Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A delivery apparatus for a self-expanding stent, said apparatus comprising: a) a sheath including an elongated substantially tubular member having distal and proximal ends, a proximal section having a first outside diameter, an enlarged section proximate said distal end having a second outside diameter, the second outside diameter being greater than the first outside diameter, said sheath having an increasing durometer along its length from its distal end to its proximal end; b) a shaft located coaxially within said sheath, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said shaft further including a radiopaque stop attached thereto, said stop being positioned proximate to said distal end of said sheath; c) a radiopaque fluid injection annular gap extending between a guiding catherer having an inside diameter greater than the first outside diameter of said proximal section of said sheath; and d) a self-expanding stent located within said enlarged section of said sheath, said stent making frictional contact with said sheath, said shaft disposed coaxially within a lumen of said stent, whereby said stent makes contact with said stop during deployment of said stent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A delivery apparatus for a self-expanding stent, said apparatus comprising: a) a sheath including an elongated substantially tubular member having distal and proximal ends, a proximal section having a first outside diameter, an enlarged section proximate said distal end having a second outside diameter, the second outside diameter being greater than the first outside diameter, said sheath having an increasing durometer along its length from its distal end to its proximal end; b) a shaft located coaxially within said sheath, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said shaft further including a radiopaque stop attached thereto, said stop being positioned proximate to said distal end of said sheath; c) a radiopaque fluid injection annular gap extending between a guiding catherer having an inside diameter greater than the first outside diameter of said proximal section of said sheath; and d) a self-expanding stent located within said enlarged section of said sheath, said stent making frictional contact with said sheath, said shaft disposed coaxially within a lumen of said stent, whereby said stent makes contact with said stop during deployment of said stent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The delivery apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sheath comprises an outer polymeric layer, and inner polymeric layer, and a wire reinforcing layer between said inner and outer layers, said reinforcing layer being more rigid than said inner and outer layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said wire reinforcing layer comprises braids of metallic wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said wire comprises stainless steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The delivery apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said distal end of said shaft extends distal to said distal end of said sheath, and said proximal end of said shaft extends proximal to said proximal end of said sheath.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stop makes no substantial frictional contact with said sheath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shaft has a proximal portion made from a metallic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said proximal portion is made from material selected from a group comprising: stainless steel, nickel titanium alloys.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stent is made from a superelastic nickel-titanium alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shaft further includes a distal tip, said distal tip has a proximal end having an outer diameter which is not less than an outer diameter of said sheath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said distal tip is radiopaque.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said distal end of said shaft has a radio-opaque marker disposed thereon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sheath has an increasing durometer along its length from its distal end to its proximal end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shaft further includes a reinforcing sleeve attached to said shaft immediately proximal to said stop.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
188 words
A delivery apparatus for a self-expanding stent, said apparatus comprising: a) a sheath comprising an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends, a proximal section having a first outside diameter, an enlarged section proximate said distal end having a second outside diameter and a tapered section therebetween, the second outside diameter being greater than the first outside diameter, said sheath having an increasing durometer along its length from its distal end to its proximal end; b) a shaft located coaxially within said sheath, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said shaft further including a radiopaue stop attached thereto, said stop being positioned proximate to said distal end of said sheath; c) a radiopaque fluid injection annular gap extending between a guiding catherer having an inside diameter greater than the first outside diameter of said proximal section of said sheath; and d) a self-expanding stent located within said enlarged section of said sheath, said stent making frictional contact with said sheath, said shaft disposed coaxially within a lumen of said stent, whereby said stent makes contact with said stop during deployment of said stent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
188 words
A delivery apparatus for a self-expanding stent, said apparatus comprising: a) a sheath comprising an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends, a proximal section having a first outside diameter, an enlarged section proximate said distal end having a second outside diameter and a tapered section therebetween, the second outside diameter being greater than the first outside diameter, said sheath having an increasing durometer along its length from its distal end to its proximal end; b) a shaft located coaxially within said sheath, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said shaft further including a radiopaue stop attached thereto, said stop being positioned proximate to said distal end of said sheath; c) a radiopaque fluid injection annular gap extending between a guiding catherer having an inside diameter greater than the first outside diameter of said proximal section of said sheath; and d) a self-expanding stent located within said enlarged section of said sheath, said stent making frictional contact with said sheath, said shaft disposed coaxially within a lumen of said stent, whereby said stent makes contact with said stop during deployment of said stent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
171 words
A delivery apparatus for a self-expanding stent, said apparatus comprising: a) a sheath comprising an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends, a proximal section having a first outside diameter, an enlarged section proximate said distal end having a second outside diameter and a tapered section therebetween, the second outside diameter being greater than the first outside diameter; b) a shaft located coaxially within said sheath, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said shaft further including a radiopaue stop attached thereto, said stop being positioned proximate to said distal end of said sheath; c) a radiopaque fluid injection annular gap extending between a guiding catheter having an inside diameter greater than the first outside diameter of said proximal section of said sheath; and d) a self-expanding stent located within said enlarged section of said sheath, said stent making frictional contact with said sheath, said shaft disposed coaxially within a lumen of said stent, whereby said stent makes contact with said stop during deployment of said stent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
171 words
A delivery apparatus for a self-expanding stent, said apparatus comprising: a) a sheath comprising an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends, a proximal section having a first outside diameter, an enlarged section proximate said distal end having a second outside diameter and a tapered section therebetween, the second outside diameter being greater than the first outside diameter; b) a shaft located coaxially within said sheath, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said shaft further including a radiopaue stop attached thereto, said stop being positioned proximate to said distal end of said sheath; c) a radiopaque fluid injection annular gap extending between a guiding catheter having an inside diameter greater than the first outside diameter of said proximal section of said sheath; and d) a self-expanding stent located within said enlarged section of said sheath, said stent making frictional contact with said sheath, said shaft disposed coaxially within a lumen of said stent, whereby said stent makes contact with said stop during deployment of said stent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The delivery apparatus of claim 16 wherein said sheath comprises an outer polymeric layer, and inner polymeric layer, and a wire reinforcing layer between said inner and outer layers, said reinforcing layer being more rigid than said inner and outer layers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said wire reinforcing layer comprises braids of metallic wire.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said wire comprises stainless steel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The delivery apparatus of claim 16 , wherein said distal end of said shaft extends distal to said distal end of said sheath, and said proximal end of said shaft extends proximal to said proximal end of said sheath.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said stop makes no substantial frictional contact with said sheath.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said shaft has a proximal portion made from a metallic material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said proximal portion is made from material selected from a group comprising stainless steel, nickel titanium alloys.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said stent is made from a superelastic nickel-titanium alloy.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said shaft further includes a distal tip, said distal tip has a proximal end having an outer diameter which is not less than an outer diameter of said sheath.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said distal tip is radiopaque.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said distal end of said shaft has a radio-opaque marker disposed thereon.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said sheath has an increasing durometer along its length from its distal end to its proximal end.