Syent/graft deployment catheter with a stent/graft attachment mechanism

• US 6,685,735 B1
• Filed: 06/22/2000
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lifeshield Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EndoVascular Technologies Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Ahari, Frederick
• Primary Examiner(s): Snow, Bruce
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, Cheryl
• Application Number:
  US09/602,161
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.11, 623/1.23, 623/1.36, 623/1.39, 623/1.4, 623/1.44, 623/1.45, 623/1.46, 623/1.12, 623/1.13, 623/1.15, 606/194, 606/195, 606/198, 606/200
• US Class Current: 623/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts

Abstract

A stent/graft deployment catheter which deploys a stent/graft by pulling it out of its delivery sheath rather than pushing it out. The stent/graft deployment catheter comprises a tip capable of positively engaging a distal end of a stent/graft. Said tip houses a pair of ball bearings which engage a notch in the inner surface of the stent/graft when the inner lumen is occupied by a guide wire.

Claims

1. A system for repairing lumen defects, the system comprising:

a deployment catheter; and

a stent/graft including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion extending from the proximal end portion, the distal end portion having a cross-sectional thickness and a recess formed in and limited to the distal end portion of the stent/graft, the recess having a depth that is less than the cross-sectional thickness of the distal end portion thereby providing the distal end portion with a section having a decreased thickness and being adapted for releasably engaging the deployment catheter, wherein the recess has a geometry such that the recess mates with a portion of the deployment catheter.

2. The system of claim 1, the stent/graft further comprising an inner surface, the recess being formed on the inner surface.

3. The system of claim 1, the stent/graft further comprising an outer surface, the recess being formed on the outer surface.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the recess is a groove.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the recess is a hemispherical notch.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the stent/graft has a generally tubular configuration.