US6428566B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible hoop and link sheath for a stent delivery system
Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc
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Filing: 2000-10-31
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Granted: 2002-08-06
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Expires: 2020-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A delivery sheath including a series of longitudinally spaced apart retainer rings interconnected by flexible links. This configuration provides for sections of reduced cross-sectional area along the length of the sheath, thus increasing flexibility in those sections and in the overall sheath. The reduction of the cross-sectional area of the sheath also effectively reduces the area of contact between the inside surface of the sheath and the outside surface of the compressed stent. This reduction in contact area serves to reduce the frictional force generated as the sheath is retracted relative to the stent during deployment.
Inventors
- 👤 Vivianne M. Holt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/95; A61F2/962; A61F2/966; A61F2/958
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A flexible stent delivery system, comprising: an elongated flexible inner member having a stent mounting region for receiving a stent in a delivery configuration; a deployment sheath including a plurality of retainer rings spaced longitudinally apart with flexible links connecting the rings together, the deployment sheath being coaxially disposed over the stent mounting region to form an annular space for mounting the stent in the delivery configuration; and means for moving the deployment sheath longitudinally along the inner member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A flexible stent delivery system, comprising: an elongated flexible inner member having a stent mounting region for receiving a stent in a delivery configuration; a deployment sheath including a plurality of retainer rings spaced longitudinally apart with flexible links connecting the rings together, the deployment sheath being coaxially disposed over the stent mounting region to form an annular space for mounting the stent in the delivery configuration; and means for moving the deployment sheath longitudinally along the inner member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 1 , wherein: the retainer rings have an inner surface and and outer surface and include low friction material on the inner surface for providing low frictional contact with the stent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 1 , wherein: the retainer rings and links are constructed from metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 1 , wherein: the retainer rings and links are constructed from a polymer material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 1 , wherein: the retainer rings and links are constructed from a fiber material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 1 , wherein: the deployment sheath includes three retainer rings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 1 , wherein: the links are configured with a circular cross-section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 1 , wherein: the retainer rings are configured to cooperate with the stent in the compressed delivery configuration to exert a predetermined frictional force resisting relative movement therebetween; and the links are configured with sufficient column strength to maintain the retainer rings spaced longitudinally apart as the delivery apparatus is advanced distally within a body lumen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 1 , wherein: the hoop strength of the retainer rings and the flexible links is sufficient to maintain the stent in the delivery configuration; and the longitudinal lengths of the retainer rings and links in combination are sufficient to cover the length of the stent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 1 , wherein: means for moving the deployment sheath is an outer tubular member coaxially disposed and moveable over the inner member that is attached to the deployment sheath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 10 , wherein: the links are symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis of the outer tubular member and are longitudinally disposed between the retainer rings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 10 , wherein: the links include filaments symmetrically arranged about the lonitudinal axis of the outer tubular member and continuous from one end of the deployment sheath to an opposite end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 1 , wherein: the stent mounting region is an expandable member and deployment of the stent is achieved by expansion of the expandable member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 1 , wherein: the flexible links are disposed to contract the stent and the retainer rings are placed around the flexible links.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flexible stent delivery system of claim 10 , wherein: the deployment sheath has a diameter greater than the diameter of the outer tubular member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
A flexible sheath for use in conjunction with a stent delivery apparatus comprising: a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart retainer rings; and flexible links connecting the retainer rings together; the sheath slidably movable in a longitudinal direction about a stent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A flexible sheath for use in conjunction with a stent delivery apparatus comprising: a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart retainer rings; and flexible links connecting the retainer rings together; the sheath slidably movable in a longitudinal direction about a stent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The flexible sheath of claim 16 , wherein: the retainer rings have an inner surface and an outer surface and are configured with low friction material on the inner surface for low frictional contact with the stent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The flexible sheath of claim 16 , wherein: the retainer rings and links are constructed from metal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flexible sheath of claim 16 , wherein: the retainer rings and links are constructed from a polymer material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A flexible sheath of claim 16 , wherein: the retainer rings and links are constructed from a fiber material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The flexible sheath of claim 16 that includes: three retainer rings.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flexible sheath of claim 16 , wherein: the links are configured with a circular cross-section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
61 words
The flexible sheath of claim 16 , wherein: the links are configured with sufficient column strength to maintain the position of the retainer rings relative to the stent as the stent delivery apparatus is advanced distally within a body lumen; and the links are configured with sufficient tensile strength to enable the retainer rings to move proximally to deploy the stent.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The flexible sheath of claim 16 , wherein: the links are symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis of the sheath and are longitudinally disposed on an inner surface of the retainer rings.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The flexible sheath of claim 16 , wherein: the links include filaments symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis of the sheath that are continuous from one end of the sheath to an other end.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-05 | 2006-02-04 | 2006-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-05 | 2010-02-04 | 2010-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-05 | 2014-02-04 | 2014-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |