US20020161377A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for delivering, repositioning and/or retrieving self-expanding stents
Assignee: InTek Tech LLC
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Filing: 2001-04-27
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2021-04-27
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for delivering and deploying a stent formed of a shape memory alloy to a desired position in a tubular area of the body, and/or for repositioning and/or retrieving a stent formed of a two-way shape memory alloy. An arrangement is provided by which the temperature of the stent is locally adjusted during delivery, repositioning and/or retrieval in a safe and controlled manner by engagement with an expandable and collapsible thermal transfer member situated on a catheter assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Dmitry Rabkin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/95; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/221; A61B17/22031; A61B2017/22035; A61B2017/2215; A61F2/958; A61F2002/9528; A61F2002/9534; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 95
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
1 . Apparatus for deploying and/or retrieving and/or repositioning a stent having a shape memory, comprising: an elongate catheter assembly having a proximal end region and a distal end region; a thermal transfer device situated on said catheter assembly defining a chamber having a thermal transfer wall; and means for providing an inflow of thermal transfer fluid into said chamber from said proximal end region of said catheter assembly for transferring thermal energy to said stent through said thermal transfer wall, to adjust the temperature of the stent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
1 . Apparatus for deploying and/or retrieving and/or repositioning a stent having a shape memory, comprising: an elongate catheter assembly having a proximal end region and a distal end region; a thermal transfer device situated on said catheter assembly defining a chamber having a thermal transfer wall; and means for providing an inflow of thermal transfer fluid into said chamber from said proximal end region of said catheter assembly for transferring thermal energy to said stent through said thermal transfer wall, to adjust the temperature of the stent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
2 . Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said thermal transfer device comprises an expandable member structured and arranged to expand and collapse between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
3 . Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said thermal transfer device includes an adjustable wire frame for expanding and collapsing said expandable member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
184 words
4 . Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said catheter assembly comprises an inner core catheter and a relatively movable outer core catheter situated over said inner core catheter, said outer core catheter having a distal end which is situated proximally of the distal end of said inner core catheter so that a projecting portion of said inner core catheter extends beyond said distal end of said outer core catheter and wherein said wire frame comprises a plurality of wires, each wire having one end fixed to a distal end of said projecting portion of said inner core catheter, another end fixed to the distal end of said outer core catheter, and a central region attached to said expandable members; whereby relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to shorten the projecting portion of said inner core bends said wires and expands said expandable member to its expanded condition while relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to lengthen the projecting portion of said inner core straightens said wires and collapses said thermal transfer device to its collapsed condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
5 . Apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said expandable member comprises an inflatable balloon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
6 . Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said thermal transfer material forming said chamber comprises flexible sheet material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
7 . Apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said thermal transfer material comprises a polymer material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
8 . Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said expandable member includes a balloon formed at least in part of said thermal transfer wall of said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
9 . Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said means for providing inflow of thermal transfer fluid into said chamber comprises means for inflating said balloon member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
10 . Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said catheter assembly includes means for expanding and collapsing said balloon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
11 . Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for providing an inflow of thermal transfer fluid into said chamber comprise passages formed at least in part in said elongate catheter assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
12 . Apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said passages open from said catheter assembly into the interior of said chamber of said thermal transfer device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
13 . Apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein said elongate catheter assembly comprises an inner core catheter and a relatively movable outer core catheter situated over said inner core catheter, and wherein said opening of said passage comprises an axially facing annular opening defined between a distal end of said outer core catheter and said inner core catheter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
14 . Apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein said catheter assembly comprises an inner core catheter, and wherein said opening of said passage comprises a radially facing opening constituting a port formed in a side wall of said inner core catheter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
