Patent ID: 6517547
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A delivery catheter for a self-expanding stent having proximal and distal ends, the catheter having proximal and distal ends, comprising:an inner member having a bed with a radially outward facing surface, the bed being disposed at or near the distal end of the catheter; an outer catheter tube circumferentially surrounding the bed; and the outer tube being arranged to be withdrawn proximally to release a self-expanding stent contained in the outer catheter tube radially outwardly; the bed surface defining a first pinch zone; a second pinch zone defined on the radially inwardly facing surface of the outer tube; the first and second pinch zones facing each other when the distal end of the outer tube is not quite fully withdrawn proximally, relative to the bed; the facing first and second pinch zones defining a reduced-width annulus for pinching a proximal end of the stent to make available increased resistance to relative axial movement between the stent and the catheter just prior to full withdrawal of the outer tube.