Stent graft delivery systems and associated methods

Abstract

Stent graft delivery systems are disclosed herein. In several embodiments, a stent graft delivery system can include a stent graft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a proximal sheath and a distal sheath. The proximal sheath can be configured to cover the proximal portion of the stent graft, and the distal sheath can be configured to cover the distal portion of the stent graft. The proximal sheath and the distal sheath can be independently removable from respective ends of the stent graft such that the proximal and distal portions of the stent graft are independently deployable.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A stent graft system, comprising:
 a stent graft having a proximal portion and a distal portion;   a proximal sheath covering the proximal portion of the stent graft,
 wherein the proximal sheath is configured to be retracted while the proximal portion of the stent graft is simultaneously advanced to deploy the proximal portion of the stent graft, and 
 wherein the proximal sheath is configured to be retracted and the proximal portion of the stein graft is configured to be advanced at rates corresponding to a ratio of a deployed configuration length of the stent graft to a delivery configuration length of the stent graft; 
   a distal sheath covering the distal portion of the stent graft; and   a central wire connected to the distal sheath and positioned within the proximal sheath,
 wherein 
 the central wire is configured to advance the distal sheath relative to the stent graft to deploy the distal portion of the stent graft, and 
 the central wire is configured to retract the distal sheath through an inner lumen formed by the stein graft. 
   
     
     
         23 . The stent graft system of  claim 22  wherein the distal portion of the stent graft is configured to be maintained at a constant position while the proximal portion of the stent graft is deployed. 
     
     
         24 . The stent graft system of  claim 22  wherein the proximal portion of the stent graft is configured to be maintained at a constant position while the distal portion of the stent graft is deployed. 
     
     
         25 . The stent graft system of  claim 22 , further comprising anchoring barbs on the distal portion of the stem graft. 
     
     
         26 . The stent graft system of  claim 22 , further comprising a stent cover having an outer diameter of no greater than 14 Fr. 
     
     
         27 . The stent graft system of  claim 22  wherein the stent graft comprises a stent frame having a braid pattern forming a body, the braid pattern having medial turns between two ends of the stent frame, and further wherein the medial turns form protrusions extending outwardly from the body of the stent frame. 
     
     
         28 . The stent graft system of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 telescoping coaxial tubes for engaging portions of the stent graft, wherein coordinated axial motion of the telescoping tubes during deployment can control the braid angle of the stent graft.   
     
     
         29 . The stent graft system of  claim 22 , further comprising a deployment system having a foreshortening compensation ratio configured to advance the stent graft while simultaneously retracting the sheath relative to the stent graft such that the distal portion of the stent graft is maintained at a single position while transitioning from the sheathed state to the deployed state. 
     
     
         30 . A stent graft system, comprising;
 a stent graft having a proximal portion and a distal portion;   a distal sheath covering the distal portion of the stent graft,
 wherein the distal sheath is configured to be advanced while the distal portion of the stent graft is simultaneously retracted to deploy the distal portion of the stent graft, and 
 wherein the distal sheath is configured to be retracted and the distal portion of the stent graft is configured to be advanced at rates corresponding to a ratio of a deployed configuration length of the stent graft to a delivery configuration length of the stern graft; 
   a central wire connected to the distal sheath and positioned within the proximal sheath, wherein the central wire is configured to retract the distal sheath through an inner lumen formed by the stent graft; and   a proximal sheath covering the proximal portion of the stent graft,   
     
     
         31 . The stent graft system of  claim 30  wherein:
 the stent graft has a sheathed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the stent graft has a first length in the sheathed configuration and a second length shorter than the first length in the deployed configuration; and 
 the stent graft system further comprises a deployment system configured to retract the stent graft while simultaneously advancing the sheath relative to the stent graft at rates having a ratio equal to a ratio of the first and second lengths of the stent graft. 
 
     
     
         32 . A delivery system for a braided stent, comprising:
 a stent having a frame comprised of braided wire, where the stent comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion;   a proximal sheath covering the proximal portion of the stent,
 wherein the proximal sheath is configured to be retracted while the proximal portion of the stent is simultaneously advanced to deploy the proximal portion of the stent, and 
 wherein the proximal sheath is configured to be retracted and the proximal portion of the stent graft is configured to be advanced at rates corresponding to a ratio of a deployed configuration length of the stent to a delivery configuration length of the stent; 
   a distal sheath covering the distal portion of the stent; and   a central wire connected to the distal sheath and positioned within the proximal sheath,
 wherein 
 the central wire is configured to advance the distal sheath relative to the stent to deploy the distal portion of the stent, and 
 the central wire is configured to retract the distal sheath through an inner lumen formed by the stent. 
   
     
     
         33 . The stent delivery system of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 telescoping coaxial tubes for engaging portions of the stent, wherein coordinated axial motion of the telescoping tubes during deployment can control the braid angle of the stent frame.