Flexible hoop and link sheath for a stent delivery system
AssigneeAdvanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
InventorVivianne M. Holt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A delivery sheath including a series of longitudinally spaced apart retainer rings interconnected by flexible links. This configuration provides for sections of reduced cross-sectional area along the length of the sheath, thus increasing flexibility in those sections and in the overall sheath. The reduction of the cross-sectional area of the sheath also effectively reduces the area of contact between the inside surface of the sheath and the outside surface of the compressed stent. This reduction in contact area serves to reduce the frictional force generated as the sheath is retracted relative to the stent during deployment.
Claims25
A flexible stent delivery system, comprising:
- an elongated flexible inner member having a stent mounting region for receiving a stent in a delivery configuration;
- a deployment sheath including a plurality of retainer rings spaced longitudinally apart with flexible links connecting the rings together, the deployment sheath being coaxially disposed over the stent mounting region to form an annular space for mounting the stent in the delivery configuration;
- and
- means for moving the deployment sheath longitudinally along the inner member.
A flexible sheath for use in conjunction with a stent delivery apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart retainer rings;
- and flexible links connecting the retainer rings together;
- the sheath slidably movable in a longitudinal direction about a stent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.