Patent ID: 7270668
Filing Date: 2007-09-18
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for delivering a prosthesis to a stenotic region of a blood vessel, said method comprising: introducing a delivery device to an interior of the blood vessel, wherein said device carries a plurality of discrete helical element, each of the plurality of discrete helical elements having a predetermined length and being separable from the remainder of helical elements; advancing a first number of the discrete helical elements relative to the delivery device within the interior of the blood vessel, wherein advancing comprises drawing and rotating the delivery device relative to the body lumen while pushing the first number of discrete helical elements from the delivery device and wherein the first number of the discrete helical elements assume a helical configuration which traverses a surface region of the interior of the blood vessel as the first number is advanced; viewing the length of the first number relative to the length of the stenotic region; selecting a first number of a discrete helical elements so that the combined length of the first number of discrete helical elements with a separate element coupled to the catheter matches the length of the stenotic region of the blood vessel, the first number being operator selectable between 1 and at least 2; separating the first number of discrete helical elements from a second number of discrete helical elements; releasing the first number of the one or more discrete helical elements in the non-linear configuration from the delivery device into the stenotic region of the blood vessel, wherein upon release the first number forms and remains a generally tubular scaffold to inhibit closure of the stenotic region without substantially inhibiting blood flow through the blood vessel; and maintaining the second number of the discrete helical elements in the delivery device after the first number is released; wherein the first number of discrete helical elements assumes a helical configuration and the delivery device is rotated as the first number of discrete helical elements are pushed.