EP0442657A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Stent introducer system
Assignee: CR Bard Inc
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Filing: 1991-02-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A system for introducing a stent into a patient at a site of stenosis is disclosed. The system comprises a balloon catheter (10) having a stent (24) surrounding the balloon portion (20) of the catheter (10). At least one stent-retaining means is located adjacent to at least one end of the balloon (20) to retain the stent (24) in position on the catheter (10) until the balloon (20) is inflated. Upon inflation of the balloon (20), the stent (24) is expanded and the retention means releases the stent. The balloon (20) is then deflated and the catheter (10) is removed from the patient, leaving the expanded stent (24) in place.
Inventors
- 👤 Carol A. Ryan
- 👤 Kim I. Chiev
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/95; A61F2/958; A61F2002/9583; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A stent introducer system comprising: a catheter comprising a flexible elongate catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon located adjacent the distal end thereof; and at least one flexible end cap having a mounting sleeve affixed to the catheter shaft at a region adjacent one end of the balloon and an annular socket surrounding said one end of the balloon to thereby define an annular space between the balloon and the socket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 1 having two flexible end caps, each end cap having a mounting sleeve affixed to the catheter shaft at a region adjacent one end of the balloon and an annular socket surrounding said one end of the balloon to thereby define an annular space between the balloon and the socket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 1 having a proximal end cap affixed to the catheter shaft at a region adjacent the proximal end of the balloon, said proximal end cap having an annular socket surrounding the proximal end of the balloon to thereby define an annular space between the balloon and the socket; and a distal end cap having a mounting sleeve affixed to the cathether adjacent to the distal end of the balloon and an annular friction zone surrounding the distal portion of the balloon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 2 wherein each end cap includes a weakening means in the region between the mounting sleeve and the annular socket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 4 wherein the weakening means comprises at least one axial slit in the end cap in the region between the mounting sleeve and the annular socket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 4 wherein the weakening means comprises a region of increased inner diameter of the end cap, the region being located between the mounting sleeve and the annular socket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 1 which additionally comprises a sheath means surrounding the stent and a section of the cahteter shaft located proximally thereto; said sheath means being slideable in the proximal direction to expose the balloon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 7 wherein the sheath means comprises a polymeric cylinder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 8 wherein the sheath means comprises a polyethylene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 7 wherein the sheath has a lubricious surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
A stent introducer system comprising: a catheter comprising a flexible elongate catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon located adjacent the distal end thereof; an expandable stent surrounding at least a portion of the balloon; and at least one flexible end cap having a mounting sleeve affixed to the catheter shaft at a region adjacent one end of the balloon and an annular socket surrounding an end portion of the stent to prevent axial movement thereof; the apparatus being such that, upon expansion of the balloon, the stent is released from the end cap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 11 having two flexible end caps, each end cap having a mounting sleeve affixed to the catheter shaft at a region adjacent one end of the balloon and an annular socket surrounding an end portion of the stent to prevent axial movement thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 11 having a first end cap affixed to the catheter shaft adjacent the proximal portion of the balloon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 13 having a distal end cap having a mounting sleeve affixed to the catheter adjacent to the distal portion of the balloon and an annular friction zone surrounding the distal portion of the balloon and surrounded by a distal portion of the stent, the apparatus being such that, upon expansion of the balloon, the stent is released from the first end cap and the second end cap is released from the stent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 11 wherein the end cap includes a weakening means for assisting release of the stent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 15 wherein the weakening means comprises at least one axial slit in the end cap, the slit being located in a region between the mounting sleeve and the annular socket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 16 wherein the weakening means comprises four axial slits spaced evenly about the end cap.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 15 wherein the weakening means comprises a region of increased inner diameter of the end cap, the region being located between the mounting sleeve and the annular socket.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 11 wherein the end cap comprises a flexible elastomer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 11 which additionally comprises a sheath means surrounding the stent and a section of the catheter shaft located proximally thereto; said sheath means being slideable in the proximal direction to expose the stent prior to expansion thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 20 wherein the sheath means comprises a polymeric cylinder.