Patent ID: 7025773
Filing Date: 2006-04-11
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for deploying a conduit in a target vessel, the method comprising steps of: (a) providing a conduit having a first end, a second end and a lumen, wherein the conduit is movable between deployed and non-deployed positions and at least a portion of the conduit is held in the non-deployed position by a retention member, the retention member comprises a sheath that overlies the non-deployed portion of the conduit, wherein the conduit comprises a stent and the deployed and non-deployed positions correspond, respectively, to expanded and collapsed orientations of the stent; (b) positioning at least the non-deployed portion of the conduit in a lumen of a target vessel; (c) moving the retention member in a first direction with respect to the conduit to move the non-deployed portion of the conduit to the deployed position, the retention member moving distally toward the target vessel; and (d) moving the retention member in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction to remove the retention member from the target vessel, the retention member moving proximally away from the target vessel, wherein the sheath is removed through the lumen of the deployed portion of the conduit; and coupling the sheath to a sheath removal mechanism and removing the sheath and the sheath removal mechanism from the target vessel.