Patent ID: 6270504
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A stent delivery system comprising:a catheter having a distal portion, the distal portion having an expandable means associated therewith, the expandable means having a first end portion and a second end portion and a contracted state and an expanded state;a stent positioned around said expandable means of said catheter, the stent having a contracted condition and an expanded condition, the stent in the contracted condition closely surrounding the expandable means, the stent having a first end and a second end; andat least one sleeve disposed about the first end portion of the expandable means, the at least one sleeve having a first end associated with the catheter, and a second end overlying the first end of the stent, the at least one sleeve having a symmetrical annular region of increased thickness position around the first end portion of the expandable means, the second end of the at least one sleeve overlying the first end of the stent on the catheter when the expandable distal portion is in the contracted state, wherein when the expandable means is in the expanded state the stent will be expanded, as the stent expands the second end of the at least one sleeve will be drawn off of the first end of the stent, thereby allowing the stent to be released from the catheter.