Delivery system
First Claim
1. A stent delivery system comprising a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a self expanding stent device having a compressed state and an expanded state and being positioned along the catheter and close to the distal end thereof, a capsule enclosing the self expanding stent device in its compressed state along substantially the whole length thereof, said capsule having an open distal end and a proximal end fixed to the catheter and further having at least one perforation extending longitudinally of said capsule from the distal end substantially to the proximal end thereof, and a balloon positioned within the capsule so as to break the capsule along said at least one perforation, whereby the stent device may expand to its expanded state and the catheter with the broken capsule may be withdrawn.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A stent delivery system comprises a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, and a self expanding stent device having a compressed state and an expanded state and being positioned along the catheter and close to the distal end thereof. The stent delivery system further comprises a capsule enclosing the self-expanding stent device in its compressed state along substantially the whole length thereof. The capsule has an open distal end and a proximal end fixed to the catheter. Further, the capsule has at least one perforation extending longitudinally of said capsule from the distal end substantially to the proximal end thereof. The stent delivery system also comprises a balloon positioned within the capsule so as to break the capsule along said at least one perforation when inflated, whereby the stent device may expand to its expanded state, Thereafter the catheter with the broken capsule may be withdrawn from a duct in which the catheter has been introduced to a desired position.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A stent delivery system comprising
a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a self expanding stent device having a compressed state and an expanded state and being positioned along the catheter and close to the distal end thereof, a capsule enclosing the self expanding stent device in its compressed state along substantially the whole length thereof, said capsule having an open distal end and a proximal end fixed to the catheter and further having at least one perforation extending longitudinally of said capsule from the distal end substantially to the proximal end thereof, and a balloon positioned within the capsule so as to break the capsule along said at least one perforation, whereby the stent device may expand to its expanded state and the catheter with the broken capsule may be withdrawn.
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12. A stent delivery capsule device for introduction into a vessel by means of a catheter and comprising
a substantially cylindrical capsule having an open distal end and a closed proximal end, a self expanding stent device and a balloon, both positioned within the capsule and extending substantially along the length thereof, said capsule having at least one axially extending perforation that will break when the balloon is inflated, whereby the self-expanding stent device may expand to an expanded state and the capsule and the balloon may be withdrawn by means of the catheter.
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15. A method of inserting a self expandable stent device into an anatomical duct, comprising the steps of
i) providing a stent delivery system which comprises: -
a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a self expanding stent device having a compressed state and an expanded state and being positioned along the catheter and close to the distal end thereof, a capsule enclosing the self expanding stent device in its compressed state along substantially the whole length thereof, said capsule having an open distal end and a proximal end fixed to the catheter and further having at least one perforation extending longitudinally of said capsule from the distal end substantially to the proximal end thereof, and a balloon positioned within the capsule and capable of breaking the capsule along said at least one perforation when expanded;
ii) inserting the catheter to which the capsule is fixed, into said anatomical duct and to a desired position therein;
iii) inflating the balloon such that the capsule is ruptured and the stent device is expanded to its expanded state engaging an inner surface of the duct; and
iv) withdrawing the catheter and the capsule fixed thereto from said desired position in the duct, whereby the stent device is deployed at the desired position in the duct.
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Specification