15 . Apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said passage opens at said catheter assembly at a port situated at the exterior of said chamber, and wherein said inflow providing means further comprises separate conduit means fluidly communicating said port and said chamber interior.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
119 words
16 . Apparatus for deploying, retrieving and/or repositioning a stent having a shape memory, comprising: an elongate catheter assembly having proximal and distal end regions; a thermal transfer device including a balloon member operatively connected to said catheter assembly defining a chamber having a thermal transfer wall, at least a part of which constitutes a thermal transfer material; and circulation means for providing an inflow of thermal transfer fluid into the interior of said chamber for transferring thermal energy to a stent through said outer thermal transfer wall to adjust the temperature of the stent, and for providing an outflow of thermal transfer fluid from the interior of said chamber to said proximal end region of said catheter assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
16 . Apparatus for deploying, retrieving and/or repositioning a stent having a shape memory, comprising: an elongate catheter assembly having proximal and distal end regions; a thermal transfer device including a balloon member operatively connected to said catheter assembly defining a chamber having a thermal transfer wall, at least a part of which constitutes a thermal transfer material; and circulation means for providing an inflow of thermal transfer fluid into the interior of said chamber for transferring thermal energy to a stent through said outer thermal transfer wall to adjust the temperature of the stent, and for providing an outflow of thermal transfer fluid from the interior of said chamber to said proximal end region of said catheter assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
17 . Apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said balloon member comprises a sleeve-type balloon expandable to an expanded condition and collapsible to a collapsed position, said balloon member comprising a chamber which in its expanded condition has an annular cross-section and defines an axially extending through-passage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
84 words
18 . Apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said catheter assembly comprises at least one core catheter; and wherein said circulation means includes an inflow lumen formed in said core catheter, an inflow tube fluidly interconnecting the distal end of the inflow lumen and the interior of said chamber, an outflow lumen formed in said core catheter between said proximal and distal end regions; and an outflow tube fluidly interconnecting the distal end of said outflow lumen and said interior of said chamber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
19 . Apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said thermal transfer device further comprises an adjustable wire frame operatively associated with said catheter assembly for expanding and collapsing said balloon member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
174 words
20 . Apparatus as recited in claim 19 wherein said catheter assembly comprises an inner core catheter and an outer core catheter situated over said inner core catheter, said outer core catheter having a distal end which is situated proximally of the distal end of said inner core catheter so that a projecting portion of said inner core catheter extends beyond said distal end of said outer core catheter; and wherein said wire frame comprises a plurality of wires, each wire having one end fixed to a distal end of said projecting portion of said inner core catheter, another end fixed to the distal end of said outer core catheter and a central region attached to said balloon member, whereby relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to shorten the projecting portion of said inner core bends said wires and expands said balloon member while relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to lengthen the projecting portion of said inner core catheter straightens said wires and collapses said balloon member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
56 words
21 . Apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said catheter assembly comprises at least one core catheter, and wherein said balloon member has a distal end sealed in fluid sealing relationship around the circumference of said core catheter and a proximal end also sealed in fluid sealing relationship around the circumference of said core catheter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
22 . Apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said circulation means comprise at least one -pair of inflow and outflow lumens formed in said core catheter substantially between said proximal and distal end regions of said catheter assembly; said lumens having distal ends opening at ports into the interior of said chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
23 . Apparatus as recited in claim 22 wherein said balloon member comprises a solid-type balloon expandable to an expanded condition and collapsible to a collapsed condition, said balloon member comprising a chamber which in its expanded condition has a disk-like cross section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
74 words
24 . Apparatus as recited in claim 23 wherein said catheter assembly further includes an outer core catheter situated over said inner core catheter so as to be relatively movable with respect thereto, said outer core catheter having a distal end which is situated proximally of the distal end of said inner core catheter, so that a projecting portion of said inner core catheter extends beyond said distal end of said outer core catheter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
25 . Apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein thermal transfer device includes an adjustable wire frame for expanding and collapsing said balloon member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
113 words
26 . Apparatus as recited in claim 25 wherein said adjustable wire frame comprises a plurality of wires, each wire having one end fixed to a distal end of said projecting portion of said inner core catheter, another end fixed to the distal end of said outer core catheter and a central region attached to said balloon member, whereby relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to shorten the projecting portion of said inner core bends said wires and expands said balloon member while relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to lengthen the projecting portion of said inner core catheter straightens said wires and collapses said balloon member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
61 words
27 . Apparatus as recited in claim 22 wherein said balloon member comprises a balloon having at least one longitudinal fold attached to the inner core catheter along its axis and expandable to an expanded condition, and collapsible to a collapsed condition, said balloon member comprising a chamber which in its expanded condition, has at least one radial groove in cross-section.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
74 words
28 . Apparatus as recited in claim 27 wherein said catheter assembly further includes an outer core catheter situated over said inner core catheter so as to be relatively movable with respect thereto, said outer core catheter having a distal end which is situated proximally of the distal end of said inner core catheter, so that a projecting portion of said inner core catheter extends beyond said distal end of said outer core catheter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
29 . Apparatus as recited in claim 28 wherein said thermal transfer device includes an adjustable wire frame for expanding and contracting said balloon member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
113 words
30 . Apparatus as recited in claim 29 wherein said adjustable wire frame comprises a plurality of wires, each wire having one end fixed to a distal end of said projecting portion of said inner core catheter, another end fixed to the distal end of said outer core catheter and a central region attached to said balloon member, whereby relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to shorten the projecting portion of said inner core bends said wires and expands said balloon member while relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to lengthen the projecting portion of said inner core catheter straightens said wires and collapses said balloon member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
128 words
31 . Apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said catheter assembly comprises an inner core catheter and an outer core catheter situated over said inner core catheter and relatively movable with respect thereto, said outer core catheter having a distal end which is situated proximally of the distal end of said inner core catheter, so that a projecting portion of said inner core catheter extends beyond said distal end of said outer core catheter; and wherein said balloon member has a distal end sealed in fluid sealed relationship around the circumference of a distal end region of said inner core catheter, and said balloon member has a proximal end sealed in fluid sealed relationship around the circumference of a distal end region of said outer core catheter.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
66 words
32 . Apparatus as recited in claim 31 wherein said circulation means include at least one of an inflow and outflow passage comprising passage means formed in said catheter assembly extending from the proximal end region thereof and opening at said distal end region thereof at an axially facing annular opening defined between the inner core catheter and the distal end of said outer core catheter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
33 . Apparatus as recited in claim 31 wherein said balloon member is expandable to an expanded condition and collapsible to a collapsed condition, said balloon member comprising a chamber which in its expanded condition has a disk-like cross-section.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
34 . Apparatus as recited in claim 33 wherein said thermal transfer device includes an adjustable wire frame for expanding and collapsing said balloon member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
112 words
35 . Apparatus as recited in claim 34 wherein said wire frame assembly comprises a plurality of wires, each wire having one end fixed to a distal end of said projecting portion of said inner core catheter, another end fixed to the distal end of said outer core catheter and a central region attached to said balloon member, whereby relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to shorten the projecting portion of said inner core bends said wires and expand said balloon while relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to lengthen the projecting portion of said inner core catheter straightens said wire and collapses said balloon member.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
65 words
36 . Apparatus as recited in claim 31 wherein said balloon member comprises a balloon having at least one longitudinal fold attached to the inner core catheter along its axis and expandable to an expanded condition, and collapsible to a collapsed condition, said balloon member comprising a chamber which in its expanded condition, has at least one groove in cross section defining space between them.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
37 . Apparatus as recited in claim 36 wherein said thermal transfer device includes an adjustable wire frame for expanding and collapsing said balloon member.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
113 words
38 . Apparatus as recited in claim 37 wherein said wire frame assembly comprises a plurality of wires, each wire having one end fixed to a distal end of said projecting portion of said inner core catheter, another end fixed to the distal end of said outer core catheter and a central region attached to said balloon member, whereby relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to shorten the projecting portion of said inner core bends said wires and expands said balloon member while relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to lengthen the projecting portion of said inner core catheter straightens said wires and collapses said balloon member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
97 words
39 . Apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said chamber of said balloon member comprises an outer chamber portion at least partially defined by said outer wall and an inner chamber portion in fluid communication with said outer chamber portion, and wherein said circulation means comprise means for providing an inflow of thermal transfer fluid from the proximal end region of said catheter assembly into the interior of said outer chamber portion and means for providing an outflow of thermal transfer fluid from said inner chamber portion to the proximal end region of the catheter assembly.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
