Patent ID: 6726714
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A catheter system comprising:a catheter comprising an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of said catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state, the expandable distal portion having a first end, a second end and a center portion between the first and second ends; a stent positioned around said distal portion of said catheter, said stent having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, and being sized in said contracted condition to closely surround said catheter in the contracted state, said stent having at least an end portion lying over said expandable portion of said catheter; and a stent retaining sleeve in the region of the distal portion of the catheter and positioned around the catheter, having a first end connected to the catheter, and a second end, the first end of the stent retaining sleeve being axially fixed relative to the first end of the expandable distal portion and the second end of the stent retaining sleeve lying over said end portion of said stent, wherein the stent retaining sleeve comprises: a first sleeve in the region of said distal portion of said catheter and positioned around said catheter, having a first end connected to said catheter, and a second end; and a first band bonded to the first sleeve, wherein a portion of the first sleeve is positioned between the first band and the expandable distal portion of the catheter, the first band being positioned entirely between the first end and the second end of the first sleeve.