Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A delivery apparatus for a self-expanding stent, said apparatus comprising: a) an outer sheath, comprising an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends; b) an inner shaft located coaxially and slidably within said outer sheath, said inner shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said inner shaft further including at least two grooves disposed thereon; and c) a stop releasably affixed on an exterior surface of the inner shaft adjacent its proximal end, said stop being configured to allow said outer sheath to move a predetermined distance, thereby enabling partial deployment of a self-expanding stent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A delivery apparatus for a self-expanding stent, said apparatus comprising: a) an outer sheath, comprising an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends; b) an inner shaft located coaxially and slidably within said outer sheath, said inner shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said inner shaft further including at least two grooves disposed thereon; and c) a stop releasably affixed on an exterior surface of the inner shaft adjacent its proximal end, said stop being configured to allow said outer sheath to move a predetermined distance, thereby enabling partial deployment of a self-expanding stent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 said stop is semi-cylindrical and snap fits over said inner shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said stop has an outside diameter larger than an inside diameter of said outer sheath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
199 words
A stent delivery apparatus comprising: a) an outer sheath, comprising an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends; b) an inner shaft located coaxially within said outer sheath, said inner shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said inner shaft further including at least two grooves disposed therein; c) a stop releasably affixed on an exterior surface of the inner shaft adjacent its proximal end, said stop being configured to allow said outer sheath to move a predetermined distance, thereby enabling partial deployment of a self-expanding stent; and d) a substantially cylindrical self-expanding stent, located within said outer sheath, said self-expanding stent having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitdinal axis extending there between and an interior, said self-expanding stent further including at least two spaced apart longitudinal legs having a distal and proximal ends, said distal ends of said legs attached to said proximal end of said self-expanding stent, said legs extending proximally away from said self-expanding stent, each said leg including a flange adjacent its proximal end, said flanges are set within said grooves of said inner shaft, thereby releasably attaching said self-expanding expanding stent to said inner shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
199 words
A stent delivery apparatus comprising: a) an outer sheath, comprising an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends; b) an inner shaft located coaxially within said outer sheath, said inner shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said inner shaft further including at least two grooves disposed therein; c) a stop releasably affixed on an exterior surface of the inner shaft adjacent its proximal end, said stop being configured to allow said outer sheath to move a predetermined distance, thereby enabling partial deployment of a self-expanding stent; and d) a substantially cylindrical self-expanding stent, located within said outer sheath, said self-expanding stent having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitdinal axis extending there between and an interior, said self-expanding stent further including at least two spaced apart longitudinal legs having a distal and proximal ends, said distal ends of said legs attached to said proximal end of said self-expanding stent, said legs extending proximally away from said self-expanding stent, each said leg including a flange adjacent its proximal end, said flanges are set within said grooves of said inner shaft, thereby releasably attaching said self-expanding expanding stent to said inner shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein said stent is made from a super elastic Nickel-Titanium alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said flanges and said grooves are T-shaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said flanges fit completely within said grooves so that said stent adds no additional outside diameter size to said inner shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said legs extend distally and axially from said self-expanding stent when said self-expanding stent is deployed within a body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said flanges and said grooves are T-shaped.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said longitudinal legs are equally spaced about said proximal end of said expandable stent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said flanges on said longitudinal legs are substantially T-shaped.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said stop is semi-cylindrical and snap fits over said inner shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said stop has an outside diameter larger than an inside diameter of said outer sheath.