Methods and devices for protecting a passageway in a body when advancing devices through the passageway

Abstract

A liner is advanced through a narrowed region in a vessel such as the internal carotid artery. The liner is advanced through the narrowed region in a collapsed position. A stent is then advanced through the liner and expanded to open the narrowed region. The liner may also have an anchor which expands an end of the liner before the stent is introduced.

1 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A method of advancing a device through a passageway in a body, comprising the steps of:
 providing a liner movable from a collapsed condition to an expanded condition;   advancing the liner to region in a passageway in a body with the liner in the collapsed position;   passing at least a portion of the liner into the region in the collapsed position; and   introducing a device into the liner so that the device is also positioned in the region of the passageway, the liner preventing the device from contacting the region of the passageway.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the introducing step is carried out with the device is selected from the group consisting of a stent, filter, angioplasty balloon, drug delivery device or catheter, laser catheter, and ultrasound catheter.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising the step of:
 expanding the stent to trap the liner between the stent and the vessel wall.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the liner having an outer diameter of no more than 0.065 inch in the collapsed position.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the liner having an outer diameter of no more than 0.040 inch in the collapsed position.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the liner being collapsed to a radial thickness of no more than 0.025 inch.   
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the liner being collapsed to a radial thickness of no more than 0.020 inch.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the liner being mounted onto a tube of material having a lumen; and   the advancing step is carried out with the liner being advanced over a guidewire passing through the lumen in the tube.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the liner having a length to width ratio of at least 20 to 1.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the liner having a length to width ratio of at least 40 to 1.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein:
 the providing step is carried out with the liner having a length to width ratio of at least 60 to 1.   
     
     
         53 . A device for protecting a passageway in a body when passing other devices through the passageway, comprising:
 a liner movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the liner having a diameter of no more than 0.018 inch in the collapsed position, the liner having an outer diameter of no more than 0.040 inch when in the collapsed position; and   an expandable anchor attached to the liner, the anchor being movable from an expanded shape to a collapsed shape, the anchor being configured to hold the liner at a position in a passageway in a body.   
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein:
 the liner has an outer diameter of no more than 0.026 inch.   
     
     
         55 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein:
 the liner has a length, the length to diameter ratio for the liner being at least 20 to 1.   
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein:
 the length to diameter ratio is at least 50 to 1.   
     
     
         57 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein:
 the length to diameter ratio is at least 80 to 1.   
     
     
         58 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein:
 the anchor is mounted inside a delivery catheter which holds the anchor in the collapsed position, the anchor being naturally biased toward the expanded position.   
     
     
         59 . The device of  claim 53 , further comprising:
 a retractable sheath disposed over the liner when the liner is in the collapsed position.   
     
     
         60 . The device of  claim 53 , further comprising:
 an inner tube which has a throughhole to receive a guidewire, the liner being mounted over the inner tube so that the inner tube prevents the liner from contacting the guidewire.   
     
     
         61 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein:
 the liner has a thickness in a radial direction of no more than 0.012 inch.   
     
     
         62 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein:
 the liner has a first end and a second end, the anchor being attached to the first end and the liner being free at the second end when in the expanded position.   
     
     
         63 - 67 . (canceled)