Patent ID: 6911038
Filing Date: 2005-06-28
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A catheter for deploying an implantable prosthetic device at a desired location in a bodily vessel comprising an expandable member and a prosthetic device, wherein the prosthetic device is a stent, the expandable member comprising a balloon, the balloon having a first cone portion and a second cone portion, and at least one belt extending about the circumference of the balloon, the stent being disposed at least partially about the belt, the expandable member having a portion which foreshortens longitudinally upon radial expansion of the expandable member, the portion which foreshortens being longitudinally positioned between the first cone portion and the second cone portion and at least partially within the stent and the stent being disposed about the balloon, wherein the radial expansion of the expandable member is achieved by applying internal fluid pressure to the balloon and wherein the belt is characterized by a foreshortening rate R b and the stent is characterized by a foreshortening rate R s .