129 words
40 . Apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said catheter assembly includes an inner core catheter and a relatively movable outer core catheter situated over the inner core catheter, said outer core catheter comprising a concentric fluid passage divided into at least two sub-passages; and wherein said circulation means comprise means for providing one of an inflow and outflow of thermal transfer fluid from the proximal end region of said catheter assembly into the interior of said chamber through the concentric walled fluid passage of said outer core catheter; and the other of said inflow and outflow of heat transfer fluid from the proximal end region of said catheter assembly into the interior of said chamber through an annular catheter space defined between the other of said sub-passages.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
149 words
41 . Apparatus for deploying, retrieving and/or repositioning a stent having a shape memory, comprising: an elongate catheter assembly having proximal and distal end regions; a thermal transfer device comprising an expandable member situated on said catheter assembly defining a chamber having a thermal transfer wall, at least a portion of which constitutes a heat transfer material, said expandable member being expandable and collapsible between expanded and collapsed conditions; circulation means for providing an inflow of thermal transfer fluid from the proximal end region of said catheter assembly into the interior of said chamber and for providing an outflow of thermal transfer fluid from the interior of said chamber to the proximal end region of said catheter assembly; and a stent-capturing device situated on said catheter assembly for releasably holding a stent situated at said expandable member during deployment, and releasably grasping said stent during its retrieving and/or repositioning.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
149 words
41 . Apparatus for deploying, retrieving and/or repositioning a stent having a shape memory, comprising: an elongate catheter assembly having proximal and distal end regions; a thermal transfer device comprising an expandable member situated on said catheter assembly defining a chamber having a thermal transfer wall, at least a portion of which constitutes a heat transfer material, said expandable member being expandable and collapsible between expanded and collapsed conditions; circulation means for providing an inflow of thermal transfer fluid from the proximal end region of said catheter assembly into the interior of said chamber and for providing an outflow of thermal transfer fluid from the interior of said chamber to the proximal end region of said catheter assembly; and a stent-capturing device situated on said catheter assembly for releasably holding a stent situated at said expandable member during deployment, and releasably grasping said stent during its retrieving and/or repositioning.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
42 words
42 . Apparatus as recited in claim 41 wherein said stent capturing device comprise hook members situated in the region of said expandable member and structured and arranged to hold the stent during delivery, and/or grab the stent during retrieval and/or repositioning.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
41 words
43 . Apparatus as recited in claim 42 wherein said hook members are structured and arranged to capture the stent in a collapsed condition and to continue to capture the stent as it expands radially from said collapsed condition during deployment.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
56 words
44 . Apparatus as recited in claim 41 wherein said catheter assembly comprises at least one core catheter and wherein said stent-capturing device includes a plurality of stent-capturing members and a stent-capturing sheath positioned over said core catheter and moveable with respect thereto, said stent-capturing members being connected to a distal end of said stent-capturing sheath.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
66 words
45 . Apparatus as recited in claim 44 wherein said catheter assembly further comprises a stent-receiving sheath positioned over said stent-capturing sheath to be moveable with respect thereto, said stent-receiving sheath structured and arranged to engage said stent-capturing members upon movement of said stent-capturing and stent-receiving sheaths with respect to each other to thereby cause or permit said stent-capturing members to move in a radial direction.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
127 words
46 . Apparatus as recited in claim 41 wherein said expandable member of said thermal transfer device comprises a balloon member, and wherein said catheter assembly includes a core catheter over a distal end region of which said balloon member is situated; and said balloon member in its expanded condition includes at least one pair of radially and axially extending opposed wall members extending longitudinally between said outer wall of said balloon member and said core catheter, said opposed wall members at least in part forming said chamber and defining a radial space external of said chamber therebetween; said stent-capturing means including at least one hook member, situated in said radial space, one end of said at least one hook member being coupled to said core catheter.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
67 words
47 . Apparatus as recited in claim 46 wherein said balloon member further includes means situated in said radial space for engaging said at least one hook member upon expansion of said balloon member to its expanded condition to move the hook member and for engaging said at least one hook member upon collapse of said balloon member to its collapsed condition to move the hook member.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
71 words
48 . Apparatus as recited in claim 41 wherein said expandable member of said thermal transfer device comprises a balloon member; and wherein said stent capturing device comprises at least one wire finger, each wire finger having a first end secured to said catheter assembly and a body portion slidably secured to said balloon member to open upon expansion of said balloon member and close upon collapse of said balloon member.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
68 words
