Devices and methods for stent advancement

Abstract

Devices and methods for stent advancement, including methods for instructing another or others how to advance a stent into an anatomical structure or into a testing/demonstration synthetic structure, such as a polymer tube. The advancement may be achieved by at least two periods of stent engagement that drive a stent distally from a sheath separated by a period of non-engagement.

1 - 93 . (canceled) 
     
     
         94 . A stent advancement instruction method comprising:
 instructing a person on how to use a stent delivery device that includes a sheath and a stent disposed in the sheath, the instructing including demonstrating:
 distally driving the stent out of the sheath and into a tubular structure by repeatedly engaging the stent with a stent-engaging element between distal and proximal ends of the stent, where at least two of the engagements are separated by a period of non-engagement; and 
 as the stent is distally driven out of the sheath, varying the axial density of the stent within the tubular structure by varying the axial position of the sheath relative to the tubular structure. 
   
     
     
         95 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 94 , wherein varying the axial density of the stent within the tubular structure further comprises varying the rate at which the sheath is withdrawn from the tubular structure. 
     
     
         96 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 95 , wherein varying the rate at which the sheath is withdrawn comprises reducing the rate that the sheath is withdrawn from the tubular structure to increase the axial density of the stent. 
     
     
         97 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 95 , wherein varying the rate at which the sheath is withdrawn comprises increasing the rate that the sheath is withdrawn from the tubular structure to decrease the axial density of the stent. 
     
     
         98 . A stent advancement instruction method comprising:
 instructing a person on how to use a stent delivery device that includes a sheath and a stent disposed in the sheath, the instructing including demonstrating:
 distally driving the stent out of the sheath and into a tubular structure by repeatedly engaging the stent with a stent-engaging element between distal and proximal ends of the stent, where at least two of the engagements are separated by a period of non-engagement; and 
 releasing the proximal end of the stent from a stent-retention element when the proximal end of the stent moves out of the sheath. 
   
     
     
         99 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 98 ,
 wherein the stent-retention element comprises a stent-retention line, and   wherein the instructing further comprises demonstrating:
 after the stent is partially-driven out of the sheath, withdrawing the stent back into the sheath by moving the stent-retention line. 
   
     
     
         100 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 99 ,
 wherein the stent delivery device further comprises a handle comprising a Y-adaptor, and   wherein the stent retention line extends from outside a branch of the Y-adapter and through the branch, the handle, and a portion of the sheath.   
     
     
         101 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 98 , wherein the stent-retention element comprises radially-projecting prongs. 
     
     
         102 . A stent advancement instruction method comprising:
 instructing a person on how to use a stent delivery device that includes a sheath and a stent disposed in the sheath, the instructing including demonstrating:
 moving a user-actuatable element from a first position in a slot of a handle to a second position in the slot of the handle, the user-actuatable element coupled to a stent-engaging element, wherein during moving the user-actuatable element from the first position to the second position, the stent-engaging element engages the stent between distal and proximal ends of the stent to distally drive a first portion of the stent out of the sheath while a second portion of the stent remains within the sheath; 
 after moving the user-actuatable element from the first position to the second position, moving the user-actuatable element from the second position to the first position, wherein during moving the user-actuatable element from the second position to the first position, the stent-engaging element folds inwardly and slides proximally within the stent; and 
 after moving the user-actuatable element from the second position to the first position, second moving the user-actuatable element from the first position to the second position, wherein during second moving the user-actuatable element from the first position to the second position, the stent-engaging element engages the stent between the distal and proximal ends of the stent to drive the second portion of the stent at least partially out of the sheath. 
   
     
     
         103 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 102 , wherein the demonstrating comprises, after second moving the user-actuatable element from the first position to the second position, rotating a stopper to increase a traversable length of the slot of the handle by the user-actuatable element. 
     
     
         104 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 103 , wherein the demonstrating comprises moving the user-actuatable element to a third position distal to the second position, wherein during moving the user-actuatable element to the third position, the stent-engaging element extends out of the sheath. 
     
     
         105 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 104 , wherein moving the user-actuatable element to the third position comprises releasing the proximal end of the stent from a stent-retention element. 
     
     
         106 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 102 , wherein moving the user-actuatable element from the first position to the second position occurs without a mechanized concomitant withdrawal of the sheath. 
     
     
         107 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 102 , wherein the user-actuatable element is biased toward the second position in the slot of the handle. 
     
     
         108 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 102 , wherein the stent comprises woven strands. 
     
     
         109 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 108 , wherein the stent-engaging element is configured to engage strand intersections. 
     
     
         110 . The stent advancement instruction method of  claim 102 , wherein the stent-engaging element is shaped like a shovel.