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AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorsJason R. Sullivan, John Keller, Matthew S. Ketterer, Kristian J. DiMatteo, Michael J. Bettuchi, Ellen Golds
Estimating the term…
A stent delivery system deploys a stent having an inner periphery that defines an interior space extending lengthwise along at least a part of the stent and comprising at least one segment having relatively low column strength. The stent delivery system comprises a stabilizer which is disposed within the stent interior space and has a surface element adapted to engage the stent inner periphery in a region containing the low-column-strength segment. The surface element may comprise a sleeve or a coating having a high friction surface adapted to transmit adequate shear force to the stent to move the stent relative to the outer sheath upon deployment. Alternatively, or in addition, the surface element can include at least one radial protuberance. The protuberances may comprise rings of various cross-sections, axial lengths, or space sizes therebetween, or may be in the form of discrete barbs, bumps, or inflatable knobs arranged in a ringed configuration or helical pattern about the stabilizer. The stabilizer may also comprise an inner core and a heat-moldable compression sleeve surrounding the inner core, the heat-moldable compression sleeve having an outer surface comprising a plurality of protuberances defined by a thermal imprint of the stent inner periphery on the compression sleeve outer surface. A method for delivering a stent using a stent delivery system as described herein is also disclosed, as is a method for loading a stent and stabilizer having a heat-moldable compression sleeve into a stent delivery system.
A stent delivery system for providing support to a stent upon movement of the stent relative to a sheath, said stent delivery system comprising:
A stent delivery system for providing support to a stent upon movement of the stent relative to a sheath, said stent delivery system comprising:
A stabilizer for providing support to a stent upon movement of the stent relative to a sheath, wherein the stent has an inner periphery defining an interior space and at least one low-column-strength segment, the stabilizer adapted to be disposed within the stent interior space and having means for engaging the stent inner periphery in a manner that enables transmission of longitudinal force to the low-column-strength segment without causing collapse thereof.
A method of delivering a stent comprising an inner periphery defining an interior space extending lengthwise along at least a part of the stent and comprising at least one segment having a relatively low column strength, the method comprising the steps of:
A method of providing a stabilizer adapted to facilitate deployment of a stent from a stent delivery system, the stabilizer having a heat-moldable portion, the stent having an inner periphery defining an interior space extending lengthwise along at least a part of said stent and having a radially compressed configuration for introduction into the body and an expanded configuration for deployment within the body, the stent delivery system comprising the heat-moldable portion of the stabilizer mounted within the interior space of the compressed stent and an outer sheath overlying the compressed stent, the method comprising heating the stent delivery system to thermally imprint the heat-moldable portion with an uneven topography conforming to the stent inner periphery.
A method of providing a stabilizer adapted to facilitate deployment of a stent from a stent delivery system, the stent having an inner periphery defining an interior space extending lengthwise along at least a part of said stent and having a radially compressed configuration for introduction into the body and an expanded configuration for deployment within the body, the stent delivery system comprising an inner core of the stabilizer axially disposed within the interior space of the compressed stent and an outer sheath overlying the compressed stent, the method comprising injecting a thermoplastic material around the inner core to fill the interior space and create a sleeve over the inner core, the sleeve having an uneven topography conforming to the stent inner periphery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.