Device for delivering and deploying intraluminal devices
First Claim
1. A device for delivering and deploying an intraluminal device, comprising:
- a guide sheath having proximal and distal ends;
a lead balloon within said sheath, at least a portion of said lead balloon extending from the distal end of said guide sheath to provide a tapered leading surface and a fluid-tight seal at the distal end of said guide sheath; and
a catheter within said sheath, said catheter containing an intraluminal device and having means for deploying said intraluminal device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for delivering and deploying an intraluminal device such as a stent. The device has a guide sheath with a movable tip element, preferably in the form of an inflatable balloon, at its distal end that facilitates insertion of the guide sheath. The intraluminal device is carried on a catheter within the sheath. The sheath may be formed from a very thin flexible material so that a smaller introducer and incision in the patient may be used. The internal pressure of the sheath may be varied to alter pushability and flexibility of the sheath. The tip element thus preferably forms a fluid tight seal with the distal end of the guide sheath. A handle is provided to hold the catheter stationary while the guide sheath is retracted to expose the intraluminal device for deployment. This minimizes the likelihood that movement of the sheath will displace the intraluminal device after it has been properly positioned.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A device for delivering and deploying an intraluminal device, comprising:
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a guide sheath having proximal and distal ends; a lead balloon within said sheath, at least a portion of said lead balloon extending from the distal end of said guide sheath to provide a tapered leading surface and a fluid-tight seal at the distal end of said guide sheath; and a catheter within said sheath, said catheter containing an intraluminal device and having means for deploying said intraluminal device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A device for delivering and deploying an intraluminal device comprising:
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a guide sheath having proximal and distal ends, said guide sheath being formed from a material that allows the flexibility of said guide sheath to be varied by varying internal pressure within said guide sheath; and a tip element slidably positionable adjacent said distal end of said guide sheath to form a leading end for said guide sheath;
wherein;said tip element forms a fluid-tight seal with said distal end of said guide sheath when positioned adjacent said distal end of said guide sheath so that internal pressure is increased within said guide sheath in response to applied pressure within said guide sheath; and said tip element is slidable away from said distal end of said guide sheath to allow delivery and deployment of an intraluminal device carried within said guide sheath through said guide sheath. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A device for delivering and deploying an intraluminal device comprising:
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a guide sheath having proximal and distal ends; a catheter within said sheath, said catheter containing an intraluminal device and having means for deploying said intraluminal device; and a handle, the proximal end of said guide sheath being retained within said handle, said catheter extending through said guide sheath and out of said handle; and means for selectively locking said catheter and handle together so that said guide sheath can be moved selectively relative to said handle and catheter to expose said intraluminal device on said catheter. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method of delivering and deploying an intraluminal device in a blood vessel, comprising the steps of:
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providing a guide sheath having at least a distal portion, at least said distal portion of said guide sheath being made of a soft flexible material that allows the internal pressure of said guide sheath to be varied to alter the flexibility of said guide sheath; placing an intraluminal device within said guide sheath; maintaining said distal portion of said guide sheath in a configuration that reduces the cross section of said guide sheath prior to insertion into a blood vessel; providing a tip element adjacent said distal portion of said guide sheath; inserting the reduced cross section guide sheath into a blood vessel; increasing internal pressure within said guide sheath to increase the cross section of said guide sheath and to increase pushability of said guide sheath through said blood vessel; forming a fluid right seal between said tip element and said distal portion of said guide sheath at least while increasing internal pressure in said guide sheath; moving said tip element away from said distal portion of said guide sheath once said guide sheath is in position to deploy said intraluminal device; sliding said intraluminal device from within said guide sheath out into said blood vessel; and deploying said intraluminal device within said blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification