Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A stent delivery system for implantation of a stent in a vessel comprising: an elongate flexible catheter having proximal and distal ends; a stent having proximal and distal ends, the stent surrounding the flexible catheter near its distal end, the stent being in a delivery configuration where the stent has a reduced radius along its entire axial length; a retractable sheath for retaining the stent in the delivery configuration and for deploying the stent, the sheath holding the self-expanding stent in its delivery configuration against the outwardly urging force of the self-expanding stent; a retraction device for retracting the retractable sheath, the retraction device comprising a piston housing and a piston contained therein, the piston actatable by pressurized fluid supplied to at least a portion of the piston housing by an inflation lumen, the retraction device further comprising a connecting member, one end of which connects to the retractable sheath, the other end of the connecting member connecting to the piston, whereby the retractable sheath may be retracted by supplying a fluid under pressure to the inflation lumen so as to displace the piston, the piston in turn displacing the retractable sheath so as to expose at least a portion of the stent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A stent delivery system for implantation of a stent in a vessel comprising: an elongate flexible catheter having proximal and distal ends; a stent having proximal and distal ends, the stent surrounding the flexible catheter near its distal end, the stent being in a delivery configuration where the stent has a reduced radius along its entire axial length; a retractable sheath for retaining the stent in the delivery configuration and for deploying the stent, the sheath holding the self-expanding stent in its delivery configuration against the outwardly urging force of the self-expanding stent; a retraction device for retracting the retractable sheath, the retraction device comprising a piston housing and a piston contained therein, the piston actatable by pressurized fluid supplied to at least a portion of the piston housing by an inflation lumen, the retraction device further comprising a connecting member, one end of which connects to the retractable sheath, the other end of the connecting member connecting to the piston, whereby the retractable sheath may be retracted by supplying a fluid under pressure to the inflation lumen so as to displace the piston, the piston in turn displacing the retractable sheath so as to expose at least a portion of the stent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stent delivery system of claim 1 wherein the connecting member comprises a wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The stent delivery system of claim 1 wherein the piston housing is sealed at one end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The stent delivery system of claim 1 wherein the piston housing is coaxial with the catheter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The stent delivery system of claim 1 wherein the stent is self-expandable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stent delivery system of claim 1 having only one piston actuatable by pressurized fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
128 words
The stent delivery system of claim 1 further comprising a second retractable sheath for retaining the stent in the delivery configuration and for deploying the stent, the second sheath holding the self-expanding stent in its delivery configuration against the outwardly urging force of the self-expanding stent; a second retraction device for retracting the second retractable sheath, the second retraction device comprising a second piston housing and a second piston contained therein, the second piston actuatable by a pressurized fluid supplied to at least a portion of the second piston housing from the first piston housing, the second retraction device further comprising a second connecting member, one end of which connects to the second retractable sheath, the other end of the second connecting member connecting to the second piston.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stent delivery system of claim 7 wherein the second connecting member comprises a wire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The stent delivery system of claim 7 wherein the first and second pistons move in opposing directions on retraction of the first and second retractable sheaths.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The stent delivery system of claim 7 wherein the stent is self-expandable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
A method for delivering a stent to a desired location in a bodily lumen using the stent delivery system of claim 1 comprising the steps of: providing a stent delivery system as in claim 1; inserting at least a portion of the stent delivery system in a bodily vessel; advancing the stent to a desired bodily location; providing a source of fluid; supplying the fluid under pressure to the housing so as to actuate the piston and retract the sheath; deploying the stent; withdrawing the stent delivery system from the bodily vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
147 words
A medical device delivery system for delivering a medical device to a desired location in a bodily lumen comprising an elongate flexible catheter having proximal and distal ends, the catheter having a medical device mounting region near its distal end for mounting thereon a medical device; a retractable sheath covering the medical device mounting region; a retraction device for retracting the retractable sheath, the retraction device comprising a piston housing and a piston contained therein, the piston in fluid communication with an inflation lumen, a connecting member, one end of which connects to the retractable sheath, the other end of the connecting member connecting to the piston, whereby the retractable sheath may be retracted by supplying a fluid under pressure to the inflation lumen so as to displace the piston, the piston in turn displacing the retractable sheath from its position over the medical device mounting region.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
147 words
A medical device delivery system for delivering a medical device to a desired location in a bodily lumen comprising an elongate flexible catheter having proximal and distal ends, the catheter having a medical device mounting region near its distal end for mounting thereon a medical device; a retractable sheath covering the medical device mounting region; a retraction device for retracting the retractable sheath, the retraction device comprising a piston housing and a piston contained therein, the piston in fluid communication with an inflation lumen, a connecting member, one end of which connects to the retractable sheath, the other end of the connecting member connecting to the piston, whereby the retractable sheath may be retracted by supplying a fluid under pressure to the inflation lumen so as to displace the piston, the piston in turn displacing the retractable sheath from its position over the medical device mounting region.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The medical device delivery system of claim 12 wherein the medical device is a stent and the stent is mounted on the medical device mounting region of the catheter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The medical device delivery system of claim 13 wherein the stent is self-expandable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
134 words
A method for delivering a medical device to a desired location in a bodily lumen using the apparatus of claim 12 comprising the steps of: providing a medical device delivery system as in claim 12; providing a medical device for placement about the medical device mounting region; placing the medical device about the medical device mounting region of the medical device delivery system and covering the medical device with the retractable sheath; inserting at least a portion of the medical device delivery apparatus in a bodily vessel; advancing the medical device to a desired bodily location; providing a source of fluid; supplying the fluid under pressure to the first housing so as to actuate the piston and retract the sheath; deploying the medical device; withdrawing the medical device delivery apparatus from the bodily vessel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the medical device is a stent.