STENT DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH HYBRID ELASTOMER STENT SECUREMENT SLEEVES

Abstract: A stent delivery system comprising a catheter. The catheter including a stent mounting region and a stent disposed thereabout. The stent having a distal end and a proximal end, and an unexpanded state and an expanded state. At least one stent retaining sleeve, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end overlays an end of the stent when the stent is in the unexpanded state. The second end engaged to at least a portion of the catheter adjacent to the stent mounting region. The stent retaining sleeve(s) comprising a first material and at least one substantially longitudinally oriented fiber of a second material. The first material having a predetermined tensile modulus and the second material having a predetermined tensile modulus, wherein the predetermined tensile modulus of the second material is greater than that of the first material.

Description: STENT DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH HYBRID ELASTOMER STENT SECUREMENT SLEEVES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This PCT application claims priority from US Application No. 09/750,934 filed on December 29, 2000, which is a Continuation-In-Part application claiming priority from US Application No. 09/668,496, filed September 22, 2000. This PCT application also claims priority from US Application No. 09/829,295, filed April 9, 2001, which in turn claims priority from the 09/750,934 and 09/668,496 applications. The entire contents of all the applications cited above are incorporated herein by reference. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of The Invention This invention relates to medical device delivery catheters in general, and specifically to balloon catheters for use in delivering a medical device such as a stent to a desired body location, such as in a blood vessel. More specifically, this invention relates to a stent retaining sock or sleeve composed of a matrix of generally elastic material, but which also includes at least one substantially longitudinally oriented fiber or filament which is harder and/or has a higher tensile modulus than the surrounding elastic material. The filament(s) may partially or fully imbedded within the matrix material, and may be a comprised of a singular fiber or a braid of several fibers woven together. The combination of the elastomeric sleeve material and reinforcing fiber(s) provides for a sleeve, which when mounted on a stent delivery balloon catheter, may be made to expand in the radial direction with reduced or no longitudinal elongation. In some embodiments, the sleeve may longitudinally foreshorten during radial expansion, thereby causing the ends of the sleeve to retract off of the ends of the stent and/or balloon in a safe and efficient manner. Description Of The Related Art: Stents and stent delivery assemblies are utilized in a number of medical procedures and situations, and as such their structure and function are well known. A stent is a generally cylindrical prosthesis introduced via a catheter into a lumen of a body vessel in a configuration having a generally reduced diameter and then expanded to the diameter of the vessel. In its expanded configuration, the stent supports and reinforces the vessel walls while maintaining the vessel in an open, unobstructed condition. Both self-expanding and inflation expandable stents are well known and widely available in a variety of designs and configurations. Self-expanding stents must be maintained under positive external pressure in order to maintain their reduced diameter configuration during delivery of the stent to its deployment site. Inflation expandable stents may be crimped to their reduced diameter about the delivery catheter, maneuvered to the deployment site, and expanded to the vessel diameter by fluid inflation of a balloon positioned on the delivery catheter. The present invention is particularly concerned with delivery and deployment of inflation expandable stents, although it is generally applicable to self-expanding stents when used with balloon catheters. In advancing an inflation expandable stent through a body vessel to the deployment site, there are a number of important considerations. The stent must be able to securely maintain its axial position on the delivery catheter, without translocating proximally or distally, and especially without becoming separated from the catheter. The stent, particularly its distal and proximal ends, must be protected to prevent distortion of the stent and to prevent abrasion and/or reduce trauma of the vessel walls. Inflation expandable stent delivery and deployment assemblies are known which utilize restraining means that overlie the stent during delivery. U.S. Patent No. 4,950,227 to Savin et al, relates to an expandable stent delivery system in which a sleeve overlaps the distal or proximal margin (or both) of the stent during delivery. That patent discloses a stent delivery system in which a catheter carries, on its distal end portion, a stent which is held in place around the catheter prior to and during percutaneous delivery by means of one and preferably two sleeves. The sleeves are positioned around the catheter with one end portion attached thereto and overlap an end portion(s) of the stent to hold it in place on the catheter m a contracted condition. Each sleeve is elastomeric in nature so as to stretch and release the stent when it expands for implantation. The stent is expandable by means of the expandable balloon on the catheter. During expansion of the stent at the deployment site, the stent margins are freed of the protective sleeve(s). U.S. Patent 5,403,341 to Solar, relates to a stent delivery and deployment assembly which uses retaining sheaths positioned about opposite ends of the compressed stent. The retaining sheaths of Solar are adapted to tear under pressure as the stent is radially expanded, thus releasing the stent from engagement with the sheaths. U.S. Patent No. 5,108,416 to Ryan et al., describes a stent introducer system which uses one or two flexible end caps and an annular socket surrounding the balloon to position the stent during introduction to the deployment site. Copending U.S. Patent Application No. 09/426,384 which was filed October 26, 1999 and entitled Longitudinal Dimensional Stable Balloons, and which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference describes material having longitudinally oriented fibers. In many prior stent delivery systems which utilize retractable sleeves to retain the ends of the stent to the catheter prior to delivery, the expansion characteristics of the sleeves are such that typically the sleeves will foreshorten by less than 5 percent as a result of balloon expansion. This nominal foreshortening may assist in retracting the sleeves off of the stent ends but other attributes such as reduced frictional interface between the sleeve and stent and/or reduced columnar strength of the sleeve may also be required to effectively retract the sleeves from the stent. As indicated above, a common problem which occurs in catheter assemblies is friction or adhesion between various parts which periodically come into contact with one another during the medical procedure. For instance, friction can occur between the guide catheter and guide wire, between the introducer sheath and the guide catheter, or between the guide catheter and the balloon catheter, for instance, and may increase the difficulty of insertion, cause loss of catheter placement, and result in discomfort to the patient or damage to the vasculature. In catheters equipped with stent retaining socks or sleeves, friction between the balloon and sleeve, and/or the stent and sleeve may also cause retraction of the sleeves to be made more difficult. It is therefore desirable to reduce the friction due to the sliding between the various parts of the catheter assemblies, most notably between the ends of the stent and the portions of the sleeves which retain the ends to the catheter prior to stent implantation. Copending U.S. Application No. 09/549,286 which was filed April 14, 5 2000 describes a reduced columnar strength stent retaining sleeve having a plurality of holes. The relatively reduced columnar and radial strength provided by the holes allows the sleeve to be retracted off of a stent without the need for lubricant. However, lubricants may be used to further assist in sleeve retraction. Lubricants of many types have been used in conjunction with balloon 0 catheters. Both hydrophilic and hydrophobic coatings and lubricants are well known in the catheter art. The present invention may be used in conjunction with any type of lubricious substance suitable for use with a stent delivery catheter, and is further directed to the application of the lubricious substance to the surface of a balloon cone and/or waste subsequent to stent mounting and sleeve placement onto the catheter. 5 Copending U.S. Patent Application No. 09/407,836 which was filed on September 28, 1999 and entitled Stent Securement Sleeves and Optional Coatings and Methods of Use, and which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference, also provides for a stent delivery system having sleeves. In 09/407,836 the sleeves may be made up of a combination of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as well as one or more 0 thermoplastic elastomers. Other references exist which disclose a variety of stent retaining sleeves. Copending U.S. Patent Application No. 09/427,805 filed October 27, 1999, and entitled End Sleeve Coating for Stent Delivery, describes the use of stent retaining sleeves having lubricious coatings applied thereto. Copending U.S. Patent Application No. 09/273,520 filed March 22, 1999, entitled Lubricated Sleeve Material 5 For Stent Delivery likewise describes the use of stent retaining sleeves and lubricants. The entire content of all patents and applications listed within the present patent application are incorporated herein by reference. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 0 The present invention is directed to several embodiments. As indicated above, at least one embodiment of the invention is directed to a retractable stent retaining sleeve, or pair of sleeves, which may be disposed about the respective ends of an expandable medical device, such as a stent, to retain the ends of the stent on a mounting region of a balloon catheter. The sleeves are retracted off of the stent during the stent delivery process wherein the stent is radially expanded. In some embodiments of the invention a catheter may include a balloon or other inflatable portion which may be used to radially expand the stent. As the stent is subjected to radial expansion so to is at least a portion of the stent retaining sleeve. The unique construction of the present sleeve provides the sleeves with the capacity to be retracted off of the ends of a stent during balloon expansion to release the stent. In at least one embodiment, the at least one retaining sleeve comprises a first material and a second material. The first and second materials having a different hardness and/or tensile modulus, the second material being one or more substantially longitudinally oriented fibers or filaments of a predetermined material or combination of materials. The fiber material may overlay, be imbedded, co-extruded, woven, or otherwise placed into the matrix of the first material. In at least one embodiment of the invention the sleeves are constructed and arranged to foreshorten to an extent greater than previous stent retaining sleeves or socks, thereby providing for improved retraction from the stent ends. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the length of the sleeves is foreshortened more than 5 percent during sleeve retraction. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the length of the sleeves is foreshortened 20 percent or more during sleeve retraction. In at least one embodiment of the invention the second material may be disposed about the inside and/or outside of a sleeve constructed substantially of the of first material. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the fibers or stripes of a second material may be fully enclosed, or "sandwiched" within the matrix of the first material. It should be noted that while the second material may be characterized as having a higher tensile modulus and/or being harder than the first material, the second material have additional or alternative features which are different that the first. For example, the first and second material may have different: flexibility, elasticity, modulus of elasticity, as well as many other characteristics which may be different from one another. In at least one embodiment of the invention the matrix of the sleeve, i.e. the first material, may itself be comprised of a variety of materials, such that the stripe(s) may be enclosed between an inside layer of material and an outside layer of material wherein the inside material and the outside material are different from one another. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the following drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is across-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention comprising a stent delivery system. FIG. 14 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention comprising a stent delivery system. FIG. 15 is a partial .cut-away perspective view of an embodiment of the retractable sleeve of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a partial cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of the retractable sleeve of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a partial cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of the retractable sleeve of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a partial cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of the retractable sleeve of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a partial cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of the retractable sleeve of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a partial cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of the retractable sleeve of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the retractable sleeve of the present invention. t FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the retractable sleeve of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a detailed partially cut-away view of another embodiment of the retractable sleeve of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the retractable sleeve of the present invention. Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the retractable sleeve of the present invention. FIG. 26 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention comprising a stent delivery system, wherein the sleeves are shown in a retracted state. FIG. 27 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention comprising a stent delivery system, wherein the sleeves are shown in a retracted state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As may be seen in FIG. 1, the present invention may be embodied in a stent delivery catheter, indicated generally at 10. Catheter 10, includes a stent mounting region 12, the stent mounting region 12 may be an inflatable portion of the catheter or may be a separate balloon mounted to the catheter shaft 14. The balloon 12 may have an unexpanded state and an expanded state. A stent 16, disposed about the stent mounting region 12 may be delivered when the balloon 12 is expanded to the expanded state. The stent 16 includes a proximal end 18 and a distal end 20. In the embodiment shown a stent retaining sleeve 22 overlies at least a portion of each end 18 and 20. As is known in the art, when the balloon 12 and stent 16 are expanded to their expanded state, the ends of the stent retaining sleeves will often likewise expand and may also be configured to retract off of the stent ends. In the present invention, the sleeves 22 have a unique construction which allows a first portion 24 of the sleeve which overlies the stent 16 to attain a radial expansion of up to or exceeding 400 percent. The second portion 26 of the sleeve 22 is disposed about and is engaged to a portion of the catheter shaft 14 adjacent to the balloon 12. Because the second portion 26 is not typically subjected to an expansive force its radial expansion is minimal. When the sleeve is expanded, the sleeve undergoes minimal or no increase in length. As stent 16 is expanded, the stent ends 18 and 20 will eventually be drawn from underneath the stent retaining sleeves 22. The present sleeves 22 may expand to nearly the same extent as the balloon 12 thereby ensuring the position of the stent 16 on the catheter 14. By providing a sleeve 22 which may control the time of the release of the stent 16 during the expansion procedure, the present invention ensures that the stent is delivered in an extremely accurate and consistent manner. The sleeves 22 are capable of expanding in the manner described as a result of their unique construction. As previously indicated, the sleeves 22 are constructed from at least two materials having different tensile modulus characteristics. The first material 30 is formed into a generally tubular body 32 which provides the sleeve with its shape. The second material 34 is embodied in at least one substantially longitudinally oriented fiber or filament 36. The first material may be any elastic material known. Preferably the durometer hardness of the first material is between 40A and 100A. The second material 34 may be any material that when presented as one or more longitudinally oriented fibers has a tensile modulus greater than that of the first material. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the fiber 36 may extend substantially across the longitudinal length of the sleeve 22, the material 34 of fiber 36 will tend to provide a greater restriction on longitudinal expansion compared to radial expansion of the sleeve as has been previously described. The first material 30 may be selected from one or more of the following substances: polyurethane-polyether polymers, such as Tecothane™ 1074 A available from Thermedics, Inc.; polyester-polyurethanes, such as Pellethane™ 2103 -70 A sold by Dow Chemical; polyether-polyurethanes, such as Estane™ 5703P sold by BF Goodrich; polyether block amides, such as Pebax™ 2533 available from Elf Atochem; and styrene- butadien-styrene triblock copolymers such as Kraton™ Dl 101 sold by Shell Chemical company. Other materials which may also be used in the production of the first material 30 include, but are not limited to styrenic block copolymers, polyurethanes, silicone rubber, natural rubber, copolyesters, polyamides, EPDM rubber/polyolefm, nitril rubber/PVC, fluoroelastomers, butyl rubber, epichlorohydrin, and any combinations thereof. The second material 34 may be selected from one or more- of the following substances: metal, glass, carbon, and/or polymers. Where the material 34 includes a polymer, such polymer materials may be a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) such as VECTRA ® LKX 1107, 1111, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material, and PPS. Other materials may also be utilized as the fibril component of the present invention. Such substances include aromatic nylon, rigid polyurethane, polyester, copolyester, polyester blends, polyester/polyurethane blends, PEEK, PPS, fluoropolymer and so on. Fiber(s) 36 may also include one or more of the following substances: polyurethane-polyether polymers, such as Tecothane™ 1055D or 1065D both of which are available from Thermedics, Inc.; polyether-polyurethanes, such as Estane™ 58237 sold by BF Goodrich; polyether block amides, such as Pebax™ 7233 or 6333 both of which are availible from Elf Atochem. Other materials which may also be used in the production of the second material 34 include, but are not limited to: polyolefins, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylate, vinyl acetate polymer, cellulose plastics, polyurethanes, polyethylene terephthalate,> polyacetal, polyethers, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylethersulfones, polyaryletherketones, polytetrafluoroethylene, and any combinations thereof. Other materials which may be suitable for use in forming fiber(s) 36 include Nylon, Kevlar™' polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), stainless steel, NITINOL and others. The various materials which may be used to form the fiber or fibers 36 as depicted in the various figures may be combined with the first material 24 in a wide variety of manners and configurations. The material 34 may combine one or more of the materials described above into a fiber 36 such as is shown. Alternatively, the fiber 36 may be a combination of one or more materials woven together, or a single continuous shaft of material or materials, such as a filament or wire of one or more of the materials 34 mentioned above. Other configurations may also be provided, some of which are described in greater detail below. In addition, the manner in which the fiber(s) 36 are combined with the first material 24 may also vary. The fiber(s) 36 may be co-extruded with the first material 24. The fiber(s) 36 may be imbedded into the first material 24, or may be placed over the first material 24. The fiber(s) may also be woven into the matrix of the first material 24. The above examples of the first and second materials 30 and 34 or the configurations of fiber(s) 36 or the various manners in which the fiber(s) 36 and first material 24 may be joined, are in no way exhaustive of the potential substances or combinations of substances which may be used. The present invention is directed to a sleeve composed of any materials which have the respective tensile modulus qualities previously described for the respective materials 30 and 34. As may be seen in the various figures, the present invention may be embodied in a variety of manners. For instance, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the catheter 10 is seen with a pair of sleeves 22 each of which have a single longitudinally parallel fiber 36. The fiber 36 may be a wire, or filament of material placed onto a surface of the body 32. As may be seen in FIG. 2, the sleeve(s) 22 may include a plurality of fibers. The fibers 36 may be arranged in any manner desired, for example, in