Method and apparatus for introducing expandable intraluminal prosthesis
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for delivering an expandable prosthesis within a body lumen, comprising a catheter structure having at its distal end a prosthesis bearing site;
- a delivery sheath positioned over said prosthesis bearing site so as to retain a prosthesis as the catheter structure is advanced through the body lumen, the delivery sheath being retractable to release the prosthesis;
a pull wire lumen extending at least part way through the catheter structure from the proximal end of the delivery sheath; and
a pull wire connected with the delivery sheath and extending through the pull wire lumen to enable remote retraction of the delivery sheath, wherein the distal end of the pull wire lumen is associated with a region of weakness in the catheter structure such that the region of weakness is torn on retraction of the delivery sheath.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A stent introducer has a delivery sheath positioned to restrain a self expandable stent. A pull wire is connected with the delivery sheath and extends through a pull wire lumen to enable remote retraction of the delivery sheath. The distal end of the pull wire lumen is associated with a region of weakness in the structure such that the region of weakness is torn on retraction of the delivery sheath.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. Apparatus for delivering an expandable prosthesis within a body lumen, comprising a catheter structure having at its distal end a prosthesis bearing site;
- a delivery sheath positioned over said prosthesis bearing site so as to retain a prosthesis as the catheter structure is advanced through the body lumen, the delivery sheath being retractable to release the prosthesis;
a pull wire lumen extending at least part way through the catheter structure from the proximal end of the delivery sheath; and
a pull wire connected with the delivery sheath and extending through the pull wire lumen to enable remote retraction of the delivery sheath, wherein the distal end of the pull wire lumen is associated with a region of weakness in the catheter structure such that the region of weakness is torn on retraction of the delivery sheath. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- a delivery sheath positioned over said prosthesis bearing site so as to retain a prosthesis as the catheter structure is advanced through the body lumen, the delivery sheath being retractable to release the prosthesis;
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14. Method for delivering an expandable prosthesis within body lumens, said method comprising the steps of positioning in a body lumen an apparatus having a longitudinal axis, said apparatus comprising a catheter structure having at its distal end a prosthesis bearing site;
- an expandable prosthesis located at said prosthesis bearing site;
a delivery sheath positioned over said prosthesis bearing site so as to retain the prosthesis as the catheter structure is advanced through the body lumen, the delivery sheath being retractable to release the prosthesis;
a pull wire lumen extending at least part way through the catheter structure from the proximal end of the delivery sheath; and
a pull wire connected with the delivery sheath and extending through the pull wire lumen to enable remote retraction of the delivery sheath, wherein the distal end of the pull wire lumen is associated with a region of weakness in the catheter structure; and
pulling said pull wire proximally along said axis so as to retract said delivery sheath, thus unsheathing said prosthesis, and tearing said region of weakness. - View Dependent Claims (15)
- an expandable prosthesis located at said prosthesis bearing site;
Specification