49 . Apparatus as recited in claim 48 further comprising an adjustable wire frame operatively associated with said catheter assembly for expanding and collapsing said balloon member, said wire frame including at least one pair of wires coupled to said balloon having a bridging member; and wherein said body portion of said wire finger engages said bridging member to slidably secure said wire finger to said balloon member.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
68 words
50 . Apparatus as recited in claim 48 further comprising an adjustable wire frame operatively associated with said catheter assembly for expanding and collapsing said balloon member, said wire frame including at least one wire coupled to said balloon; a guide affixed to said wire; and wherein said body portion of said wire finger passes through said guide to slidably secure said wire finger to said balloon member.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
160 words
51 . Apparatus for deploying, repositioning and/or retrieving a stent, comprising: an elongate catheter assembly having a proximal end region and a distal end region; a thermal transfer device comprising a collapsible sleeve-type balloon member comprising a chamber which in its expanded condition has an annular cross-section, said balloon being situated at said distal end of said catheter assembly, said balloon member having an outer wall formed at least in part of heat transfer material; mechanical means for selectively expanding and collapsing said balloon member operable from said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; thermal transfer fluid circulating means for circulating a thermal transfer fluid from the proximal end of said catheter assembly into said chamber of said balloon member and back to said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; and stent-capturing means situated at said distal end region of said catheter assembly for releasably holding said stent during deployment, and grasping said stent during retrieval and/or repositioning.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
160 words
51 . Apparatus for deploying, repositioning and/or retrieving a stent, comprising: an elongate catheter assembly having a proximal end region and a distal end region; a thermal transfer device comprising a collapsible sleeve-type balloon member comprising a chamber which in its expanded condition has an annular cross-section, said balloon being situated at said distal end of said catheter assembly, said balloon member having an outer wall formed at least in part of heat transfer material; mechanical means for selectively expanding and collapsing said balloon member operable from said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; thermal transfer fluid circulating means for circulating a thermal transfer fluid from the proximal end of said catheter assembly into said chamber of said balloon member and back to said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; and stent-capturing means situated at said distal end region of said catheter assembly for releasably holding said stent during deployment, and grasping said stent during retrieval and/or repositioning.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
187 words
52 . Apparatus as recited in claim 51 wherein said catheter assembly comprises an inner core catheter and a relatively movable outer core catheter situated over said inner core catheter, said outer core catheter having a distal end which is situated proximally of the distal end of said inner core catheter, so that a projecting portion of said inner core catheter extends beyond said distal end of said outer core catheter; and wherein said mechanical means for expanding and collapsing said balloon member comprises a frame assembly comprising a plurality of wires, each wire having one end fixed to a distal end of said projecting portion of said inner core catheter, another end fixed to the distal end of said outer core catheter and a central region attached to said balloon member, whereby relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to shorten the projecting portion of said inner core bends said wires and expands said balloon member while relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to lengthen the projecting portion of said inner core catheter straightens said wires and collapses said balloon member.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
72 words
53 . Apparatus as recited in claim 51 wherein said stent-capturing means comprise a relatively movable stent-capturing sheath situated over said outer core catheter and a relatively moveable stent-receiving sheath situated over said stent capturing sheath; and hook members affixed to a distal end of said stent-capturing sheath which engage said stent-receiving sheath to move in a radial direction in response to relative movement between said stent-capturing sheath and said stent-receiving sheath.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
143 words
54 . Apparatus for deploying, repositioning and/or retrieving a stent, comprising: a catheter assembly having a proximal end region and a distal end region; a thermal transfer device comprising an expandable member comprising a chamber which in its expanded condition has a circular disk shape transverse cross-section, said expandable member having an outer wall formed at least in part of heat transfer material; mechanical means for selectively expanding and collapsing said expandable member operable from said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; thermal fluid circulating means for circulating a thermal transfer fluid from the proximal end region of said catheter assembly into said chamber of said expandable member and back to said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; and stent-capturing means situated at said distal end region of said catheter assembly for releasably capturing said stent during deployment, retrieval and/or repositioning.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
143 words
54 . Apparatus for deploying, repositioning and/or retrieving a stent, comprising: a catheter assembly having a proximal end region and a distal end region; a thermal transfer device comprising an expandable member comprising a chamber which in its expanded condition has a circular disk shape transverse cross-section, said expandable member having an outer wall formed at least in part of heat transfer material; mechanical means for selectively expanding and collapsing said expandable member operable from said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; thermal fluid circulating means for circulating a thermal transfer fluid from the proximal end region of said catheter assembly into said chamber of said expandable member and back to said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; and stent-capturing means situated at said distal end region of said catheter assembly for releasably capturing said stent during deployment, retrieval and/or repositioning.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
