Patent ID: 6656213
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A stent delivery system comprisinga catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a self expanding stent device having a compressed state and an expanded state and being positioned along the catheter and close to the distal end thereof, a capsule enclosing the self expanding stent device in its compressed state, said capsule having an open distal end and a proximal end fixed to the catheter and further having at least one perforation extending longitudinally of said capsule from the distal end thereof substantially to the proximal end thereof, and a balloon positioned within the capsule so as to break the capsule along said at least one perforation, whereby the stent device may expand to its expanded state and the catheter with the broken capsule may be withdrawn, and wherein the catheter is arranged outside the self expanding stent device in a side-by-side relationship therewith.