment system, movement of the handle body 62 in the proximal direction causes the control member 26a, which is attached to the handle body, to also move in the proximal direction so that the distal end portion 33a of the control member 26a disengages engagement element 20a, thereby releasing medical device 30a in a similar manner as described above .

[0044] It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention which have been described are illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, including those combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein.

Claims

1. A handle for use with an implantable medical device deployment system including a control member whose movement initiates the release of an implantable medical device from the deployment system, the handle comprising: a handle body adapted to be connected to the deployment system, said handle body having a cavity; a rotatable member located within said cavity and rotatable relative to the handle body, said rotatable member including an internal threaded surface defining a lumen, said internal threaded surface being adapted to being threadably connected to the control member and said lumen adapted to receive the control member therein; and wherein rotation of the rotatable member causes the control member to move axially to release the implantable medical device.

2. The handle of claim 1 in which the cavity of the handle body is at least partially defined by a circumferential wall, said circumferential wall including an aperture therethrough that allows access to the rotatable member.

3. The handle of claim 1 in which the control member includes at least one stop to limit the axial movement of the control member.

4. The handle of claim 3 in which the at least one stop is located at a pre-selected location along the control member.

5. The handle of claim 1 in which the rotatable member includes a gripping surface.

6. A handle for use with an implantable medical device deployment system including a control member whose movement initiates the release of an implantable medical device from the deployment system, the handle comprising: a rotatable member adapted to be rotationally coupled to the deployment system, said rotatable member including an internal threaded surface defining a lumen; and a handle body having a threaded portion,, said threaded portion of the handle body located within the lumen of the rotatable member and being threadably engaged with the internal threaded surface of the rotatable member so that relative rotational movement between the rotatable member and the handle body causes the handle body to move in an axial direction relative to the carrier member, the handle body adapted to be operatively connected to the control member so that the control member moves in an axial direction with the handle body, thereby causing the movement of the control member to release the medical device.

7. The handle of claim 6 in which the threaded portion of the handle body includes a grooved thread.

8. The handle of claim 7 in which the internal threaded surface of the rotatable member includes at least one projection that follows along the grooved thread of the threaded portion of the handle body.

9. The handle of claim 6 in which the handle body includes a gripping portion extending from the threaded portion.

10. The handle of claim 6 in which the relative rotational movement between the handle body and the rotatable member causes the handle body to move in a proximal or distal direction relative to the carrier member.

11. A deployment system for delivering an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel, comprising: a generally elongated carrier member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; an implantable medical device releasably attached to the distal end portion of the carrier member; a control member whose movement causes the release of the implantable medical device from the distal end portion of the carrier member; a handle having a handle body connected to the distal end portion of the carrier member, said handle body including a cavity; a rotatable member located within said cavity and rotatable relative to the handle body, said rotatable member including an internal threaded surface defining a lumen; a proximal end portion of the control member located within the lumen of the rotatable member and being threadably engaged with the internal threaded surface of rotatable member; and wherein rotation of the rotatable member causes the control member to move axially to release the implantable medical device.

12. The deployment system of claim 11 in which the cavity of the handle body is at least partially defined by a circumferential wall, said circumferential wall including an aperture therethrough that allows access to the rotatable member.

13. The deployment system of claim 1 in which the control member includes at least one stop to limit the axial movement of the control member-

14. The deployment system of claim 13 in which the at least one stop is located at a pre-selected location along the control member .

15. The deployment system of claim 11 in which the rotatable member includes a gripping surface-

16. The deployment system of claim 11 in which the control member is a wire.

17. The deployment system of claim 11 in which the proximal end portion of the control member is threaded.

18. A deployment system for delivering an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel, comprising: a generally elongated carrier member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; an implantable medical device releasably attached to the distal end portion of the carrier member; a control member whose movement causes the release of the implantable medical device from the distal end portion of the carrier member; a handle having a rotatable member and a handle body, said rotatable member being rotationally coupled to the distal end portion of the carrier member, said rotatable member including an internal threaded surface defining a lumen; the handle body having a threaded portion, said threaded portion of the handle body located within the lumen of the rotatable member and being threadably engaged with the internal threaded surface of the rotatable member, the handle body being operatively connected to the control member so that the control member moves with the handle body; and wherein either the rotatable member or the handle body is rotated to cause the handle body to move in an axial direction relative to the carrier member, thereby causing movement of the control member to release the medical device.

19. The deployment system of claim 18 in which the threaded portion of the handle body includes a grooved thread.

20. The deployment system of claim 19 in which the internal threaded surface of the rotatable member includes at least one projection that follows along the grooved thread of the threaded portion of the handle body,

21. The deployment system of claim 18 in which the handle body includes a gripping portion extending from the threaded portion.

22. The deployment system of claim 18 in which the relative rotational movement between the handle body and the rotatable member causes the handle body to move in a proximal or distal direction relative to the carrier member.

23. The deployment system of claim 18 in which the control member is a wire.

24. A method of deploying an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel, comprising: providing a generally elongated carrier member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, an implantable medical device releasably secured to the distal end portion of the carrier member, a control member whose movement causes the release of the implantable medical device from the distal end portion of the carrier member, a handle having a handle body connected to the distal end portion of the carrier member, said handle body including a cavity having a rotatable member located within said cavity, said rotatable member including an internal threaded surface defining a lumen having a proximal end portion of the control member located within the lumen and threadably engaged with the internal threaded surface of rotatable member, wherein rotation of the rotatable member causes the control member to move axially; positioning the implantable medical device generally adjacent to a target location with a body vessel; and rotating the rotatable member to cause the control member to move axially, thereby releasing the medical device.

25. The method of claim 24 in which the rotating comprises rotating the rotatable member to cause the control member to move in either a proximal or a distal direction.

26. A method of deploying an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel, comprising: providing a generally elongated carrier member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, an implantable medical device releasably secured to the distal end portion of the carrier member, a control member whose movement causes the release of the implantable medical device from the distal end portion of the carrier member, a handle having a rotatable member and a handle body, said rotatable member being rotationally coupled to the distal end portion of the carrier member and including an internal threaded surface defining a lumen, the handle body including a threaded portion located within the lumen of the rotatable member and being threadably engaged with the internal threaded surface of the rotatable member so relative rotation between the handle body and the rotatable member moves handle body in an axial direction, the handle body being operatively connected to the control member so that the control member moves with the handle body; positioning the implantable medical device generally adjacent to a target location with a body vessel; and rotating the handle body or rotatable member to cause the control member to move axially, thereby releasing the medical device.

27. The method of claim 26 in which the rotating comprises rotating the rotatable member while maintaining the handle body in a rotationally stationary position.

28. The method of claim 26 in which the rotating comprises rotating the handle body while maintaining the rotatable member in a rotationally stationary position.