Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
An endovascular support device for implantation in a vessel within the human body comprising: at least one compressible stent means mounted on a balloon of a balloon catheter; and wherein said at least one compressible stent means is encapsulated by said balloon of said balloon catheter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
An endovascular support device for implantation in a vessel within the human body comprising: at least one compressible stent means mounted on a balloon of a balloon catheter; and wherein said at least one compressible stent means is encapsulated by said balloon of said balloon catheter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The endovascular support device of claim 1 wherein the balloon is adhered to the compressible stent means when encapsulated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The endovascular support device of claim 1 further comprising at least one retainer means for facilitating delivery of the encapsulated stent means for implantation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The endovascular support device of claim 3 wherein the balloon forms the at least one retainer means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The endovascular support device of claim 1 wherein the stent means comprises at least one expandable member bent to form a plurality of substantially straight, non-overlapping sections connected by axial bends.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for treating narrowing of vessels within humans comprising the steps of: providing at least one endovascular support device; mounting the at least one endovascular support device on a balloon of a balloon catheter; anchoring the at least one endovascular support device to the balloon by encapsulation of the at least one endovascular support device by the balloon; advancing the balloon catheter and the at least one encapsulated endovascular support device to an area to be treated within the vessels; inflating the balloon of the balloon catheter to expand the at least one encapsulated endovascular support device within the area to be treated; and deflating the balloon of the balloon catheter so that the balloon pulls away from the at least one endovascular support device.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for treating narrowing of vessels within humans comprising the steps of: providing at least one endovascular support device; mounting the at least one endovascular support device on a balloon of a balloon catheter; anchoring the at least one endovascular support device to the balloon by encapsulation of the at least one endovascular support device by the balloon; advancing the balloon catheter and the at least one encapsulated endovascular support device to an area to be treated within the vessels; inflating the balloon of the balloon catheter to expand the at least one encapsulated endovascular support device within the area to be treated; and deflating the balloon of the balloon catheter so that the balloon pulls away from the at least one endovascular support device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
A delivery system for an endovascular support device comprising: a balloon catheter having a catheter body and a balloon; means for selectively inflating and deflating said balloon; at least one endovascular support device mounted on said balloon, said at least one endovascular support device having a first diameter for intraluminal delivery and a second expanded diameter for deployment in a vessel; wherein said balloon at least partially surrounds at least a portion of said at least one endovascular support device thereby securing said at least one endovascular support device to said balloon for intraluminal delivery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
95 words
A delivery system for an endovascular support device comprising: a balloon catheter having a catheter body and a balloon; means for selectively inflating and deflating said balloon; at least one endovascular support device mounted on said balloon, said at least one endovascular support device having a first diameter for intraluminal delivery and a second expanded diameter for deployment in a vessel; wherein said balloon at least partially surrounds at least a portion of said at least one endovascular support device thereby securing said at least one endovascular support device to said balloon for intraluminal delivery.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The delivery system according to claim 7 wherein the at least one endovascular support device is retained in indentations formed in said balloon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The delivery system according to claim 7 wherein the balloon adheres to the at least one endovascular support device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The delivery system according to claim 7 further comprising at least one retainer means for facilitating delivery of said at least one endovascular support device to a predetermined location within a vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The delivery system according to claim 10 wherein the balloon forms the at least one retainer means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The delivery system according to claim 7 wherein the at least one endovascular support means comprises at least one expandable member in the form of a plurality of substantially straight segments connected by axial bends.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The delivery system according to claim 12 wherein said at least one expandable member is mounted onto said balloon to have an interior diameter D i and wherein portions of said balloon protrude through said substantially straight segments to have a diameter greater than D i .
Claim 17
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for treating narrowing of vessels within humans comprising the steps of: introducing a stent delivery system into a vessel, the stent delivery system comprising at least one endovascular support device mounted on a balloon of a balloon catheter, the at least one endovasular support device anchored to the balloon by encapsulation of the at least one endovascular support device by the balloon; advancing the stent delivery system to an area to be treated within the vessels; inflating the balloon of the balloon catheter to expand the at least one encapsulated endovascular support device within the area to be treated; and deflating the balloon of the balloon catheter so that the balloon pulls away from the at least one endovascular support device.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for treating narrowing of vessels within humans comprising the steps of: introducing a stent delivery system into a vessel, the stent delivery system comprising at least one endovascular support device mounted on a balloon of a balloon catheter, the at least one endovasular support device anchored to the balloon by encapsulation of the at least one endovascular support device by the balloon; advancing the stent delivery system to an area to be treated within the vessels; inflating the balloon of the balloon catheter to expand the at least one encapsulated endovascular support device within the area to be treated; and deflating the balloon of the balloon catheter so that the balloon pulls away from the at least one endovascular support device.