184 words
55 . Apparatus as recited in claim 54 , comprising: an inner core catheter and a relatively movable outer core catheter situated over said inner core catheter, said outer core catheter having a distal end which is situated proximally of the distal end of said inner core catheter, so that a projecting portion of said inner core catheter extends beyond said distal end of said outer core catheter; and wherein said mechanical means for expanding and collapsing said expandable member comprises a frame assembly comprising a plurality of wires, each wire having one end fixed to a distal end of said projecting portion of said inner core catheter, another end fixed to the distal end of said outer core catheter and a central region attached to said expandable member, whereby relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to shorten the projecting portion of said inner core bends said wires and expands said expandable member while relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to lengthen the projecting portion of said inner core catheter straightens said wires and collapses said balloon member.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
67 words
56 . Apparatus as recited in claim 54 wherein said stent-capturing means comprise a stent-capturing sheath situated over said outer core catheter and a stent-receiving sheath situated over said stent-capturing sheath; and stent-capturing hooks affixed to a distal end of said stent-capturing sheath which engage said stent-receiving sheath to move in a radial direction in response to relative movement between said stent-capturing sheath and said stent-receiving sheath.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
161 words
57 . Apparatus for deploying, retrieving and/or repositioning a stent, comprising: a catheter assembly having proximal and distal end regions; a thermal transfer device comprising a collapsible balloon member comprising a chamber which in its expanded condition includes at least one pair of radially and axially extending opposed wall members extending longitudinally between said outer wall of said balloon member and said catheter assembly, said pair of opposed wall members at least in part forming said chamber and defining a radial space external of said chamber therebetween; mechanical means for selectively expanding and collapsing said balloon member operable from said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; thermal transfer fluid circulating means for circulating a thermal fluid from said proximal end of said catheter assembly into said chamber of said balloon member and back to said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; and stent-capturing means situated at said catheter assembly for releasably capturing said stent during deployment, retrieval and/or repositioning.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
161 words
57 . Apparatus for deploying, retrieving and/or repositioning a stent, comprising: a catheter assembly having proximal and distal end regions; a thermal transfer device comprising a collapsible balloon member comprising a chamber which in its expanded condition includes at least one pair of radially and axially extending opposed wall members extending longitudinally between said outer wall of said balloon member and said catheter assembly, said pair of opposed wall members at least in part forming said chamber and defining a radial space external of said chamber therebetween; mechanical means for selectively expanding and collapsing said balloon member operable from said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; thermal transfer fluid circulating means for circulating a thermal fluid from said proximal end of said catheter assembly into said chamber of said balloon member and back to said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; and stent-capturing means situated at said catheter assembly for releasably capturing said stent during deployment, retrieval and/or repositioning.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
186 words
58 . Apparatus as recited in claim 57 wherein said catheter assembly comprises an inner core catheter and a relatively movable outer core catheter situated over said inner core catheter, said outer core catheter having a distal end which is situated proximally of the distal end of said inner core catheter, so that a projecting portion of said inner core catheter extends beyond said distal end of said outer core catheter; and wherein said mechanical means for expanding and collapsing said balloon comprises a frame assembly including a plurality of wires, each wire having one end fixed to a distal end of said projecting portion of said inner core catheter, another end fixed to the distal end of said outer core catheter and a central region attached to said balloon member, whereby relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to shorten the projecting portion of said inner core bends said wires and expands said balloon member while relative movement of said inner and outer core catheter to lengthen the projecting portion of said inner core catheter straightens said wires and collapses said balloon member.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
34 words
59 , Apparatus as recited in claim 57 wherein said stent-capturing means comprise at least one hook member situated in said radial space defined by said opposed radial wall members of said balloon member.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
49 words
60 . Apparatus as recited in claim 57 wherein said catheter assembly comprises at least one core catheter; and wherein said circulating means comprise lumens extending between said proximal and distal end regions of said core catheter and opening into the interior of said chamber of said balloon member.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
122 words
61 . Apparatus as recited in claim 57 wherein said catheter assembly comprises an inner core catheter and a relatively moveable outer core catheter situated over said inner core catheter, said outer core catheter having a distal end which is situated proximally of the distal end of said inner core catheter, so that a projecting portion of said inner core catheter extends beyond said distal end of said outer core catheter; and wherein said balloon has a distal end sealingly fixed to said projecting portion of said inner core catheter and a proximal end in sealingly engagement with the distal end of said outer core catheter; and wherein said circulating means comprises a lumen formed between the inner and outer core catheters.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
