Patent ID: 6068634
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A stent delivery system comprising:a catheter comprising an expandable distal portion, having an outer diameter, constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of said expandable distal portion from a contracted state to an expanded state;a stent positioned around said distal portion of said catheter, said stent having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, the stent being sized in said contracted condition to closely surround said expandable distal portion in its contracted state, said stent having a first end and a second end, wherein at least one of the stent ends is positioned over a portion of said expandable portion of said catheter;a first sleeve in the region of said distal portion of said catheter positioned around said catheter, the first sleeve having a first end anchored to said catheter, and a second end lying over said first end of said stent; anda first ring positioned between the first sleeve and the expandable distal portion of the catheter, said ring being attached to said first sleeve,said first sleeve retaining said first end of said stent on said catheter when said expandable distal portion is in the contracted state, said catheter and stent cooperatively constructed and arranged for expansion of said expandable distal portion from said contracted state to said expanded state and to cause said first sleeve and first ring to simultaneously slide relatively axially, drawing said sleeve from over said first end of said stent, thereby releasing said first end of the stent from said catheter.