Stent delivery system

Abstract

A stent delivery system includes at least one stent and a holder. The stent is expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state. The holder is configured to interfere or interlock with the stent. The holder may be blowmolded onto an inner surface of the compressed stent. An outer diameter of the holder is approximately the same as an inner diameter of the stent.

1 . A stent delivery system, comprising: 
 at least one stent expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state; and,    a holder interlocking and interfering with the stent in the compressed state, an outer diameter of the holder thereby contacting an inner diameter of the stent.    
   
   
       2 . The stent delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the holder is blowmolded onto an inner surface of the stent in the compressed state.  
   
   
       3 . The stent delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the holder includes a pattern or impression that extends through the stent in the compressed state.  
   
   
       4 . The stent delivery system of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the stent includes a plurality of radial openings, the radial openings being defined in part by side surfaces of the stent; and,    the holder having a portion extended from the outer diameter of the holder, the portion contacting the side surfaces of the stent, the portion thereby restricting longitudinal movement of the stent relative to the holder.    
   
   
       5 . The stent delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a stimulator adapted to apply a predetermined force to an inner surface of the holder, thereby releasing the stent from the holder,    wherein the stent delivery system comprises no sheath.    
   
   
       6 . The stent delivery system of  claim 5 , wherein the stimulator includes a ball that has a diameter larger than an inner diameter of the holder.  
   
   
       7 . The stent delivery system of  claim 5 , wherein an outer diameter of the stent delivery system is smaller than about 0.0540 inch.  
   
   
       8 . The stent delivery system of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a container positioned inside the holder and storing a liquid supplied thereto, wherein the liquid is compatible with blood, whereby the stent is released from the holder in response to increased pressure of the container.    
   
   
       9 . The stent delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of stents are longitudinally arranged one after another and the plurality of stents are different in size, length and/or flexibility.  
   
   
       10 . A method for deploying a stent, wherein the stent is configured to expand from a compressed state to an expanded state, comprising: 
 delivering the compressed stent placed on a blowmolded holder and the holder into a predetermined deployment site, the holder being blowmolded to the compressed stent;    releasing the stent from interference with the holder; and    expanding the stent from the compressed state to the expanded state.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 delivering a container into the deployment site and positioning the container inside the holder;    supplying a quantity of liquid into the container;    stimulating an inner surface of the holder in response to an increased pressure of the container, wherein the increased pressure is responsive to supply of the liquid.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 delivering a stimulator attached to a wire to a predetermined deployment site, the wire extending from a proximal end to a distal end;    delivering the compressed stent and the holder to the deployment site by threading the wire through an interior of the holder; and    stimulating an inner surface of the holder by retracting the stimulator toward the proximal end, wherein a diameter of the stimulator is larger than an inner diameter of the holder.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 (a) delivering the plurality of stents in the compressed state and the holder to a predetermined deployment site;    (b) retracting the sheath toward a proximal end to the extent that a first stent is exposed wherein the first stent is disposed distally adjacent a distal end;    (c) expanding the first stent from the compressed state to the expanded state;    (d) retracting the sheath toward the proximal end to the extent that a second stent is exposed wherein the second stent is disposed proximally adjacent the first stent; and,    (e) repeating the step of (a)-(d) until remaining stents are expanded.    
   
   
       14 . A method for manufacturing a stent delivery system having a holder and at least one stent configured to expand from a first diameter to a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter, comprising: 
 compressing the stent to the first diameter;    inserting the stent into a first tube;    placing a second tube inside the first tube and inside an inner diameter of the stent, wherein the second tube is airtight; and,    applying pressure and heat suitable to the second tube, thereby blowmolding the second tube against the stent.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the pressure ranges between 30 psi and 90 psi.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the heat ranges between 200° F. and 280° F.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the pressure is about 40 psi and the heat ranges between 210° F. and 220° F.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the pressure is about 90 psi and the heat is about 250° F.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 applying a drug coating material on an outer surface of the stent in the compressed state.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of applying the drug coating material includes spraying the drug coating material.