Patent ID: 6755855
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
In combination, a stent and a device for deploying the stent in a body vessel, the combination including:a stent carrier having a side wall, a distal end region, and a first opening through the side wall along the distal end region; a flexible stent disposed about at least part of the distal end region and located distally of the first opening; a stent retainer adapted to be disposed at least partially about the distal end region of the stent carrier and the stent, and when so disposed, exerting a stent-retaining force upon the flexible stent to maintain the stent in a radially contracted state; said stent retainer being movable longitudinally relative to the stent carrier and the stent to release the stent and thereby allow an expansion of the stent to a radially enlarged state; and a guidewire lumen disposed between the first opening through the side wall and a second opening in the stent carrier distal of the first opening, the guidewire lumen passing within at least part of the distal end region of the stent carrier and adapted to accommodate a guidewire, wherein the first opening at least at a distal end portion thereof is larger in diameter than the guidewire, and the side wall distally of the first opening forms a continuous enclosure around the guidewire lumen; wherein said stent retainer comprises a tubular catheter having a catheter lumen and, when so disposed, contains the distal end region of the stent carrier, and the flexible stent, within the catheter lumen.