Endoscopic stent delivery system and method

• US 8,506,614 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2005
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Hemerick, James F., Schneider, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN VAN
• Application Number:
  US11/319,136
• Publication Number:
  US 20060161239A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,785 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.12, 623/1.11, 606/108, 606/194, 604/103.04, 604/158, 604/165.01, 604/165.02, 604/164.07, 604/164.08, 604/171, 604/239, 600/184
• US Class Current: 623/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/966 with relative longitudinal movement between outer sleeve and prosthesis, e.g. using a push rod

Abstract

A stent delivery system is disclosed that has an outer assembly and an inner assembly that accommodates a stent. The inner assembly further has an external assembly contact area projecting from its surface that frictionally contacts an inner surface of the outer assembly. The contact area is positioned at one end of the inner assembly, proximal to the stent accommodating area. Also disclosed is a method of using the stent delivery system.

Claims

1. A system for delivering a stent into an anatomical structure, the system comprising:

an outer tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface defining an outer lumen, and an outer surface;

an inner elongated structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface defining an inner lumen, the inner elongated structure being disposed inside the outer lumen; and

a plurality of contact areas projecting radially outward from the inner elongated structure and arranged sequentially along a length of the inner elongated structure,

wherein each of the contact areas is spaced apart from an adjacent contact area by an exposed outer surface of the inner elongated structure,

wherein the plurality of contact areas increase in flexibility from the proximal end of the inner elongated structure to the distal end of the inner elongated structure,

wherein the plurality of contact areas are positioned proximal of the stent.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the outer tubular structure has a translucent region at the distal end, and the translucent region has a length less than a constrained length of the stent placed within the outer tubular structure.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the outer tubular structure is devoid of braiding along the length of the translucent region between the inner and outer surfaces.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a stent accommodating area on the distal end of the inner elongated structure, the stent accommodating area accommodating the stent.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the outer tubular structure has a translucent region at the distal end and the translucent region has a length less than a constrained length of the stent placed within the outer tubular structure,

wherein the translucent region is coextensive with at least a portion of the stent accommodating area.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein one of the plurality of contact areas is located closer to a proximal end of the stent accommodating area than a distal end of the stent accommodating area.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of contact areas frictionally slide against the inner surface of the outer tubular structure.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a gap disposed between the inner surface of the outer tubular structure and the inner elongate structure.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising an injection port configured to introduce fluid into the gap, and a valve configured to regulate fluid flow through the injection port.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of contact areas differ in length.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the outer tubular structure has a substantially constant diameter between the proximal end and the distal end.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact areas are configured to minimize friction.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the contact areas are configured to minimize friction when one or more of the contact areas contacts the inner surface of the outer tubular structure.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of contact areas is in direct contact with the inner surface of the outer tubular structure when the system delivers a stent.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner lumen is configured to accommodate a guidewire or a fluid therethrough.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact areas project from an outer surface of the inner elongated structure.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of contact areas are comprised of a first material, and the inner elongated structure is comprised of a second material that is different than the first material.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of contact areas is comprised of the same material.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of contact areas does not contact the other of the plurality of contact areas.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of contact areas is a discrete contact area spaced from the other of the plurality of contact areas.

21. A system for delivering a stent into an anatomical structure, the system comprising:

an outer tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface defining a lumen, wherein the outer tubular structure has a translucent region at the distal end, the translucent region having a length less than a length of the stent;

an inner elongated structure having a proximal end and a distal end, the inner elongated structure being located within the outer tubular structure;

a stent accommodating area on the distal end of the inner elongated structure, the stent accommodating area accommodating the stent; and

a contact area projecting from the inner elongated structure and located proximal of the stent accommodating area, wherein the contact area is configured to minimize friction,

wherein the translucent region is coextensive with at least a portion of the stent accommodating area,

wherein the outer tubular structure has a substantially constant diameter between the proximal end and the distal end.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the inner elongated structure increases in flexibility from the proximal end of the inner elongated structure to the distal end of the inner elongated structure.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the contact area frictionally slides against the inner surface of the outer tubular structure.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the outer tubular structure is devoid of braiding along the length of the translucent region between the inner surface and an outer surface of the outer tubular structure.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the contact area projects radially outward from the inner elongated structure.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the contact area is configured to minimize friction when the contact area contacts the inner surface of the outer tubular structure.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the contact area is in direct contact with the inner surface of the outer tubular structure when the system delivers a stent.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein an inner surface of the inner elongated structure defines an inner lumen.

29. The system of claim 28, further comprising a gap disposed between the inner surface of the outer tubular structure and the inner elongate structure.

30. The system of claim 29, further comprising an injection port configured to introduce fluid into the gap, and a valve configured to regulate fluid flow through the injection port.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the inner lumen is configured to accommodate a guidewire or a clued therethrough.

32. The system of claim 21, wherein the contact area is sized to be in sliding contact with the outer tubular structure.

33. A system for delivering a stent into an anatomical structure, the system comprising:

an outer tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface defining a lumen, wherein the outer tubular structure has a translucent region at the distal end, the translucent region having a length less than a length of the stent;

an inner elongated structure having a proximal end and a distal end, the inner elongated structure being located within the outer tubular structure;

a stent accommodating area on the distal end of the inner elongated structure, the stent accommodating area accommodating the stent; and

a contact area projecting from the inner elongated structure and located closer to a proximal end of the stent accommodating area than a distal end of the stent accommodating area, wherein the contact area is configured to minimize friction,

wherein the translucent region is coextensive with at least a portion of the stent accommodating area,

wherein the outer tubular structure has a substantially constant diameter between the proximal end and the distal end,

wherein the contact area includes three discrete contact areas, and each of the three discrete contact areas is disposed proximally of the stent.