Patent ID: 8062325

Claim:
A detachment system for delivering an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel, comprising: a generally hollow tubular carrier member having a distal end, wherein a compressible portion of said distal end is a spiral-cut portion of the carrier member itself and is axially adjustable between a compressed condition and an elongated condition; an engagement member associated with the distal end of the carrier member, wherein said engagement member has an up-turned condition at the distal end portion thereof, in which condition the engagement member has an up-turned distal end portion; a pusher portion of the carrier member positioned adjacent to and distally of the compressible portion, wherein said pusher portion is modified from a right cylindrical shape to accommodate a proximal end portion of the implantable medical device; an elongated locking member received within the carrier member and axially movable with respect to the engagement member and with respect to the tubular carrier member; said engagement member distal end portion thereof has an opening, and at least a portion of the elongated locking member is receivable by the up-turned engagement member opening, wherein an engagement space is defined by and partially bounded by said up-turned engagement member distal end portion and said locking member, which engagement space is adapted to engage an implantable medical device when the compressible portion of the tubular carrier member is in the compressed condition; and wherein the engagement member is substantially unexposed when said compressible portion of the distal end is in the elongated condition, and wherein at least a portion of the engagement member is exposed when said compressible portion is in the compressed condition.