Stent delivery system
US5776140A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 16, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/1081
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An implantable medical device such as a stent may be implanted within a patient by the steps of advancing a catheter having a balloon into the patient, in which the catheter carries the medical device in a position surrounding the catheter balloon. The catheter also carries an outer, semi-flexible sheath surrounding at least part of the catheter and the medical device. The medical device and flexible sheath are advanced together into a patient with the catheter, to position the device at a desired location while the device is enclosed in the sheath. Then, the sheath is retracted to expose the medical device to the exterior. The balloon is inflated to radially expand the device. Then the catheter and sheath are withdrawn from the patient. The catheter described can be used to implant a stent without the need for a guiding catheter. Also, x-ray contrast media can be applied to the vicinity of the medical device without removal of the guidewire.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.