Patent ID: 6425898
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A delivery apparatus for a self-expanding stent, said apparatus comprising:a) a sheath including an elongated substantially tubular member having distal and proximal ends, a proximal section having a first outside diameter, an enlarged section proximate said distal end having a second outside diameter, the second outside diameter being greater than the first outside diameter, said sheath having an increasing durometer along its length from its distal end to its proximal end; b) a shaft located coaxially within said sheath, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said shaft further including a radiopaque stop attached thereto, said stop being positioned proximate to said distal end of said sheath; c) a radiopaque fluid injection annular gap extending between a guiding catherer having an inside diameter greater than the first outside diameter of said proximal section of said sheath; and d) a self-expanding stent located within said enlarged section of said sheath, said stent making frictional contact with said sheath, said shaft disposed coaxially within a lumen of said stent, whereby said stent makes contact with said stop during deployment of said stent.