Patent ID: 8419783
Filing Date: 2013-04-16
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A system for delivering and deploying an expandable prosthesis comprising: a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and defining an inner surface; a delivery catheter slideably disposed within the lumen and having an outer surface in frictional contact with the inner surface of the sheath lumen; an expandable prosthesis disposed on a distal portion of the delivery catheter and within the lumen of the sheath; a hemostatic device comprising a housing connected to the proximal end of the sheath and a first seal disposed within the housing and sealingly engaging the delivery catheter; and a deployment assist device comprising a sleeve and a second seal disposed within the sleeve that is adapted to sealingly engage the catheter, the deployment assist device being movable between a first position in which the sleeve is disposed outside of the hemostatic device housing and the first seal is sealingly engaged with an outer surface of the catheter effecting a first frictional resistance between the housing and the catheter, and a second position in which at least a portion of the sleeve is disposed within the housing between an inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the catheter, wherein, in the second position, the first seal is sealingly engaged with an outer surface of the sleeve and the second seal is sealingly engaged with the outer surface of the catheter and effecting a second frictional resistance between the deployment assist device and the catheter; and wherein the second frictional resistance is less than the first frictional resistance between the housing and the catheter, thereby reducing a force necessary to effect relative movement between the sheath and the catheter.