Patent ID: 6514280
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A catheter for transvascular development of a radially compressible medical device, comprising an elongate tubular outer body having a proximal end and a distal end, a tubular housing portion formed at the distal end of the body for reception of the medical device in a collapsed state,a deployment means for engagement with the medical device being movable through the housing portion to move the medical device between a collapsed stored position within the housing portion and a deployment position externally of the housing portion, and loading means for radially collapsing the medical device for engagement within the housing portion, the loading means being movable relative to the body for engagement with the medical device, the loading means comprises a tubular sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the sheath being slidably mounted within the distal end of the body, the distal end of the sheath having a tubular side wall with two or more circumferentially spaced apart helical slits in the side wall of the sheath extending proximally from a distal end of the sheath, the slits sub-dividing the tubular side wall of the distal end of the sheath into a number of complementary tube sections which are movable between a closed position defining a tubular housing for reception of the medical device and an open position to enlarge the distal end of the sheath when the distal end of the sheath is moved outwardly of the distal end of the body.