FIGs. 5 and 6 the sleeve 22 includes a plurality of fibers 36 having a variety of lengths. As may best be seen in FIGs. 5 and 6, the fibers 36 do not need to extend the entire length of the sleeve 22. The fibers 36 may have significantly reduced lengths when compared to that of the sleeve 22. In addition the fibers 36 may be positioned in a uniform manner relative to one another about the circumference 40 of the sleeve 22 such as may be seen in FIGs. 7-12, or the fibers 36 may be randomly distributed such as is illustrated in FIGs. 5 and 6. In FIG. 3 an embodiment of the invention is shown wherein the sleeves 22 have fibers 36 which are tapered. Each fiber 36 has a first end 42 and a second end 44. The first end corresponds to the portion 24 of the sleeve 22 which overlies the end of the stent 16 and the second end 44 corresponds to the portion 26 of the sleeve 22 which is engaged to the catheter shaft 14. The second end 44 has a predetermined width which is greater than and tapers to the predetermined width of the first end 42. By providing the portion 26 of the sleeve 22 with a proportionally stronger second material 34 than the first portion 24, the second portion will have a greater resistance to expansion and will therefor remain engaged to the shaft 14 through out most of the stent delivery procedure. At the same time the comparatively reduced amount of second material 34 at or near the first portion of the sleeve 22, will allow the first portion 24 to more readily and fully expand according to the expansion characteristics of the first material 30, as previously described. FIGs. 4-6 show additional configurations of the fiber 36 as it may be embodied on a sleeve 22 design. FIG. 4 shows a sleeve 22 which includes a plurality of fibers 36 having a sinusoidal configuration. FIGs. 5 and 6, shows a sleeve 22 having fibers 36 with a variety of lengths and configurations. Other arrangements may also be provided. As previously discussed the fibers 36 may be applied to or combined with the body 32 in a variety of manners. For instance where the second material 34 is a coating, the fiber(s) 36 may be directly applied to a surface of the sleeve 22, in any of the patterns or configurations discussed thus far. In the embodiments shown in FIGs. 7-12 a variety of additional fiber 36 and body 32 arrangements are shown. In FIGs. 7 and 8, the sleeve 22 has a predetermined thickness 48. The body 32 and fibers 36 which make up the sleeve 22 have the same uniform thickness 48 through out the entire sleeve 22. Such an arrangement may be possible by forming the sleeve 22 directly via a co-extrusion process, or by bonding uniformly thick pieces of alternating materials together. In FIGs. 9 and 10 an embodiment of the sleeve 22 is shown wherein the fibers 36 are raised relative to the thickness 48 of the body 32. While the thickness of the fibers 36 may be the same or different than that of the body 32, the fibers have a raised appearance because they are positioned in longitudinal grooves 50 positioned longitudinally about the circumference 40 of the sleeve 22. Such a 'raised fiber' may provide for fiber(s) of greater hardness which in turn provides for greater sleeve stiffness. In the embodiment shown in FIGs. 11 and 12, the grooves 50 are also present but the fibers 36 are not raised thereby providing the entire sleeve 22 with a uniform thickness as well as a reduced profile relative to the fiber configurations shown in FIGs. 9 and 10. It should also be noted that the fibers 36 such as are depicted in FIGs. 9- 12 may be raised relative to the inside of the sleeve, such that the fibers 36 extend radially inward relative to the thickness 48 of the body 32. In alternative embodiments, notably those utilized specifically for delivery of a self expanding stent, a retractable sheath (not shown) such as are known in the art, may be employed to overlay the stent. In such embodiments a single sleeve or two sleeves such have been shown and described may be employed to retain the self- expanding stent in place. When the sheath is retracted the stent will expand causing the sleeve(s) to retract. In another embodiment of the invention, the invention may be embodied in a stent delivery catheter, indicated generally at 100 in FIG. 13. Catheter 100, includes a stent mounting region 112, the stent mounting region 112 may be an inflatable portion of the catheter or may be a separate balloon mounted to the catheter shaft 114. The balloon 112 may be inflatable between an unexpanded state and a fully expanded state. A variety of mechanisms such as inflation lumen(s) (not shown) positioned in or around the shaft 114 and extending from the balloon to the proximal end of the catheter (not shown) may be utilized to fluid inflate the balloon from a remote location outside of a body as is well understood in the art. As is well known, balloons may be initially inflated to a nominal pressure in order to provide the stent delivery system with the familiar shape presently shown. This nominally inflated state is often referred to as the "uninflated" or first inflation state. Similarly, the balloon 112 may be considered to have a fully inflated or second inflation state, such as may be seen in FIGS. 26 and 27, wherein the balloon 112 has been inflated to a predetermined pressure sufficient to expand and delivery the medical device or stent 116 mounted thereon. Depending on the particular characteristics of the balloon 112 as well as the particular characteristics of the device being delivered, the balloon may have a variety of inflation pressures and expansion characteristics. The stent 116 is disposed about at least a portion of the balloon 112 prior to delivery when the balloon is inflated to the second or fully inflated state. The stent 116 includes a proximal end 118 and a distal end 120. In the embodiment shown, in FIG. 13 a first portion 124 of a stent retaining sleeve 122 overlies at least a portion of each end 118 and 120. The second portion 126 of the sleeve 122 is engaged to a portion of the catheter shaft 114. When the balloon 112 and stent 116 are expanded to the delivery state, the first portions 124 of the stent retaining sleeves 122 are configured to retract off of the stent ends 118 and 120. In the present invention however, the sleeves 122 have a unique construction which allows the sleeve 122 to longitudinally foreshorten at least 5 percent or more when the balloon is expanded from the first inflation state shown in FIG. 13 to the fully inflated state such as may be seen in the embodiments shown in FIGs. 26 and 27. The improved foreshortening characteristics of the present sleeves 122 are the result of the unique composite construction of the sleeves 122 which includes a combination of a matrix 133 composed of a matrix material 130, and one or more stripes 135 composed of a stripe material 134. The matrix material 130 will have a hardness value which on the Shore A durometer scale is less than the hardness value of the stripe material 134. The matrix material 130 is formed into -a generally tubular body 132 which provides the sleeve 22 with its shape as well as its inside surface 200 and outside surface 202. The matrix material 130 may be any elastomer material known which has a hardness as measured by a Shore A durometer of less than 100 A (or 55D on the Shore D scale). Preferably, the durometer hardness of the matrix material is between 40 A and 100A. The stripe material 134 may be any material having a durometer hardness greater than about 55D. In at least one embodiment of the invention the matrix material 130 has a hardness of 65 A and the stripe material 134 has a hardness of 75D. The harder stripes 135 restrict the elasticity of the matrix 133 such that when the balloon 112 expands to deliver the stent 116 the longitudinal expansion of the sleeve 122 is restricted. Alternatively, the sleeve 122 may be provided with a negative expansion. Such that when the balloon is expanded to deliver the stent 116, rather than longitudinally stretch or expand, the sleeves 122 will foreshorten from a first sleeve length at the first inflation state to a second shorter length in the second inflation state. The sleeves 122 may be constructed to foreshorten at least 5 percent to 20 percent or more. The ability to foreshorten to the extent described above provides the sleeve 122 with improved retraction characteristics. As a result, rather than providing a stent 116 with sleeves at both ends 118 and 120, a single longer sleeve 122 such as is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2 may have a first portion 124 which overlies both ends 118 and 120 of the stent. When the balloon 112 is inflated to expand and deliver the stent 116 the entire sleeve 122 is withdrawn off of the stent 116. In the embodiment shown, the second portion 126 of the sleeve 122 is engaged to a portion of the shaft 114 proximal to the balloon 112. As a result, when the balloon 112 is inflated to deliver the stent 116, the sleeve 122 will foreshorten and retract off of the stent in the proximal direction. It should be noted however, that in an alternative embodiment the single sleeve 122 may be positioned distal of the stent 116 for distal retraction therefrom. As may be seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, the stripe component 135 is imbedded in the matrix 133 and the longitudinal length of the stripe 135 is completely surrounded therein. However, the ends 137 and 139 of the stripe 135 may be exposed at the ends of the sleeve 124 and 126 respectively. Alternatively the matrix material 134 may overlap the ends 137 and 139 ^ of the stripe 135 thereby completely enveloping the entire surface of the stripe 135. The number of stripes 135 may vary from a single stripe 135 such as may be seen in FIGS. 13 and 14 to several stripes as shown in the various embodiments of the unexpanded or preinflation state sleeves 122 depicted in FIGS. 15-22. In FIGS. 15-20 it is shown that the stripes 135 may have a wide variety of orientations and positions relative to the matrix 133. The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 15-20 are just several examples of the configurations which may be utilized. One of skill in the art will recognize that the present invention is also directed to all other configurations, orientations and numbers of strips 135 which may be utilized with the matrix 133. In FIG. 15, the stripes 135 are imbedded within the matrix 133 and extend the entire length of the sleeve 122. In the present embodiment, prior to being mounted on the stent delivery catheter the stripes 135 are oriented within the matrix 133 to be parallel to the longitudinal axis 113 of the sleeve 122. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, a pair of stripes 135 are configured within the matrix 133 in opposing zig-zag patterns. The stripes 135 extend from a respective end 124 or 126 of the sleeve 122 and extend to a middle portion 115 of the sleeve 122 and then extend back toward the respective sleeve end in an alternating pattern. In the embodiment shown, the zig-zag configured stripes 135 may be made up of individual lengths 151 whose ends are adjacent to one another near the respective ends 124 and 126, or middle portion 115 of the sleeve 122. Alternatively, a single zig-zag stripe 135 may be employed which is a continuous strand having a plurality of folds 141 at the sleeve ends 124 and 126 to provide the pattern shown. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the stripes 135 are in a zig-zag pattern wherein the stripe 135 (or lengths 151 thereof) which are angularly disposed relative to the longitudinal axis 113 of the sleeve 122. However, in FIG. 17 the stripes 135 (or lengths 151 thereof) fully extend from one end 124 of the sleeve 122 to the other 126. The unique in a multiple zig-zag pattern of the stripes 135 such as may be seen in FIG. 17 may assist the sleeves in attaining an S-fold configuration when retracted off of the stent ends 118 and 122 such as may be seen in FIG. 27. In FIG. 18, an embodiment of the sleeve is shown wherein each of the plurality of stripes 135 have a random length which may or may not extend the entire length of the sleeve 122. Additionally, the individual stripes 135 may or may not be parallel to the longitudinal axis 113, and may have a completely random orientation 5 relative to the longitudinal axis 113. It should also be noted that the stripes 135 may or may not be arranged in a uniform pattern such as is shown in the previously described embodiments. In FIG. 19, a pair of strands 135 are shown in a double helix configuration wherein each strand 135 is helically disposed relative to the longitudinal axis 113 in 10 opposing directions. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20 a plurality of helically disposed strands 135 are imbedded in the matrix 133, wherein each of the sfrands 135 is oriented in the same direction. Where the strands or stripes 135 are arranged in a helical pattern in between the matrix 133, the strands 135 will provide a significant foreshortening effect 15 as the strands arranged widely in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the strands 135 should not be arranged such that they affect the radial expansion of the matrix 133. While a wide variety of strand 135 configurations may be used, at least one configuration such as a double helix of a relatively wide open arrangement where strands 135 are no more than 30 degrees angularly disposed relative to the longitudinal axis 113 of the 20 sleeve 122, may provide improved foreshortening characteristics. In FIGS. 21-22 embodiments of the sleeve 122 are shown wherein the stripes 135 need not be completely imbedded within the matrix 133. In FIG 21, the stripes 135 are engaged to the inner surface 200 of the matrix 133, whereas in FIG. 20 the stripes 135 are engaged to the outer surface 202 of the matrix 133. Whether engaged to 25 the inside surface 200 or outside surface 202, the matrix 133 may partially surround the stripes 135. Alternatively or in addition, the stripes 135 may be secured to the respective surface 200 and 202 in a variety of manners. For example, chemical adhesives, heat welding by laser or other means, chemical welding, etc, or other securing methods may all be used to secure the stripes 135 to the respective surfaces 200 and 202 of the matrix 30 133. However, in a preferred embodiment, the matrix material 130 and the stripe material 134 are coextruded. It should also be noted that in an alternative embodiment one or more stripes may be engaged to the inner surface of the matrix, the outer surface of the matrix, and/or imbedded within the matrix or any combination thereof. Regardless of the position of the stripes within the matrix or on of its surfaces, the stripes may be positioned in any of the variety of configurations and orientations described herein. In any of the embodiments described and/or depicted herein, the matrix material 130 may be selected from a wide variety of substances. For example the matrix may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following substances: soft grade polyester/poly ether elastomers such as Amitel™ available from DSM Engineering, polyurethane-polyether polymers, such as Tecothane™ 1074A available from Thermedics, Inc.; polyester-polyurethanes, such as Pellethane™ 2102-75A sold by Dow Chemical; polyester-polyurethanes, such as Estane™ 5703P sold by BF Goodrich; polyether block amides, such as Pebax™ 2533 and 3533 available from Elf Atochem; and styrene-butadien-styrene triblock copolymers such as Kraton™ D1101 sold by Shell Chemical company. Other materials which may also be used in the production of the matrix material 130 include, but are not limited to styrenic block copolymers, polyurethanes, silicone rubber, natural rubber, copolyesters, polyamides, EPDM rubber/polyolefin, nitril rubber/PVC, fluoroelastomers, butyl rubber, epichlorohydrin, soft block copolymers, and any combinations thereof. The stripe material 134 may also be selected from a wide range of materials. For example the stripe material 134 may be include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following substances: polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT),Nylon™, engineering thermoplastic polyurethanes, fluoropolymers, polyester/polyether elastomers such as Arnitel™ available from DSM Engineering, polyurethane-polyether polymers, such as Tecothane™ 1055D or 1075D, Tecoplast™ 470 both of which are available from Thermedics, Inc.; polyester-polyurethanes, such as Estane™ 58170 sold by BF Goodrich; polyether block amides, such as Pebax™ 7233 or 6333 both of which are available from Elf Atochem. Other materials which may also be used in the production of the stripe material 134 include, but are not limited to: polyolefins, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylate, vinyl acetate polymer, cellulose plastics, polyurethanes, polyethylene terephthalate, polyacetal, polyethers, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylethersulfones, polyaryletherketones, polytetrafluoroethylene, and any combinations thereof. The above examples of the matrix and stripe materials 130 and 134 respectively, are in no way exhaustive of the potential substances or combinations of substances which may be used. The present invention is directed to a sleeve 122 composed of any materials which have the qualities previously described for the respective materials 130 and 134. As may be seen in the various figures, the present invention may be embodied in a variety of manners. Similarly, the sleeves 122 themselves may be provided in a wide range of striped configurations. As may be seen in FIG. 23, the stripes 135 themselves may also be provided in a variety of designs. In FIG. 23, a close- up view of a stripe 135 is shown within the surrounding mafrix 133. The stripe 135 is made up of a plurality of interwoven fibers 140 which are woven together to form a braid structure 142. The braided configuration of the stripe 135 provides the sleeve 122 with a stripe or stripes 135 that may be substantially stronger than a single monofilament fiber 140, while maintaining the desired hardness and flexibility characteristics of the stripe material 134. As a result the sleeve 122 with one or more braids 142 of a given stripe material 134 shown will have improved longitudinal strength characteristics without a reduction in flexibility which may have resulted if a harder material 134 were used to form the sfripe 135. In addition, where the stripe 135 is a braid 142 of several fibers 140, the individual fibers may be materials different from one another. Not only are the stripes 135 variable in their characteristics, but the matrix 133 may also be provided in alternative forms. In FIG. 24, an embodiment of the sleeve 122 is shown wherein the matrix material 130 is actually a combination of materials. In the embodiment shown the matrix 133 is a combination of an inner material 146 and an outer material 148, with a plurality of stripes 135 sandwiched in between. Providing the matrix 133 with a combination of materials may provide the sleeve 122 with even greater improvements for retraction of the sleeve. For example, the inner material 146 may be a layer of hydrophobic elastomer such as a Siloxane-Polyurethane copolymer which has a relatively low surface friction and less tack, thereby providing the sleeve 122 with a reduced frictional interface between the inner surface 200 of the and a the stent 116 and/or balloon 112 (shown in FIG. 13). The outer material 148 may be comprised of a hydrophilic elastomer, such as hydrophilic polyurethane, which may provide the outer surface 202 of the sleeve 122 with wet lubricity characteristics when the outer surface is in contact with bodily fluids, such as when the catheter is advanced through a vessel. In addition to the example provided, it should be noted that the inner material 146 and the outer material 148 of the sleeve 122 may be provided with a wide variety of different or similar material combinations. In FIG. 25 another embodiment is shown wherein the mafrix 133 is comprised of three layers, with the stripes completely imbedded within an intermediate layer 150, which is in turn sandwiched between the outer material 148 and inner material 146. Such an embodiment may be useful when the materials selected for the outer material 148 and imier material 146 do not tend to readily bond together and an intermediate material 150 is used to provide a material which the outer material 148 and inner material 146 may be more readily bonded to. The matrix 133 is not limited to only the one, two or three layer configurations described herein, but may be embodied in a wide range of configurations having a plurality of layers of one or more materials. The sleeves 122 may be provided in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The sleeves may have surface features such as dimples or troughs, or may have structural alterations such as through holes or ports, for altering the retraction characteristics of the sleeve. The sleeve 122 may include additional layers such as internal or external coatings, such as may be known in the art for improving the sleeve's as well as the catheter's performance. In addition to the above, the sleeves may be provided with any of the variety of retraction configurations which may be known. For example, in FIG. 26. the sleeves 122 are designed to retract off of the stent ends 118 and 120 when the balloon 112 is inflated to deliver the stent 116, but the first portion 114 of each of the sleeves 122 continues to overlay the cone portions 152 and 154 respectively of the balloon 112. Such a configuration may be useful in collapse and rewrap of the balloon subsequent to stent delivery. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 27, sleeves 122 are configured to retract completely off of the stent 116 as well as the balloon cones 152 and 154. In addition to being directed to the specific combinations of features claimed below, the invention is also directed to embodiments having other combinations of the dependent features claimed below and other combinations of the features described above. The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term "comprising" means "including, but not limited to". Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims. Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A stent delivery system comprising: a catheter including a stent mounting region; a stent disposed about the stent mounting region of the catheter, the stent having a distal end and a proximal end, the stent further having a first expansion state and a second expansion state, and at least one stent retaining sleeve, the at least one stent retaining sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end overlying an end of the stent when the stent is in the first expansion state, the second end engaged to at least a portion of the catheter adjacent to the stent mounting region, the at least one stent retaining sleeve comprising a first material and a second material, the first material having at least one material characteristic different than that of the second material. 2. The stent delivery system of claim 1 wherein the at least one material characteristic is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of: tensile modulus, hardness, flexibility, elasticity, modulus of elasticity and any combination thereof. 3. The stent delivery system of claim 1 wherein the first material has a first predetermined tensile modulus and the second material has a second predetermined tensile modulus, the second predetermined tensile modulus being greater than that of the first predetermined tensile modulus. 4. The stent delivery system of claim 3, wherein the second material comprises at least one substantially longitudinally oriented fiber. 5. The stent delivery system of claim 3 wherein the second material comprises a plurality of substantially longitudinally oriented fibers. 6. The stent delivery system of claim 4 wherein the at least one substantially longitudinally oriented fiber comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first predetermined width, and the second portion having a second predetermined width, the first predetermined width being less than the second predetermined width, the first portion substantially oriented toward the first end of the at least one stent retaining sleeve and the second portion substantially oriented toward the 5 second end of the at least one stent retaining sleeve. The first predetermined width tapering to the second predetermined width. 7. The stent delivery system of claim 6 wherein the first predetermined width is zero. 10 8. The stent delivery system of claim 4 wherein the at least one substantially longitudinally oriented fiber is characterized as being substantially sinusoidal in shape. 9. The stent delivery system of claim 4 wherein the first material and the at least one 15 substantially longitudinally oriented fiber are co-extruded. 10. The stent delivery system of claim 4 wherein the substantially longitudinally oriented fiber is a wire, the wire engaged to the first material of the at least one stent retaining sleeve. 20 11. The stent delivery system of claim 4 wherein the substantially longitudinally oriented fiber is at least partially compose of a polymer. 12. The stent delivery system of claim 4 wherein the at least one stent retaining sleeve 25 has a predetermined thickness and the first material having at least one groove, the at least one groove having a predetermined thickness less than the predetermined thickness of the at least one stent retaining sleeve, at least one substantially longitudinally oriented fiber being positioned within the at least one groove. 30 13. The stent delivery system of claim 4 wherein the first material has a predetermined thickness and the at least one substantially longitudinally oriented fiber of a second material has a predetermined thickness, wherein the predetermined thickness of the first material and the predetermined thickness of the at least one substantially longitudinally oriented fiber are the same. 14. The stent delivery system of claim 5, the at least one stent retaining sleeve further comprising a circumference, the plurality of substantially longitudinally oriented fibers being uniformly spaced apart about the circumference. 15. The stent delivery system of claim 5, the at least one stent retaining sleeve further comprising a circumference, the plurality of substantially longitudinally oriented fibers are randomly dispersed about the circumference. 16. The stent delivery system of claim 1 wherein the first material is constructed from at least one member of the group consisting of: styrenic block copolymers, polyurethanes, silicone rubber, natural rubber, copolyesters, polyamides, EPDM rubber/polyolefin, nitril rubber/PVC, fluoroelastomers, butyl rubber, epichlorohydrin, and any combinations thereof. 17. The stent delivery system of claim 1 wherein the second material is constructed from at least one member of the group consisting of: liquid crystal polymers, polyolefins, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylate, vinyl acetate polymer, cellulose plastics, polyurethanes, polyethylene terephthalate, polyacetal, polyethers, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylethersulfones, polyaryletherketones, polytefrafluoroethylene, polyethyleneterephthalate, nylon, metal, carbon, glass and any combinations thereof. 18. The stent delivery system of claim 1 wherein the first end of the at least one stent retaining sleeve having an unexpanded diameter and an expanded diameter, the expanded diameter of the first end being up to approximately 400 percent greater than the unexpanded diameter; whereby when the balloon is expanded from the first expansion state to the second expansion state the unexpanded diameter of the first end of the at least one stent retaining sleeve is increased by up to approximately 400 percent to the expanded diameter. 5 19. The stent delivery system of claim 1 wherein the at least one stent retaining sleeve is constructed and arranged to longitudinally foreshorten from a first predetermined length in the first expansion state to a second predetermined length in the second expansion state, the second predetermined length being more than 5 percent shorter than 10 the first predetermined length, further wherein in the second expansion state the stent is in the second expanded state and the first end of the at least one stent retaining sleeve is retracted off of the stent thereby releasing the stent from the catheter. 20. The stent delivery system of claim 19 wherein the second predetermined length is 15 at least 10 percent shorter than the first predetermined length. 21. The stent delivery system of claim 19 wherein the second predetermined length is at least 20 percent shorter than the first predetermined length. 20 22. The stent delivery system of claim 19 wherein the first material comprises a matrix of a matrix material and the second material comprises at least one elongate stripe of a sfripe material, the at least one elongate stripe being engaged to the mafrix. 23. The stent delivery system of claim 22 wherein the matrix material and the stripe 25 material have different material characteristics. 24. The stent delivery system of claim 22 wherein the at least one elongate sfripe is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one sleeve in an unexpanded state. 30 25. The stent delivery system qf claim 24 wherein the at least one elongate sfripe has a length substantially equal to that of the matrix. 26. The stent delivery system of claim 22 wherein the at least one elongate stripe is characterized as being oriented in a helical manner relative to the matrix. 27. The stent delivery system of claim 22 wherein the at least one elongate stripe extends back and forth in a repeating manner from the first end of the at least one sleeve to the second end of the at least one sleeve at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the at least one sleeve. 