Patent ID: 7201770
Filing Date: 2007-04-10
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A stent delivery system, comprising: a catheter shaft defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal and distal end, including a flexible inner body and a flexible tubular outer body at least partially surrounding the inner body, a space between the inner and outer bodies defining an inflation lumen; a cylindrical polymer balloon affixed to the catheter shaft near the shaft distal end, the inflation lumen communicating with an interior of the balloon; the balloon having an outer shoulder attached to the outer body and an inner shoulder attached to the inner body, the balloon having an outer portion extending distally from the outer shoulder to a folded leading edge, and having an inner portion extending proximally from the folded leading edge to the inner shoulder; a tubular stent having a compressed initial size and an expanded size, the stent tending to resiliently expand from the compressed to the expanded size; wherein the stent is initially compressed and mounted within the balloon; such that in an initial configuration the inner and outer portions of the balloon surround the stent and hold it to the initial compressed size; both of the inner and outer portions of the balloon taper radially inward toward said longitudinal axis in a distal direction near the distal folded leading edge of the balloon, such that an inner and outer balloon taper tend to facilitate advancement of the stent delivery system to the desired site for treatment; the outer body is moveable with respect to the inner body; when the outer body is retracted in the proximal direction, the balloon progressively peels back to reveal and release to stent; wherein the inner and outer taper tend to reduce friction between the inner and outer balloon portions when the balloon is progressively peeled back.