164 words
62 . Apparatus for deploying, retrieving and/or repositioning a stent, comprising: an elongate catheter assembly having proximal and distal end regions; a thermal transfer device operatively connected to said catheter assembly, said thermal transfer device comprising a collapsible balloon comprising a chamber which in its expanded condition comprises an outer chamber portion having an outer wall formed at least in part of heat transfer material, and an inner chamber portion in fluid communication with said outer chamber portion; mechanical means for selectively expanding and collapsing said balloon operable from said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; thermal fluid circulating means for circulating a thermal fluid from the proximal end of said catheter assembly into said outer chamber portion of said balloon and back to said proximal end region of said catheter assembly from said inner chamber portion of said balloon; and stent-capturing means situated at said distal end region of said catheter assembly for releasably capturing said stent during deployment, retrieval and/or repositioning.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
164 words
62 . Apparatus for deploying, retrieving and/or repositioning a stent, comprising: an elongate catheter assembly having proximal and distal end regions; a thermal transfer device operatively connected to said catheter assembly, said thermal transfer device comprising a collapsible balloon comprising a chamber which in its expanded condition comprises an outer chamber portion having an outer wall formed at least in part of heat transfer material, and an inner chamber portion in fluid communication with said outer chamber portion; mechanical means for selectively expanding and collapsing said balloon operable from said proximal end region of said catheter assembly; thermal fluid circulating means for circulating a thermal fluid from the proximal end of said catheter assembly into said outer chamber portion of said balloon and back to said proximal end region of said catheter assembly from said inner chamber portion of said balloon; and stent-capturing means situated at said distal end region of said catheter assembly for releasably capturing said stent during deployment, retrieval and/or repositioning.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
186 words
63 . Apparatus as recited in claim 62 wherein said catheter assembly comprises an inner core catheter and a relatively movable outer core catheter situated over said inner core catheter, said outer core catheter having a distal end which is situated proximally of the distal end of said inner core catheter, so that a projecting portion of said inner core catheter extends beyond said distal end of said outer core catheter; and wherein said mechanical means for expanding and collapsing said balloon member comprises a frame assembly comprising a plurality of wires, each wire having one end fixed to the distal end of said projecting portion of said inner core catheter, another end fixed to the distal end of said outer core catheter and a mid-region attached to said balloon member, whereby relative movement of said inner and outer core catheters to shorten the projecting portion of said inner core bends said wires and expands said balloon member while relative movement of said inner and outer core catheter to lengthen the projecting portion of said inner core catheter straightens said wires and collapses said balloon member.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
72 words
64 . Apparatus as recited in claim 62 wherein said stent-capturing means comprise a relatively movable stent-capturing sheath situated over said outer core catheter and a relatively moveable stent-receiving sheath situated over said stent-capturing sheath; and hook members affixed to a distal end of said stent-capturing sheath which engage said stent receiving sheath to move in a radial direction in response to relative movement between said stent-capturing sheath and said stent-receiving sheath.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
122 words
65 . Apparatus as recited in claim 62 wherein said catheter assembly comprises an inner core catheter and a relatively moveable outer core catheter situated over said inner core catheter, said outer core catheter having a distal end which is situated proximally of the distal end of said inner core catheter, so that a projecting portion of said inner core catheter extends beyond said distal end of said outer core catheter; and where said balloon has a distal end sealingly fixed to said projecting portion of said inner core catheter and a proximal end in sealing engagement with the distal end of said outer core catheter, and wherein said circulating means comprise a lumen formed between the inner and outer core catheter.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
70 words
66 . Apparatus for deploying and/or retrieving and/or repositioning a stent having a shape memory, comprising an elongate catheter assembly having a proximal end region and a distal end region; and a thermal transfer device operatively associated with said catheter assembly, said thermal transfer device comprising means for effecting local heat transfer with a stent being deployed, retrieved and/or repositioned by said apparatus to control the temperature of the stent.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
70 words
66 . Apparatus for deploying and/or retrieving and/or repositioning a stent having a shape memory, comprising an elongate catheter assembly having a proximal end region and a distal end region; and a thermal transfer device operatively associated with said catheter assembly, said thermal transfer device comprising means for effecting local heat transfer with a stent being deployed, retrieved and/or repositioned by said apparatus to control the temperature of the stent.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
38 words
67 . Apparatus as recited in claim 66 further including a stent-capturing device operatively associated with said catheter assembly, said stent-capturing device comprising means for releasably holding a stent during its deployment and/or grabbing during repositioning and/or retrieving.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
