Patent ID: 6217607
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: A61F,A61L

Abstract:
A small profile stent delivery system for traversing small vessels of less than about 2.5 mm diameter of a human body, comprising a catheter having a balloon integrated distally on said catheter for selective inflation and deflation via an inflation lumen of said catheter; a stent firmly mounted on said balloon for traversal of a said small vessel by the delivery system and subsequent deployment of said stent at a preselected target site of the vessel by inflation of said balloon to expand the diameter of said stent to lodge against the inner wall of the vessel; said balloon having an optimum inflated diameter less than about 2.5 mm at nominal balloon pressure of from about 6 atmospheres (atm) to about 8 atm; one of said balloon and said stent having a non-adhesive intrinsic surface region characteristic implemented to enhance the retention force between said balloon and said stent mounted thereon to prevent said stent from being dislodged from said balloon as the delivery system traverses a said small vessel despite the small profile of the delivery system but to permit said stent to be released from said balloon and remain lodged against the inner wall of the vessel after deployment at the target site and deflation of said balloon and removal of said catheter from the vessel.