Delivery system having a rapid pusher assembly for self-expanding stent, and stent exchange configuration
First Claim
1. A pusher assembly for a delivery system for a self-expanding stent, the pusher assembly constituting a catheter shaft with a proximal pusher end to receive an end-wise compressive force and a distal pusher end to deliver said force to a stent to be delivered, the pusher assembly comprising:
- a pusher strand extending from the proximal pusher end to a distal strand end which is nearer the distal pusher end than the proximal pusher end;
a pusher element which abuts the stent in use to deliver said force to the stent; and
a transfer shaft having a length with a proximal end and a distal end, the transfer shaft tapering distally along at least a portion of the length toward the transfer shaft distal end, the transfer shaft proximal end being connected to the distal strand end and the transfer shaft distal end being connected to the pusher element; and
the pusher element defines a guidewire path, and said transfer shaft lies to one side of said path but is not coaxial with said path.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pusher assembly for a delivery system for a self-expanding stent (6) which is delivered by proximal withdrawal of a sheath (4) radially surrounding the stent has a stent pusher element (8) which defines a lumen for a guidewire (2), a pusher strand (16) that extends to the proximal end of the delivery system and bears an end-wise compressive stress during release of the stent. A transfer shaft (12) links the distal end of the pusher strand (16) to the pusher element (8) and lies side-by-side with the guidewire (2). In a rapid exchange version, an adapter (20) provides two lumens side-by-side, one (22) carrying the pusher strand (16) and the other (14) defining a proximal guidewire part. To the adapter is mounted the proximal end of the stent sheath (4). The system allows modular (14) construction, a tapered tip (4A) on the sheath, and an uncluttered internal configuration which facilitates passage of pulses (F) of liquids from the proximal to the distal end of the system.
306 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A pusher assembly for a delivery system for a self-expanding stent, the pusher assembly constituting a catheter shaft with a proximal pusher end to receive an end-wise compressive force and a distal pusher end to deliver said force to a stent to be delivered, the pusher assembly comprising:
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a pusher strand extending from the proximal pusher end to a distal strand end which is nearer the distal pusher end than the proximal pusher end; a pusher element which abuts the stent in use to deliver said force to the stent; and a transfer shaft having a length with a proximal end and a distal end, the transfer shaft tapering distally along at least a portion of the length toward the transfer shaft distal end, the transfer shaft proximal end being connected to the distal strand end and the transfer shaft distal end being connected to the pusher element; and the pusher element defines a guidewire path, and said transfer shaft lies to one side of said path but is not coaxial with said path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A self-expanding stent deployment system for advancement over a guidewire and having a rapid exchange configuration, comprising:
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a tubular sheath defining a cavity within which a stent is confined in a radially inwardly position until deployment, the sheath having a distal end and a proximal end and defining an axis of the system; a pipe to pull the sheath proximally to release the stent and having a lumen to transport fluid for delivery to the sheath cavity; a pusher assembly including; a pusher strand extending from a proximal end of the system to a distal end of the system; a pusher element which abuts the stent in use; and a transfer shaft having a length with a proximal end and a distal end, the transfer shaft tapering distally along at least a portion of the length toward the transfer shaft distal end, the transfer shaft proximal end being connected to a distal end of the pusher strand and the transfer shaft distal end being connected to the pusher element, the pusher element defines a guidewire path, and said transfer shaft lies to one side of said path but is not coaxial with said path; an adapter defining at least first and second lumens arranged side by side and parallel with the axis of the system and arranged to transmit forces between the sheath and the pipe, wherein the first lumen is a guidewire lumen, and the second lumen communicates with the lumen of the pipe and with the sheath cavity, and the sheath having a tapered tip disposed distal of the stent cavity which enables the guidewire to pass distally beyond the distal end of the sheath. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A pusher assembly for maintaining the position of a stent, comprising:
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a carrier tube disposed within the stent and defining a longitudinal axis, the carrier tube having a proximal end; a pusher element having proximal and distal surfaces, the distal surface abutting the stent, the proximal and distal surfaces defining an inner passage through the pusher element, the proximal end of the carrier tube disposed within the inner passage; and a transfer shaft having a length and proximal and distal ends, the transfer shaft distal end abutting the proximal face of the pusher element, the transfer shaft extending proximally from the proximal surface of the pusher element in a direction that is offset from but parallel to the longitudinal axis, the transfer shaft tapering distally along at least a portion of the length toward the transfer shaft distal end.
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Specification