Stent introducer system

Abstract

A stent delivery system for positioning a first and second stent the first and second branch lumens of a bifurcation. The stent delivery system includes stent introducers and a sheath or catheter having a frangible wall. A method of delivering stents to anatomies such as bifurcated ducts or vessels.

1 . A stent delivery system comprising: 
 a first introducer comprising a first stent;    a second introducer comprising a second stent; and    a catheter having a passageway adapted to receive the second introducer.    
   
   
       2 . The stent delivery system of  claim 1  wherein the first introducer and the catheter are adapted to be disposed in a partly staggered configuration within the working channel of an endoscope.  
   
   
       3 . The stent delivery system of  claim 2 , wherein the first introducer and the catheter have a combined outside diameter between about 3 mm and 4.5 mm.  
   
   
       4 . The stent delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter further comprises a side wall having a frangible portion.  
   
   
       5 . The stent delivery system of  claim 4 , wherein the first introducer comprises a distal portion having a stent retaining portion.  
   
   
       6 . The stent delivery system of  claim 4 , wherein the second introducer comprises a distal portion having a stent retaining portion.  
   
   
       7 . The stent delivery system of  claim 4 , wherein a proximal portion of the first introducer is positioned adjacent to the catheter and a distal portion of the first introducer is distal to the catheter when the first introducer and catheter are inside the working channel of the endoscope.  
   
   
       8 . The stent delivery system of  claim 1  further comprising a first wire guide, wherein the first introducer further comprises a wire guide lumen adapted to receive the first wire guide.  
   
   
       9 . The stent delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the wire guide lumen extends through at least a distal portion of the first introducer.  
   
   
       10 . The stent delivery system of  claim 8  further comprising a second wire guide, wherein the second introducer further comprises a second wire guide lumen adapted to receive the second wire guide.  
   
   
       11 . The stent delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein the wire guide lumen of the second introducer extends through at least a distal portion of the second introducer introducer.  
   
   
       12 . A kit for delivering first and second stents to a branched target anatomy, the kit comprising: 
 a first introducer comprising: 
 a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a stent carrying portion therebetween;  
   a second introducer comprising: 
 a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a stent carrying portion therebetween;  
   a catheter adapted to receive the second introducer, the catheter having a frangible wall; and    a sterile package adapted to receive the first introducer, the second introducer and the catheter.    
   
   
       13 . The kit of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a first self-expanding stent positioned within the stent carrying portion of the first introducer; and    a second self-expanding stent positioned within the stent carrying portion of the second introducer.    
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a first wire guide wherein the first wire guide is configured to receive the first introducer; and    a second wire guide wherein the second wire guide is configured to receive the second introducer; and    wherein the sterile package is adapted to receive the first and second wire guides.    
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the first introducer further comprises: 
 a passageway extending between the distal end and a port positioned proximal to the stent carrying portion, wherein the port is adapted to receive a wire guide.    
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the second introducer further comprises: 
 a passageway extending between the distal end and a port positioned proximal to the stent carrying portion, wherein the port is adapted to receive a wire guide.    
   
   
       17 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the first introducer further comprises: 
 a passageway extending between the distal end and a port positioned distal to the stent carrying portion, wherein the port is adapted to receive a wire guide.    
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the second introducer further comprises: 
 a passageway extending between the distal end and a port positioned distal to the stent carrying portion, wherein the port is adapted to receive a wire guide.    
   
   
       19 . A method for propping open a narrowed bifurcated anatomy having a main lumen and first and second branch lumens, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing the kit of  claim 19;     b) providing an endoscope having a working channel;    c) positioning the endoscope adjacent the bifurcated anatomy;    d) advancing the first wire guide through the working channel to the first branch lumen;    e) advancing the second wire guide through the working channel to the second branch lumen;    f) advancing the first introducer over the first wire guide to the first branch lumen of the bifurcation;    g) advancing the catheter over the second wire guide to the second branch lumen of the of the bifurcation; and    h) deploying the first stent within the first branch lumen.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein steps f) and g) further comprise advancing the first introducer and the catheter through the working channel in a staggered configuration; and further comprising the steps of: 
 i) advancing the second introducer over the second wire guide and through the catheter to the second branch lumen;    j) removing the catheter, thereby splitting the frangible wall;    k) deploying the second stent; and    l) withdrawing the second introducer.