Devices and methods for controlling expandable prostheses during deployment
First Claim
1. A method for delivering a prosthesis to a body lumen, the method comprising:
- introducing into the body lumen one or more self-expanding tubular prostheses carried at axially spaced apart locations along an elongate flexible member, the self-expanding tubular prostheses being axially separated and unlocked within a sheath and constrained in a contracted configuration within the sheath, the body lumen having a lesion with a lesion length;
selecting a first group of the self-expanding tubular prostheses for delivery by proximally retracting a pusher member disposed proximal of the first group of prostheses, the first group of prostheses having a combined length that substantially traverses the lesion length;
distally advancing the pusher member to axially translate the selected first group of prostheses within the sheath to bring the first group of prostheses into locking engagement with each other within the sheath; and
uncovering the first group of prostheses from the sheath so that they are unconstrained from expansion, wherein the first group expands at the first treatment site.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter for delivering a prosthesis to a treatment site in a body lumen comprises an elongate flexible member and a sheath slidably disposed thereover. A plurality of self-expanding tubular prostheses are carried in axially spaced apart locations along the elongate member, within the sheath. The prostheses may be selectively interlocked with one another and are constrained by the sheath in a radially contracted configuration. The prostheses are separately releasable from the sheath when the sheath is retracted relative to the elongate member. The catheter also has a pusher member slidably disposed along the elongate member within the sheath. The pusher is adapted to move past the prostheses in a first direction without displacing the prostheses, while in a second direction the pusher engages a selected prosthesis so as to move the prosthesis with the pusher to interlock the selected prosthesis with a second prosthesis.
524 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for delivering a prosthesis to a body lumen, the method comprising:
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introducing into the body lumen one or more self-expanding tubular prostheses carried at axially spaced apart locations along an elongate flexible member, the self-expanding tubular prostheses being axially separated and unlocked within a sheath and constrained in a contracted configuration within the sheath, the body lumen having a lesion with a lesion length; selecting a first group of the self-expanding tubular prostheses for delivery by proximally retracting a pusher member disposed proximal of the first group of prostheses, the first group of prostheses having a combined length that substantially traverses the lesion length; distally advancing the pusher member to axially translate the selected first group of prostheses within the sheath to bring the first group of prostheses into locking engagement with each other within the sheath; and uncovering the first group of prostheses from the sheath so that they are unconstrained from expansion, wherein the first group expands at the first treatment site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification