Patent ID: 6380457
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
In combination, a self-expanding stent and a device for deploying the stent in a body vessel, the combination comprising:(a) an inner member having a side wall and a distal-most portion, and a first opening through the side wall along the distal-most portion; (b) a self-expanding stent disposed in a radially contracted state about at least part of the inner member distal-most portion, distally of the first opening; (c) an outer tubular member adapted to be disposed at a selected location about the inner member distal-most portion and the stent and longitudinally movable relative to the inner member distal-most portion and the stent, toward and away from the selected location, said outer tubular member incorporating a slit to allow passage of a guidewire through the outer tubular member, said slit being disposed near the first opening and spaced proximally of the stent when the outer tubular member is at the selected location; and (d) a guidewire lumen disposed between the first opening through said side wall and a second opening in the inner member distal of the first opening, the guidewire lumen thereby accommodating a guidewire within at least part of the inner member distal-most portion.