STENT DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM INCLUDING MULTIPLE STENT-ENGAGING ELEMENTS

• US 20170290691A1
• Filed: 04/12/2016
• Published: 10/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Idev Technologies, Inc. (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Idev Technologies, Inc. (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Bei, Nianjiong Joan
• Application Number:
  US15/097,013
• Publication Number:
  US 20170290691A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9517 handle assemblies therefor
• 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 2002/9665 with additional retaining means

Abstract

A stent delivery system can include a plurality of stent-engaging elements configured to move relative to each other. Each of the stent-engaging elements can include a radially outwardly projecting portion configured to engage a stent. Each of the stent-engaging elements can be configured to move the stent when distally advanced and not move the stent when proximally retracted.

Claims

1. A method of delivering a self-expanding stent at a treatment site using a stent delivery system, the method comprising:

advancing the stent delivery system proximate to the treatment site, the stent delivery system comprising;

an elongate outer member defining an outer member lumen;

a pusher assembly in the outer member lumen, the pusher assembly comprising a plurality of stent-engaging elements, the plurality of stent-engaging elements comprising a distal stent-engaging element, at least one intermediate stent-engaging element, and a proximal stent-engaging element, the plurality of stent-engaging elements being positioned coaxially relative to each other, each of the plurality of stent-engaging elements being configured to move independently relative to the other stent-engaging elements; and

the self-expanding stent radially between the elongate outer member and the pusher assembly in a radially compressed configuration;

advancing the plurality of stent-engaging elements until the plurality of stent engaging elements are positioned at a distal portion of the outer lumen, wherein advancing the plurality of stent-engaging elements comprises;

distally driving each of the at least one intermediate stent-engaging elements and the proximal stent-engaging element, while not distally driving any of the plurality of stent-engaging elements distal to the stent-engaging element being driven.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing the plurality of stent-engaging elements comprises simultaneously distally driving the plurality of stent-engaging elements.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing the plurality of stent-engaging elements comprises distally driving the plurality of stent-engaging elements toward a distal portion of the outer lumen without driving the plurality of stent-engaging elements out the elongate outer member.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising, after distally driving the plurality of stent-engaging elements toward the distal portion of the outer lumen, simultaneously driving the plurality of stent-engaging elements out of the elongate outer member.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing the plurality of stent-engaging elements comprises engaging the self-expanding stent with each of the stent-engaging elements.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the self-expanding stent is woven to form wire intersections, and wherein engaging the self-expanding stent comprises engaging wire intersections of the stent with each of the stent-engaging element.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein distally driving each of the at least one intermediate stent-engaging elements and the proximal stent-engaging elements comprises driving a portion of the self-expanding stent over the distal stent-engaging element.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising retracting the self-expanding stent.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein retracting the self-expanding stent comprises retracting the plurality of stent-engaging elements.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing the plurality of stent-engaging elements comprises hydraulically driving the plurality of stent-engaging elements.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing the plurality of stent-engaging elements comprises actuating a user-actuatable element configured to distally drive the plurality of stent-engaging elements.

12. A stent delivery system comprising:

an elongate outer member defining an outer member lumen;

a pusher assembly in the outer member lumen, the pusher assembly comprising;

a distal stent-engaging element comprising a first radially outwardly projecting portion configured to engage a first portion of a self-expanding stent; and

a proximal stent-engaging element comprising a second radially outwardly projecting portion configured to engage a second portion of the self-expanding stent, the second portion being proximal to the first portion of the stent-engaging element,

wherein the distal stent-engaging element is configured to move independently from the proximal stent-engaging element.

13. A method of delivering a self-expanding stent at a treatment site using a stent delivery system, the method comprising:

advancing the stent delivery system proximate to the treatment site, the stent delivery system comprising;

an elongate outer member defining an outer member lumen;

a pusher assembly in the outer member lumen, the pusher assembly comprising;

a first stent-engaging element; and

a second stent-engaging element, a distal end of the first stent-engaging element positioned distal to the second stent-engaging element, the first stent-engaging element configured to move independently from the second stent-engaging element; and

the self-expanding stent radially between the elongate outer member and the pusher assembly in a radially compressed configuration;

advancing a first portion of the self-expanding stent out of the elongate outer member by distally driving the first stent-engaging element out of the elongate outer member; and

after advancing the first portion of the self-expanding stent, advancing a second portion of the self-expanding stent out of the elongate outer member by distally driving the second stent-engaging element out of the elongate outer member, while not distally driving the first stent-engaging element.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein advancing the first portion of the self-expanding stent comprises distally driving the first stent-engaging element without driving the first stent-engaging element out the elongate outer member.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising advancing a third portion of the self-expanding stent out of the elongate outer member by driving a third stent-engaging element out of the outer member.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein advancing the third portion of the self-expanding stent comprises, after advancing the second portion of the self-expanding stent, distally driving the third stent-engaging element, while not distally driving the second stent-engaging element.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein advancing the third portion of the self-expanding stent comprises simultaneously distally driving the second stent-engaging element and the third stent-engaging element.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the third portion of the self-expanding stent comprises a proximal end of the self-expanding stent.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the self-expanding stent is woven to form wire intersections, and wherein engaging the self-expanding stent comprises engaging wire intersections of the stent with the first stent-engaging element.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein advancing the second portion of the stent comprises advancing the second portion of the stent over the first stent-engaging element.