Stent Delivery System Having Stent Securement Apparatus

Abstract

A system/assembly for delivery and deployment of an inflation expandable stent within a vessel, comprising a catheter having proximal and distal ends; a stent, inflation expandable from a delivery diameter to a deployment diameter, such that the delivery diameter is reduced from the deployment diameter for conforming the stent to the catheter, such that the stent, in its delivery diameter, is coaxially mounted on the catheter near the catheter distal end; an expandable inflation means coaxially mounted on the catheter axially within the stent, for expansion of the stent from the delivery diameter to the deployment diameter upon application of fluid deployment pressure to the inflation means; and a securement component coaxially mounted on the catheter, axially within the expandable inflation means, the securement component designed and adapted to provide a securement pressure to the stent in the delivery diameter to maintain the stent in position on the catheter during delivery to the deployment site.

1 . A system/assembly for delivery and deployment of an inflation expandable stent within a vessel, comprising: a catheter having proximal and distal ends; a stent, inflation expandable from a delivery diameter to a deployment diameter, such that the delivery diameter is reduced from the deployment diameter for conforming the stent to the catheter, such that the stent, in its delivery diameter, is coaxially mounted on the catheter near the catheter distal end; an expandable inflation means coaxially mounted on the catheter axially within the stent, for expansion of the stent from the delivery diameter to the deployment diameter upon application of fluid deployment pressure to the inflation means; and a securement component coaxially mounted on the catheter, axially within the expandable inflation means, the securement component designed and adapted to provide a securement pressure to the stent in the delivery diameter to maintain the stent in position on the catheter during delivery to the deployment site. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , the catheter having a shaft and the expandable inflatable means associated therewith at a distal part of the shaft and including mounting and retaining means for receiving the stent on the expandable means for radial expansion of the stent, the mounting and retaining means being associated with the inflatable means and being constructed and arranged for selectively providing an enlarged mounting body for receiving the stent. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the mounting body is inside the inflatable means. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the mounting body is outside the inflatable means. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , the inflatable means being a balloon, wherein the mounting body is carried by the catheter and is axially movable between the stent mounting position associated with the balloon and a position removed from the stent mounting position. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , the catheter having a shaft, the expandable inflatable means being associated therewith at a distal part of the shaft and including mounting and retaining means for receiving a stent on the expandable inflatable means and for radial expansion of the stent upon inflation of the inflatable means, the mounting and retaining means including at least one mounting body carried on and surrounding the shaft inside the inflatable means whereby the diameter of the shaft and inflatable portion may be increased at the distal part of the shaft for facilitating the mounting and retaining of the stent. 
     
     
         7 . The delivery system of  claim 6  wherein the mounting body is axially movable with respect to the inside shaft, and including means for moving the mounting body. 
     
     
         8 . The stent delivery system of  claim 7  wherein the mounting body is of a material which resiliently deforms under radial pressure. 
     
     
         9 . The stent delivery system of  claim 8  wherein the material comprises HDPE or silicone. 
     
     
         10 . The stent delivery system of  claim 7  wherein the mounting body configuration includes at least one separation whereby the flexibility of the body and catheter is increased. 
     
     
         11 . The stent delivery system of  claim 10  wherein the separation is in the form of a spiral. 
     
     
         12 . The stent delivery system of  claim 7  wherein the mounting body is positionable to receive a stent and a stent is crimped to the mounting and retaining means over the balloon for delivery. 
     
     
         13 . The stent delivery system of  claim 6  including a stop positioned at the distal end portion of the inflatable means and carried by the shaft inside the inflatable means. 
     
     
         14 . The stent delivery system of  claim 6  including at least one marker band. 
     
     
         15 . The stent delivery system of  claim 6  wherein the inflatable means comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         16 . The stent delivery system of  claim 6  including a stop positioned at the distal end of the catheter and carried by the shaft inside the inflatable means. 
     
     
         17 . The stent delivery system of  claim 6  wherein the mounting body is in a fixed position and is adapted and arranged to enlarge in diameter to receive a stent. 
     
     
         18 . The stent delivery system of  claim 17  wherein the mounting body is a second inflatable means inside the first inflatable means, the inner one being shaped to have wide end portions and a narrow center portion. 
     
     
         19 . The stent delivery system of  claim 17  wherein the mounting body is a coil-like structure adapted and arranged to be compressed and the proximal portion of the inside shaft is connected thereto for compressing the structure to enlarge its diameter. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the mounting body is a sleeve including radial accordion like pleats extending over at least a portion of its length, the distal end being secured to the inside shaft and a means for compressing the body from its proximal end and attached thereto.