Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An implantable endoprosthesis deployment system comprising: a flexible elongated tubular delivery catheter, said catheter having an inner lumen extending therethrough and an opening through said catheter in communication with said inner lumen; an elongated implantable radially expandable endoprosthesis positioned over said catheter, said endoprosthesis having a proximal end extent and an opposed distal end extent; a removable endoprosthesis support assembly for maintaining said endoprosthesis in a compressed state, said support assembly being located adjacent said catheter opening, said support assembly including an arm extending through said catheter opening into said inner lumen; and a release mechanism insertable through said inner lumen of said catheter, said release mechanism including a distal tip engageable with said arm of said support assembly, said release mechanism being manipulatable within said inner lumen so as to remove said support assembly from said endoprosthesis, permitting subsequent radial expansion of said endoprosthesis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
An implantable endoprosthesis deployment system comprising: a flexible elongated tubular delivery catheter, said catheter having an inner lumen extending therethrough and an opening through said catheter in communication with said inner lumen; an elongated implantable radially expandable endoprosthesis positioned over said catheter, said endoprosthesis having a proximal end extent and an opposed distal end extent; a removable endoprosthesis support assembly for maintaining said endoprosthesis in a compressed state, said support assembly being located adjacent said catheter opening, said support assembly including an arm extending through said catheter opening into said inner lumen; and a release mechanism insertable through said inner lumen of said catheter, said release mechanism including a distal tip engageable with said arm of said support assembly, said release mechanism being manipulatable within said inner lumen so as to remove said support assembly from said endoprosthesis, permitting subsequent radial expansion of said endoprosthesis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A deployment system as in claim 1, wherein said endoprosthesis includes a vascular graft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A deployment system as in claim 2, wherein said endoprosthesis includes a stent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A deployment system as in claim 1, wherein said support assembly includes a boot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A deployment system as in claim 1, wherein said support assembly includes a distal support member maintaining said distal end extent of said endoprosthesis in a compressed state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A deployment system as in claim 5, further comprising a proximal support member for removably maintaining said proximal end extent of said endoprosthesis in a compressed state, said proximal support member being anchored to said catheter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A deployment system as in claim 6, wherein said proximal end extent and said distal end extent of said endoprosthesis are separate members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A deployment system as in claim 1, wherein said release mechanism includes a release rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A deployment system as in claim 1, wherein said release mechanism includes a clip at said distal tip, said clip capable of attachment to said arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A deployment system as in claim 1, wherein said catheter includes a proximal portion and a distal portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A deployment system as in claim 10, wherein said proximal portion and said distal portion of said catheter are separate portions connected by a connector portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A deployment system as in claim 11, wherein said opening through said catheter is through said connector portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A deployment system as in claim 1, further comprising a guidewire insertable through said inner lumen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A deployment system as in claim 1, wherein said catheter includes a first inner lumen and a second inner lumen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A deployment system as in claim 14, wherein said opening extends through to said first inner lumen, said release mechanism is insertable through said first lumen, and said guidewire is insertable through said second lumen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A deployment system as in claim 1, further comprising a retractible outer sheath disposed over said catheter, said sheath further maintaining said endoprosthesis in a compressed state.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
213 words
A method of endoprosthetic deployment comprising: a. providing a deployment system comprising a flexible elongated tubular delivery catheter, said catheter having an inner lumen extending therethrough and an opening through said catheter in communication with said inner lumen; an elongated implantable radially expandable endoprosthesis positioned over said catheter, said endoprosthesis having a proximal end extent and an opposed distal end extent; a removable endoprosthesis support assembly for maintaining said endoprosthesis in a compressed state, said support assembly being located adjacent said catheter opening and said support assembly including an arm extending through said catheter opening into said inner lumen; and a release mechanism insertable through said inner lumen of said catheter, said release mechanism including a distal tip engageable with said arm of said support assembly, said release mechanism being manipulatable within said inner lumen so as to remove said support assembly from said endoprosthesis, permitting subsequent radial expansion of said endoprosthesis; b. inserting said deployment system intraluminally; c. positioning said deployment system at an area of implantation; d. engaging said release mechanism with said arm of said support member; e. manipulating said release mechanism within said inner lumen, thereby removing said support member from said endoprosthesis and permitting radial expansion thereof; and f. removing said deployment system from said area of implantation.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
213 words
A method of endoprosthetic deployment comprising: a. providing a deployment system comprising a flexible elongated tubular delivery catheter, said catheter having an inner lumen extending therethrough and an opening through said catheter in communication with said inner lumen; an elongated implantable radially expandable endoprosthesis positioned over said catheter, said endoprosthesis having a proximal end extent and an opposed distal end extent; a removable endoprosthesis support assembly for maintaining said endoprosthesis in a compressed state, said support assembly being located adjacent said catheter opening and said support assembly including an arm extending through said catheter opening into said inner lumen; and a release mechanism insertable through said inner lumen of said catheter, said release mechanism including a distal tip engageable with said arm of said support assembly, said release mechanism being manipulatable within said inner lumen so as to remove said support assembly from said endoprosthesis, permitting subsequent radial expansion of said endoprosthesis; b. inserting said deployment system intraluminally; c. positioning said deployment system at an area of implantation; d. engaging said release mechanism with said arm of said support member; e. manipulating said release mechanism within said inner lumen, thereby removing said support member from said endoprosthesis and permitting radial expansion thereof; and f. removing said deployment system from said area of implantation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 17, wherein said providing step a. further includes providing said support assembly including a distal support member for maintaining said distal end extent of said endoprosthesis in a compressed state.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 18, further comprising providing a proximal support member for removably maintaining said proximal end extent of said endoprosthesis in a compressed state, said proximal support member being anchored to said catheter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 19, wherein said removing step e. removes said distal support member, thereby permitting radial expansion of said distal end extent of said endoprosthesis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 17, wherein said providing step a. further includes providing said proximal end extent and said distal end extent of said endoprosthesis as separate members.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A deployment system as in claim 17, comprising providing a retractible outer sheath disposed over said catheter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A deployment system as in claim 22, further comprising the step of retracting said outer sheath after said positioning step c.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
151 words
A stent-prosthesis deployment system comprising: a flexible elongated tubular delivery catheter having a proximal portion, a distal portion, an inner lumen, and an opening through said catheter in communication with said inner lumen; an implantable prosthesis positioned over said catheter; a radially expandable stent supporting said prosthesis, said stent having a proximal end extent and an opposed distal end extent; a removable endoprosthesis support assembly for maintaining said stent in a compressed state, said support assembly being located adjacent said catheter opening, said support assembly further including an arm extending through said catheter opening into said inner lumen; and a release mechanism insertable through said inner lumen of said catheter, said release mechanism including a distal tip engageable with said arm of said support assembly, said release mechanism being manipulatable within said inner lumen so as to remove said support assembly from said stent, permitting subsequent radial expansion of said stent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
151 words
A stent-prosthesis deployment system comprising: a flexible elongated tubular delivery catheter having a proximal portion, a distal portion, an inner lumen, and an opening through said catheter in communication with said inner lumen; an implantable prosthesis positioned over said catheter; a radially expandable stent supporting said prosthesis, said stent having a proximal end extent and an opposed distal end extent; a removable endoprosthesis support assembly for maintaining said stent in a compressed state, said support assembly being located adjacent said catheter opening, said support assembly further including an arm extending through said catheter opening into said inner lumen; and a release mechanism insertable through said inner lumen of said catheter, said release mechanism including a distal tip engageable with said arm of said support assembly, said release mechanism being manipulatable within said inner lumen so as to remove said support assembly from said stent, permitting subsequent radial expansion of said stent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
A deployment system as in claim 24, wherein said prosthesis includes a vascular graft.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
A deployment system as in claim 24, wherein said support assembly includes a boot.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A deployment system as in claim 24, wherein said support assembly includes a distal support member maintaining said distal end extent of said stent in a compressed state.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
A deployment system as in claim 27, further comprising a proximal support member for removably maintaining said proximal end extent of said stent in a compressed state.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A deployment system as in claim 24, wherein said proximal end extent and said distal end extent of said stent are separate members.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
A deployment system as in claim 24, wherein said release mechanism includes a release rod.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
A deployment system as in claim 24, wherein said release mechanism includes a clip, said clip capable of attachment to said arm.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
A deployment system as in claim 24, wherein said proximal portion and said distal portion of said catheter are separate portions connected by a connector portion.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
A deployment system as in claim 32, wherein said opening through said catheter is through said connector portion.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
A deployment system as in claim 24, further comprising a guidewire insertable through said inner lumen.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
A deployment system as in claim 24, wherein said catheter includes a first inner lumen and a second inner lumen.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
A deployment system as in claim 24, wherein said opening extends through to said first inner lumen, said release mechanism is insertable through said first lumen, and said guidewire is insertable through said second lumen.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
A deployment system as in claim 24, further comprising a retractible outer sheath disposed over said catheter.