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 21 wherein the sheath means comprises a polyethylene.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 20 wherein the sheath means has a lubricious surface.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of introducing a stent into a patient, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a stent introducer comprising: a catheter comprisng a flexible, elongate catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon located adjacent the distal end thereof; an expandable stent surrounding at least a portion of the balloon; and at least one flexible end cap having a mounting sleeve affixed to the catheter shaft at a region adjacent one end of the balloon and an annular socket surrounding an end portion of the stent to prevent axial movement thereof; b) inserting the stent introducer into a blood vessel of the patient; c) guiding the introducer to a selected site; d) inflating the balloon to thereby expand and seat the stent at the selected site; e) deflating the balloon; and f) withdrawing the introducer from the patient.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for introducing a stent into a patient, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a stent introducer comprising: a catheter comprising a flexible, elongate catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon located adjacent the distal end thereof; an expandable stent surrounding at least a portion of the balloon; at least one flexible end cap having a mounting sleeve affixed to the catheter shaft at a region adjacent one end of the balloon and an annular socket surrounding an end portion of the stent to prevent axial movement thereof; and a sheath means surrounding the stent and a section of the catheter shaft located proximally thereto, said sheath means being slideable in the proximal direction to expose the stent prior to expansion thereof; b) inserting the stent introducer into a blood vessel of the patient; c) guiding the introducer to a selected site; d) sliding the sheath in the proximal direction to expose the stent; e) inflating the balloon to thereby expand and seat the stent at the selected site; f) deflating the balloon; and g) withdrawing the introducer from the patient.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
50 words
A stent introducer systen comprising; a catheter comprising a flexible elongate cathether shaft having an inflatable balloon located adjacent the distal end thereof; and at least one flexible end cap mounted on the catheter shaft in the interior of the balloon at a region adjacent one end of the balloon.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 26 having two flexible end caps, each mounted on the catheter shaft in the interior of the balloon, one each of said end caps being located adjacent the proximal and distal ends of the balloon.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
86 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 26 having a first flexible end cap mounted to the catheter shaft in the interior of the balloon at a region adjacent one end of the balloon and a second flexible end cap having a mounting sleeve affixed to the catheter shaft at a region adjacent the other end of the balloon, the second end cap having an annular socket surrounding said other end of the balloon to thereby define an annular space between the balloon and the socket.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 26 wherein each end cap is wider at one end than at the other end and contains at least one slit extending along a portion of the end cap from the wider end toward the other end.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 26 wherein at least one end cap is fabricated from a shape memory polymer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
92 words
A stent introducer system comprising: a catheter comprising a flexible elongate catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon located adjacent the distal end thereof; an expandable stent surrounding at least a portion of the balloon; and at least one flexible end cap mounted on the catheter shaft in the interior of the balloon at a region adjacent one end of the balloon, the end cap defining a shoulder on the exterior surface of the balloon when the balloon is deflated, to maintain the position of the stent on the exterior of the balloon.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
79 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 31 having two flexible end caps, each mounted on the catheter shaft in the interior of the balloon, one each of said end caps being located adjacent the proximal and distal ends of the balloon, said end caps defining a pair of shoulders upon the exterior surface of the balloon when the balloon is deflated, the shoulders defining, in the region between them, the portion of the balloon surrounded by the stent.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
44 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 31 wherein each end cap is wider at one end than at the other end and contains at least one slit extending along a portion of the end cap from the wider end toward the other end.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
A stent introducer system as in claim 31 wherein at least one end cap is fabricated from a shape memory polymer.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for introducing a stent into a patient, the method comprising: a) providing a stent introducer comprising: a catheter comprising a flexible elongate catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon located adjacent the distal end thereof; an expandable stent surrounding at least a portion of the balloon; and at least one flexible end cap mounted on the catheter shaft in the interior of the balloon at a region adjacent one end of the balloon; b) inserting the stent introducer into a blood vessel of the patient; c) guiding the introducer to a selected site; d) inflating the balloon to thereby expand and seat the stent at the selected site; e) deflating the balloon; and f) withdrawing the introducer from the patient.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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