Implant Deployment Apparatus

Abstract

A delivery system including a restraining member maintains a collapsed implant in its collapsed state for delivery through a small passageway to a desired site in a mammalian body. Once the implant is positioned at the desired site, the restraining member is released so that the stent may expand or be expanded to its expanded state. In a preferred embodiment, the restraining member comprises a sheet of material that surrounds at least a portion of the collapsed stent. Portions of the restraining member are releasably coupled to one another with a low profile thread-like member or suture.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 985,498, filed Nov. 5, 2001 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08 / 772,373, filed Dec. 23, 1996 and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,561.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]This invention relates generally to implants for repairing ducts and passageways in the body. More specifically, the invention relates to implant deployment apparatus.[0004]2. Background Art[0005]Treatment or isolation of vascular aneurysms or of vessel walls which have been thickened or thinned by disease has traditionally been performed via surgical bypassing with vascular grafts. Shortcomings of this procedure include the morbidity and mortality associated with surgery, long recovery times after surgery, and the high incidence of repeat intervention needed due to limitations of the graft or of the procedure.[0006]Vessels thickened by disease may be treated less invasively...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]The present invention generally involves a delivery system for an implant, such as a stent or stent-graft. The delivery system generally comprises a sheet of material adapted to extend around at least a portion of a collapsed implant, such as a collapsed stent or stent-graft. The sheet of material may form a tubular member when extending around at least a portio

Problems solved by technology

Shortcomings of this procedure include the morbidity and mortality associated with surgery, long recovery times after surgery, and the high incidence of repeat intervention needed due to limitations of the graft or of the procedure.

Generally, the mechanisms described above involve a number of components that may increase operational complexity.

In addition, the size and mechanical properties of these mechanisms may limit deliverability of implants in small vessels.

Delivery accuracy also may be a problem as discussed.

The diam

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