Delivery System And Method Of Use For Deployment Of Self-Expandable Vascular Device

Abstract

A delivery system for a self-expandable prosthesis includes a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a balloon positioned on the distal end of the catheter, a self-expandable prosthesis positioned on the balloon, and a sheath at least partially surrounding the self-expandable prosthesis. Upon inflation of the balloon, the sheath opens in a controllable manner, allowing the self-expandable prosthesis to be released. The sheath is either removed from the vessel or allowed to remain in the vessel.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a non-provisional application of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 699,151 filed Jul. 14, 2005, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a delivery system and method for deployment of a vascular device and, more particularly, to a delivery system and method for deployment of a self-expanding vascular device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Tubular prostheses typically fall into two general categories of construction. The first category of prosthesis is expandable upon application of a controlled force, often through the inflation of the balloon portion of a dilatation catheter, which expands the compressed prosthesis to a larger diameter to be left in place within a vessel, e.g., an artery, at the target site. The second category of prosthesis is a self-expanding prosthesis formed from, for example, shape memory metals or super-elast...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a delivery system for a self-expanding prosthesis that can be used to protect the ostium of a side branch vessel from a main branch vessel. The system includes a catheter, a balloon, a self-expanding device, and a sheath. The self-expanding device is positioned about the balloon and is oriented such that its flared portion is towards the catheter and its stem portion is towards the distal portion of the catheter. The system is designed to be easily inserted into a side branch vessel and to protect it from damage during a medical procedure. The technical effects of the invention include improved safety and efficiency during medical procedures and reduced risk of complications."

Problems solved by technology

There have been, however, problems associated with these delivery systems.

This movement can lead to inaccurate positioning and, in some instances, possible perforation of the vessel wall by a protruding end of the prosthesis.

Further, systems that utilize the actuating wire design will tend to move to follow the radius of curvature when placed in curved anatomy of the patient.

As the wire is actuated, tension in the delivery system can cause the system to straighten.

This change of the geometry of the system within the anatomy also leads to inaccurate prosthesis positioning.

While Solem '213 and Solar '635 describe systems for delivering a self-expanding stent by operation of a balloon to rupture a sheath, experimental implementations of systems of these types of systems have shown results that fall short of expectations.

Secondly, the friction between the sheath and the stent during catheter removal may drag the stent proximally.

The inability of these systems to offer accurate placement of a stent at a target site causes this approach to be not optimum for treatment of coronary lesions and similar stenotic disease states.

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