28. The stent delivery system of claim 22 wherein the at least one elongate stripe comprises a first stripe and a second sfripe, the first stripe extending back and forth in a repeating manner from the first end of the at least one sleeve to a middle portion of the at least one sleeve at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the at least one sleeve, the second stripe extending back and forth in a repeating manner from the second end of the at least one sleeve to the middle portion of the at least one sleeve at a second predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the at least one sleeve. 29. The stent delivery system of claim 28 wherein the first predetermined angle and the second predetermined angle are the same. 30. The stent delivery system of claim 22 wherein the at least one elongate stripe of the stripe material is constructed of a plurality of fibers of the stripe material woven together to form at least one braid. 31. The stent delivery system of claim 22 wherein the at least one elongate sfripe is a plurality of elongate stripes. 32. The stent delivery system of claim 31 wherein at least one of the plurality of elongate stripes is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one sleeve in an unexpanded state. 5 33. The stent delivery system of claim 31 wherein at least one of the plurality of elongate stripes is oriented in a helical manner relative to the matrix. 34. The stent delivery system of claim 31 wherein the plurality of elongate stripes extend back and forth from the first end of the at least one sleeve to the second end of the 10 at least one sleeve, each of the plurality of elongate stripes being disposed at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the at least one sleeve. 35. The stent delivery system of claim 31 wherein each of the plurality of elongate stripes has a predetermined length different from one another. 15 36. The stent delivery system of claim 31 wherein the plurality of elongate stripes are distributed throughout the matrix in a uniform manner. 37. The stent delivery system of claim 31 wherein each of the plurality of elongate 20 stripes have a uniform orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of the at least one sleeve. 38. The stent delivery system of claim 31 wherein the plurality of elongate stripes are distributed throughout the matrix randomly. 25 39. The stent delivery system of claim 31 wherein each of the plurality of elongate stripes have a uniform orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of the at least one sleeve. 40. The stent delivery system of claim 31 wherein the plurality of elongate sfripes are distributed randomly throughout the matrix. 30 41. The stent delivery system of claim 31 wherein each of the plurality of elongate stripes have a randomly determined orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of the at least one sleeve. 42. The stent delivery system of claim 22 wherein the at least one elongate stripe is substantially enclosed by the matrix. 43. The stent delivery system of claim 22 wherein the mafrix has an outside surface, the at least one elongate sfripe being engaged to the outside surface of the matrix. 44. The stent delivery system of claim 22 wherein the mafrix has an inside surface, the at least one elongate sfripe being engaged to the inside surface of the matrix. 45. The stent delivery system of claim 22 wherein the matrix material further comprises a plurality of matrix layers, each of the plurality of mafrix layers being a different material. 46. The stent delivery system of claim 45 wherein the plurality of matrix layers comprise an inner matrix layer and an outer matrix layer. 47. The stent delivery system of claim 46 wherein the at least one elongate sfripe is positioned between at least a portion of the imier matrix layer and the outer matrix layer. 48. The stent delivery system of claim 46 wherein the plurality of matrix layers further comprise an intermediate matrix layer positioned between the inner matrix layer and the outer matrix layer, the at least one elongate sfripe being substantially enclosed within the intermediate matrix material. 49. The stent delivery system of claim 22 wherein the matrix material is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of: styrenic block copolymers, polyurethanes, silicone rubber, natural rubber, copolyesters, polyamides, EPDM rubber/polyolefin, nitril rubber/PNC, fluoroelastomers, butyl rubber, epichlorohydrin, and any combinations thereof. 50. The stent delivery system of claim 22 wherein the stripe material is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of: liquid crystal polymers, polyolefins, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylate, vinyl acetate polymer, cellulose plastics, polyurethanes, polyethylene terephthalate, polyacetal, polyethers, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylethersulfones, polyaryletherketones, polytefrafluoroethylene, polyethyleneterephthalate, nylon, metal, carbon, glass and any combinations thereof. 51. A stent retaining sleeve for retaining one or more stent ends on a balloon catheter comprising: a tubular member composed of a matrix material and at least one elongate stripe of a sfripe material, the tubular member having a first inflation state and a second inflation state; the tubular member having a first end and a second end, the first end constructed and arranged to overlay at least one end of a stent prior to being placed in the second inflation state, the second end constructed and arranged to be in contact with at least a portion of a catheter adjacent to the stent, the tubular member constructed and arranged to longitudinally foreshorten from a first predetermined length in the first inflation state to a second predetermined length in the second inflation state, the second predetermined length being more than 5 percent shorter than the first predetermined length. 52. A stent retaining sleeve for retaining stent ends on a balloon catheter comprising: a tubular member composed of a first material and at least one substantially longitudinally oriented fiber of a second material, wherein the first material has a predetermined tensile modulus and the second material has a predetermined tensile modulus, the predetermined tensile modulus of the second material being greater than the predetermined tensile modulus of the first material; the tubular member having a first end and a second end, the first end constructed and arranged to overlay an end of a stent, the second end constructed and arranged to be in contact with at least a portion of a catheter; the first end of the tubular member having an unexpanded diameter and an expanded diameter whereby when the balloon catheter is expanded the unexpanded diameter increases by up to 400 percent to the expanded diameter. 53. The stent retaining sleeve of claim 52, the sleeve having an unexpanded length and an expanded length, the unexpanded length being substantially the same as the expanded length.

Inventors: CHEN JOHN JIANHUA, CHIN ALBERT C C, HORN DANIEL J, MILLER PAUL J, SEPPALA JAN D, YANG DACHUAN, CHEN, JOHN JIANHUA, CHIN, ALBERT C. C., HORN, DANIEL J., MILLER, PAUL J., SEPPALA, JAN D., YANG, DACHUAN
Applicants: SCIMED LIFE SYSTEMS INC, SCIMED LIFE SYSTEMS, INC.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A61F2
IPC codes: A61F2, A61M25