METHOD FOR LOADING A STENT INTO A DELIVERY SYSTEM

• US 20090082840A1
• Filed: 09/24/2007
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Mangin, Stephan, Rusk, Emily E., Clerc, Claude O., Zupkofska, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,393,137 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/844 folded prior to deployment
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/89 the wire-like elements comprising two or more adjacent rings flexibly connected by separate members
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9522 Means for mounting a stent or stent-graft onto or into a placement instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9525 using a funnel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/966 with relative longitudinal movement between outer sleeve and prosthesis, e.g. using a push rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9505 having retaining means other than an outer sleeve, e.g. male-female connector between stent and instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/006 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0091 transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0097 Visible markings, e.g. indicia

Abstract

Methods for assembling a stent delivery system are provided, as well as the stent delivery assemblies and devices formed by such methods. Also provided is a method for loading a stent into a delivery system.

Claims

1. A device for delivering a stent to a patient for implantation comprising:

(i) a first tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;

(ii) a second tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;

(iii) a distensible stent having a proximal end and a distal end; and

(iv) a means for moving the stent;

wherein said stent is disengagedly coupled to the second tubular structure by means of the means for moving the stent.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the second tubular structure is positioned within the first tubular structure.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the stent is positioned within the first tubular structure.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the stent is positioned external to the second tubular structure.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the distal end of said first tubular structure is aligned with the distal end of the second tubular structure.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for moving said stent is dis-engageably attached to the inner tubular structure.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the means for moving said stent is dis-engageably attached to the stent.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for moving the stent is selected from the group consisting of an annular protruberance, a rib, a barb, a flap, a bump, a tacky layer, a divot, and combinations thereof.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the second tubular structure comprises the means for moving the stent.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the first tubular structure comprises a marker.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the marker is selected from the group consisting of ink, thread and combinations thereof.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the marker is radiopaque.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second means for moving the stent.

14. A method for assembling a stent delivery system comprising:

(i) providing

(a) a first tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;

(b) a second tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, a stent-engaging portion, and a lumen extending therethrough; and

(c) a distensible stent having a proximal end and a distal end;

(ii) inserting a portion of said stent into the proximal end of said first tubular structure,

wherein said portion of said stent is in a constrained state relative to a portion of said stent that is not inserted into said first tubular structure; and

(iii) inserting said second tubular structure into the proximal end of said first tubular structure to cause said stent-engaging portion to engage said stent such that relative movement of said second tubular structure causes relative movement of said stent.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said proximal end of said first tubular structure comprises a handle.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said handle is funnel-shaped to assist insertion of said stent.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said stent deforms to the shape of said handle when inserted through said handle.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said first tubular structure comprises a visual marker for observing the position of said inserted stent.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said stent does not extend beyond said visual marker prior to engagement with said second tubular structure.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said distal end of said stent is aligned with said visual marker upon partial insertion of said stent into said first tubular structure.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein said movement of said second tubular structure towards said distal end of said first tubular structure causes concomitant movement of said stent towards said distal end of said second tubular structure.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein said stent is fully constrained within said first tubular structure when the distal end of said second tubular structure is aligned with the distal end of said first tubular structure.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein a tip component is attached to the distal end of said second tubular structure.

24. The method of claim 14, wherein the second tubular structure includes at least a proximal diameter portion which is larger than a distal diameter portion.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the distal diameter portion engages the stent to advance the stent forward toward the distal end of the stent delivery system.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein said second tubular structure further comprises a second stent-engaging portion.

27. The stent delivery assembly formed by the method of claim 14.

28. A stent delivery assembly comprising:

(i) a first tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and lumen extending therethrough;

(ii) a second tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, a stent-engaging position, and a lumen extending therethrough; and

(iii) a distensible stent;

wherein said second tubular structure is disposed within said first tubular structure, and wherein said stent is releasably engaged to said second tubular structure such that movement of said second tubular structure within the lumen of said first tubular structure causes movement of said stent.

29. A method for loading a stent into a sheath delivery system comprising the steps of:

(i) providing a sheath delivery system comprising at least one first tubular structure having a proximal end and a distal end;

wherein said proximal end of said tubular structure has a handle attached thereto and wherein said tubular structure comprises a visual marker thereon;

(ii) providing a distensible stent having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;

(iii) providing a second tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, a stent-engaging portion, and a lumen extending therethrough;

(iv) passing said stent through said handle and into said tubular structure of said sheath delivery system until said distal end of said stent is aligned with said visual marker and such that a portion of said stent is partially constrained within said tubular structure;

(v) passing a second tubular structure into said lumen of said stent such that said second tubular structure becomes releasably engaged to said stent, wherein movement of said second tubular structure toward said distal end of said first tubular structure relative to said handle causes advancement of said stent relative to said handle toward said distal end of said delivery system.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said second tubular structure becomes anchored to said stent by means of an anchor that is attached to said second tubular structure.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein said second tubular structure is passed through said first tubular structure until said stent is fully constrained within said first tubular structure.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein a delivery system tip is attached to the distal end of said second tubular structure.