Patent ID: 6344044
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A method for deploying a prosthesis within a body canal, the method comprising:providing an outer shaft having a distal area, the distal area having a securing member; securing a distal area of the prosthesis onto the outer shaft with the securing member; providing a sleeve having a distal area; containing the prosthesis within the distal area of the sleeve and positioning the outer shaft within the sleeve; the process further comprising the steps of:positioning the prosthesis within the body canal at a desired location; and deploying the prosthesis at the desired location by causing longitudinal motion between the sleeve and the outer shaft to expose the prosthesis, keeping the distal area of the prosthesis engaged with the securing member while permitting the exposed portion of the prosthesis to be free to partially expand; wherein the step of providing a hand piece includes having a lever arm coupled to the sleeve; actuating the lever arm to incrementally and precisely drive the sleeve in a longitudinal and proximal direction such that the sleeve moves in a proximal direction relative to the outer shaft; fully exposing the prosthesis while maintaining securement to the outer shaft by the securing member; and releasing the prosthesis from the outer shaft by disengaging the securing member; while re-positioning the prosthesis within the body canal at a desired location; fully exposing the prosthesis while maintaining securement to the outer shaft by the securing member; and releasing the prosthesis from the outer shaft by disengaging the securing member; the method likewise including the steps of: providing an inner shaft having a distal area, the distal area having a tip; positioning the inner shaft within the outer shaft in a slidable manner; wherein the securing member is a fork-shaped element having at least one prong which engages with the distal area of the prosthesis; lockingly securing the prosthesis onto the securing member by slidingly coupling the inner shaft with the outer shaft so that a distal end of the at least one prong abuts against a proximal end of the tip; and releasing the prosthesis from the securing member by longitudinally and proximally sliding the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft so that the securing member is slidingly displaced away from the tip.