Patent ID: 7172620
Filing Date: 2007-02-06
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A catheter for transvascular deployment of a radially compressible medical device, comprising an elongate tubular outer body having a proximal end and a distal end, a tubular housing being 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 to move the medical device between a collapsed stored position within the housing and a deployment position externally of the housing, and loading means for radially collapsing the medical device for engagement within the housing, the loading means being movable relative to the body for engagement with the medical device, the loading means comprising 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 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, the slits in the distal end of the sheath comprising two or more circumferentially spaced-apart helical slits in the distal end of the sheath.