Patent ID: 6280412
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
In a stent delivery system comprising:a catheter including a distal balloon constructed and arranged to carry and release a stent;a stent positioned around the distal balloon of the catheter, the stent having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, the stent having at least an end portion lying over the distal balloon of the catheter, andan elastomeric sleeve of polymeric composition carried in the region of the balloon and positioned around the catheter, the sleeve having a first end attached to the catheter and a second end lying over the end portion of the stent, the sleeve fixing the end of the stent on the catheter when the stent is in the contracted condition, the catheter and stent being cooperatively constructed and arranged for expansion of the stent and axial removal of the sleeve from the margin of the stent upon delivery of the stent for implantation,the improvement comprising:a circumferential fold in the balloon body over a portion of the balloon itself, the fold encompassing a circumferential end portion of the stent between the balloon and the sleeve.