Stent delivery catheter with bumpers for improved retention of balloon expandable stents

• US 20010044630A1
• Filed: 06/07/2001
• Published: 11/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Denise Ching, Richard S. Stack
• Original Assignee: Denise Ching, Richard S. Stack
• Inventors: Stack, Richard S., Ching, Denise
• Granted Patent: US 6,468,299 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts

Abstract

An improved balloon catheter which includes bumpers located adjacent to the proximal and distal ends of the catheter balloon. The bumpers form a recessed pocket into which a stent crimped onto the catheter balloon is mounted. The recessed pocket formed by the bumpers securely retains the stent on the balloon and minimizes undesired contact between the stent and arterial walls and lesions during advancement of the stent within a patient'"'"'s vasculature.

Claims

1. A catheter for the delivery of a stent comprising:

an elongated catheter shaft having proximal and distal ends, with an inflation lumen extending therebetween;

an expandable member located proximal to the distal end of the catheter shaft, which is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen; and

a first bumper and a second bumper positioned adjacent to the proximal and distal ends of the expandable member respectively, the bumpers being secured to the catheter shaft, wherein the area between the first and second bumpers form a pocket for receipt of a stent.

2. The delivery catheter of

claim 1

, wherein the bumpers are integrally formed with the catheter shaft.

3. The delivery catheter of

claim 1

, wherein the bumpers are discrete components which are mechanically secured to the catheter shaft.

4. The delivery catheter of

claim 3

, wherein the bumpers are made from a soft, pliable material.

5. The delivery catheter of

claim 4

, wherein the material used to form the bumpers is polyamide.

6. The delivery catheter of

claim 4

, wherein the material used to form the bumpers is polyurethane.

7. The delivery catheter of

claim 1

, wherein the respective first and second bumpers have an outside diameter which is greater than the outside diameter of a stent crimped over the inflatable member.

8. The delivery catheter of

claim 1

, wherein the stent bumpers are cylindrical.

9. The delivery catheter of

claim 1

, wherein the inflatable member is a dilatation balloon.

10. The delivery catheter of

claim 1

, wherein the respective first and second bumpers are made from an elastomeric material.

11. The delivery catheter of

claim 10

, wherein the elastomeric material is polyurethane.

12. The delivery catheter of

claim 10

, wherein the elastomeric material is polyamide.