Patent ID: 6217585
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
An apparatus for deploying radially expandable prostheses within body lumens, comprising:an elongate and flexible catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter capable of insertion in a body so to position said distal end within a body lumen with said proximal end remaining outside of the body, said catheter disposed at least partially inside a radially expandable prosthesis;an elongate and pliable stylet disposed at least partially in a lumen of said catheter;an expansion framework comprising a plurality of elongate compliant strands fixed to said catheter at a first coupling location and fixed to said stylet at a second coupling location, said elongate compliant strands cooperating to define a profile of said framework; andwherein said stylet is movable axially relative to the catheter, and operable from said proximal end of said catheter to alternatively: (i) increase an axial distance between the first and second coupling locations to radially reduce said framework toward a reduced-radius state for intravascularly delivering said prosthesis in an unexpanded state in surrounding relation to said framework, and (ii) reduce the axial distance to radially expand said framework and thereby exert a radial expansion force to radially expand the prosthesis surrounding said framework; andwherein said elongate compliant strands, in a radially expanded state, define a profile of said framework which contacts the prosthesis to radially expand the prosthesis.