40 words
68 . Apparatus as recited in clam 66 wherein said thermal transfer device includes a thermal transfer surface, and means for positioning said thermal transfer surface in local thermal transfer relationship with a stent during its deployment, retrieval and/or repositioning.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
40 words
68 . Apparatus as recited in clam 66 wherein said thermal transfer device includes a thermal transfer surface, and means for positioning said thermal transfer surface in local thermal transfer relationship with a stent during its deployment, retrieval and/or repositioning.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
31 words
69 . Apparatus as recited in claim 68 wherein said thermal transfer device includes a chamber defined at least in part by a thermal transfer wall having said thermal transfer surface.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
32 words
70 . Apparatus as recited in claim 66 wherein said thermal transfer device includes an adjustable member structured and arranged to expand and collapse between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
65 words
71 . Apparatus as recited in claim 69 wherein said thermal transfer device further includes means for circulating a thermal transfer fluid through said chamber for transferring thermal energy between said fluid and the stent through said thermal transfer wall when said thermal transfer wall is in local thermal transfer relationship with the stent, and means for adjusting the temperature of the thermal transfer fluid.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
30 words
72 . Apparatus as recited in claim 71 wherein said means for adjusting the temperature of the thermal transfer fluid are situated at the proximal end of the catheter assembly.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
62 words
73 . Apparatus as recited in claim 71 wherein said means for adjusting the temperature of the thermal transfer fluid comprises at least one optic fiber, extending from the proximal end of said catheter assembly and terminating in said chamber of said thermal transfer device, for transmitting a laser beam into said chamber to adjust the temperature of the thermal transfer fluid.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
52 words
74 . Apparatus as recited in claim 71 wherein said means for adjusting the temperature of the thermal transfer fluid comprises an ultrasound probe situated in said chamber for communication with an ultrasonic generator for transmitting ultrasonic waves into the thermal transfer fluid to adjust the temperature of the thermal transfer fluid.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
48 words
75 . Apparatus as recited in claim 71 wherein said means for adjusting the temperature of the thermal transfer fluid comprises an electrical conductor situated in said chamber for coupling to means for generating a current in said conductor to adjust the temperature of the thermal transfer fluid.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
35 words
76 . Apparatus as recited in claim 75 wherein said electrical conductor is coiled, and wherein said current generating means comprise means for applying a magnetic field from an external source to said electrical conductor.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
25 words
77 . Apparatus as recited in claim 68 wherein said thermal transfer device further includes means for adjusting the temperature of the thermal transfer surface.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
38 words
78 . Apparatus as recited in claim 77 wherein said means for adjusting the temperature of the thermal transfer surface comprises at least one electrical conductor coupled to said thermal transfer surface for connection to current generating means.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
39 words
79 . Apparatus as recited in claim 78 wherein said electrical conductor is formed in a spiral-shape on said thermal transfer surface, and wherein said current generating means comprise means for applying a magnetic field to said electrical conductor.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
54 words
80 . Apparatus as recited in claim 77 wherein said means for adjusting the temperature of the thermal transfer device comprises at least one optic fiber, extending from the proximal end of said catheter assembly and terminating on said thermal transfer surface, for transmitting a laser beam along and around said thermal transfer surface.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
26 words
81 . Apparatus as recited in claim 66 wherein said thermal transfer device comprises at least one conductive wire surface situated on said thermal transfer surface.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
43 words
82 . Apparatus as recited in claim 30 further including a stent-capturing device situated in said at least one longitudinal fold for releasably holding a stent situated on said expandable member during deployment, and releasably grasping said stent during its retrieving and/or repositioning.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
43 words
83 . Apparatus as recited in claim 36 further including a stent-capturing device situated in said at least one longitudinal fold for releasably holding a stent situated on said expandable member during deployment, and releasably grasping said stent during its retrieving and/or repositioning.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
29 words
84 . Apparatus as recited in claim 47 , wherein said engaging means comprise bridging means extending across said radial space between said opposed pair of radially extending walls.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
51 words
85 . Apparatus as recited in claim 57 wherein said balloon member further includes means situated within said radial space for engaging said stent-capturing means upon expansion of said balloon member to its expanded condition and to move said capturing means upon collapse of said balloon member to its collapsed condition.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
43 words
86 . Apparatus as recited in claim 70 wherein said adjustable member comprises an adjustable wire frame including a plurality of wires formed from electrically conductive material, and further including means for passing an electrical current through said wires to heat the same.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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