Stent attachment and deployment mechanism

Abstract

A stent attachment and deployment mechanism is utilized to prevent the distal end of an endoprosthesis comprising fixation barbs or other fixation mechanism from deploying prior to the remaining sections of the fixation device. With this stent attachment and deployment mechanism accurate deployment may be achieved.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stent attachment and deployment system comprising:
 an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end;   an endoprosthesis having a proximal end and a distal end mounted coaxially about the inner member; and   a restraining mechanism mounted at least partially coaxially about the inner member, the restraining mechanism comprising a collar configured for engaging the distal end of the endoprosthesis, a hold down wire for securing the distal end of the endoprosthesis to the collar and an activation wire releasably connected to the hold down wire, the activation wire being configured to position the hold down wire such that the hold down wire secures the distal end of the endoprosthesis to the collar as long as the activation wire remains secured to the hold down wire and wherein when the activation wire is moved in the proximal direction it releases the hold down wire.   
     
     
         2 . The stent attached and deployment mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the endoprosthesis comprises at least one extension element. 
     
     
         3 . The stent attachment and deployment mechanism according to  claim 2 , wherein the collar comprises at least one receptacle for receiving and holding the at least one extension element from moving in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         4 . A stent attachment and deployment system comprising:
 an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end;   an endoprosthesis having a proximal end and a distal end mounted coaxially about the inner member; and   a restraining mechanism mounted at least partially coaxially about the inner member, the restraining mechanism comprising a collar, having first and second end at least one radially protruding member for engaging and holding the distal end of the endoprosthesis, the at least one radially protruding member being attached to the first end of the collar and an activation wire attached to the second end of the collar, wherein when the activation wire is moved in the proximal direction, the collar moves in the proximal direction thereby causing the at least one protruding member to release the distal end of the endoprosthesis.   
     
     
         5 . The stent attachment and deployment mechanism according to  claim 4 , wherein the endoprosthesis comprises at least one attachment element having an opening at its distal end. 
     
     
         6 . The stent attachment and deployment mechanism according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one radially protruding member is configured to releasably hold the at least one attachment element by engaging the opening in the at least one attachment element. 
     
     
         7 . A stent attachment and deployment system comprising:
 an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end;   an endoprosthesis having a proximal end and a distal end mounted coaxially about the inner member; and   a restraining mechanism mounted at least partially coaxially about the inner member, the restraining mechanism comprising a first collar mounted on the inner member at a first side of the distal end of the endoprosthesis, a second collar mounted on the inner member at a second side of the distal end of the endoprosthesis, and at least one hold down wire releasably interconnected between the first and second collars and to the distal end of the prosthesis for securing the distal end of the prosthesis in an unexpanded state.   
     
     
         8 . The stent attachment and deployment system according to  claim 7 , wherein the endoprosthesis comprises at least one attachment element having an opening at its distal end. 
     
     
         9 . The stent attachment and deployment system according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one hold down wire runs through the opening in the attachment element. 
     
     
         10 . The stent attachment and deployment system according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one attachment wire is operable to move in the proximal direction and detach from the first and second collars and the endoprosthesis. 
     
     
         11 . The stent attachment and deployment system according to  claim 1 , wherein the restraining mechanism is configured to be moveable longitudinally along the inner member between two fixed points. 
     
     
         12 . The stent attachment and deployment system according to  claim 4 , wherein the restraining mechanism is configured to be moveable longitudinally along the inner member between two fixed points. 
     
     
         13 . The stent attachment and deployment system according to  claim 7 , wherein the restraining mechanism is configured to be moveable longitudinally along the inner member between two fixed points