Custom length stent apparatus

• US 8,956,398 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2011
• Issued: 02/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: JW Medical Systems Ltd
• Original Assignee: JW Medical Systems Ltd
• Inventors: George, Robert, Snow, David W., Carrison, Harold F., Acosta, Pablo
• Primary Examiner(s): DOWE, KATHERINE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US13/015,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20110125248A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,482 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.11, 623/1.12, 623/1.16, 623/1.23
• US Class Current: 623/1.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0095 Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/915 with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/826 more than one stent being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/828 Means for connecting a plurality of stents allowing flexibility of the whole structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91508 the meander having a difference in amplitude along the band
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91533 characterised by the phase between adjacent bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9583 Means for holding the stent on the balloon, e.g. using protrusions, adhesives or an outer sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0033 electrically, e.g. heated by resistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0042 using a fluid, e.g. circulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/2676 Optically controlled phased array
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/2575 Radio-over-fibre, e.g. radio frequency signal modulated onto an optical carrier

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for delivering prosthetic segments to a body lumen, utilize a device having an elongated flexible member including proximal and distal ends, a plurality of prosthetic segments releasably arranged axially along the elongated flexible member near the distal end and an outer sheath slidably disposed over at least a portion of the prosthetic segments. The apparatus further includes a separator disposed on the outer sheath and adapted to engage the prosthetic segments. The separator is also adapted to be retracted proximally over the prosthetic segments and advanced distally to separate a proximal group of the prosthetic segments from a distal group of the prosthetic segments which are to be deployed in the body lumen.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering prosthetic segments in a body lumen, the apparatus comprising:

an elongated flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end;

a plurality of prosthetic segments releasably arranged axially along the elongated flexible member near the distal end;

an outer sheath slidably disposed over at least a portion of the prosthetic segments;

an inwardly extending separator fixedly attached to an inside surface of the outer sheath and positioned proximally from a distal end thereof, the inwardly extending separator being adapted to engage the prosthetic segments, wherein the inwardly extending separator is adapted to be refracted proximally to slide over the prosthetic segments and advanced distally to engage at least one prosthetic segment within the outer sheath and separate a proximal group of the prosthetic segments from a distal group of the prosthetic segments which are to be deployed in the body lumen.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a backstop element disposed on the elongated flexible member and adapted to prevent proximal movement of the prosthetic segments when the separator is retracted proximally over the prosthetic segments.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the backstop element is a tube slidably disposed on the elongated flexible member.

4. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the backstop element is an annular flange disposed on the elongated flexible member.

5. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the backstop element is a balloon.

6. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the backstop element comprises a compliant spacer.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a stopping member disposed on the distal end of the elongated flexible member and adapted to stop distal movement of the prosthetic segments when the separator is advanced distally with the prosthetic segments.

8. The apparatus as in claim 7, further comprising a nosecone disposed at the distal end of the elongated flexible member, the nosecone being positioned distally of the stopping member and having a radial dimension that is greater than a radial dimension of the stopping member.

9. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the prosthetic segments are balloon expandable.

10. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the prosthetic segments are self-expanding.

11. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising an expandable member near the distal end of the elongated flexible member.

12. An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the expandable member is a balloon.

13. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of prosthetic segments carry a therapeutic agent adapted to being released therefrom.

14. An apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises an anti-restenosis agent.

15. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of prosthetic segments have a length in the range from about 2 mm to about 10 mm.

16. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of prosthetic segments have a length about 3 mm to 6 mm.

17. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of prosthetic segments have interleaved ends prior to deployment.

18. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein ends of the plurality of prosthetic segments are spaced apart prior to deployment to allow the separator to engage the prosthetic segments at their proximal ends.

19. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of prosthetic segments are initially spaced proximally from the distal end of the elongate flexible member to allow the distal group of prosthetic segments to be advanced distally by the separator.

20. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the separator exerts substantially greater axial force against the prosthetic segments when the separator is advanced distally than when the separator is retracted proximally.

21. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the separator comprises a plurality of resilient fingers projecting radially inward.

22. An apparatus as in claim 21, wherein at least some of the fingers are inclined so that free ends of the fingers point distally allowing the fingers to pass over the prosthetic segments as the separator is retracted proximally but to engage a prosthetic segment when the separator is advanced distally.

23. An apparatus as in claim 22, wherein at least some of the fingers are composed of metal.

24. An apparatus as in claim 22, wherein at least some of the fingers are composed of a polymer.

25. An apparatus as in claim 22, wherein at least some of the fingers comprise a radiused end substantially matching the curvature of the surface of the prosthetic segment thereby providing greater contact surface so as to facilitate engagement between the prosthetic segments and the separator as the separator is advanced distally while allowing the separator to pass over the prosthetic segments during proximal retraction of the separator.

26. An apparatus as in claim 22, wherein the separator further comprises a hinge coupled to the resilient fingers to allow the resilient fingers to deflect radially to facilitate passage of the separator over the prosthetic segments when the separator is retracted proximally.

27. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the separator comprises an annular flange.

28. An apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the annular flange is tapered.