摘要:
A system for delivering and implanting a radially expandable endoluminal prosthesis within a body lumen (e.g., blood vessel). The system comprises a) an introducer/dilator assembly, and b) a delivery catheter/loader assembly. The introducer/dilator assembly comprises an elongate tubular introducer sheath which may be provided with a valving assembly mounted on the proximal end thereof. Such valving assembly may incorporate i) a hemostatic valve, ii) a first sealing valve and iii) a second sealing valve, positioned in series, to prevent leakage of body fluid out of the proximal end of the introducer and to permit two or more elongate members (e.g., catheters, guidewires) having differing outer diameters to be inserted through the introducer without leakage of body fluid therefrom. A dilator, which has regionalized differences in stiffness, is initially deployable within the lumen of the introducer to facilitate advancement of the introducer to its desired location within the body. Thereafter, the dilator may be removed from the introducer sheath and the delivery catheter/loader assembly may be attached to the introducer, such that the delivery catheter having the prosthesis mounted thereon may advanced through the introducer, to a desired location within the body. Thereafter, the radial expandable endoluminal prosthesis mounted on the delivery catheter is deployed and implanted by an expansion device (e.g., balloon) formed on the delivery catheter. The delivery catheter may incorporate one or more outflow apertures at specific location(s) to facilitate injection of radiographic contrast medium in a manner which will check for leakage around the endoluminal prosthesis, after the endoluminal prosthesis has been radially expanded and implanted.
摘要:
A system for delivering and implanting a radially expandable endoluminal prosthesis within a body lumen (e.g., blood vessel). The system comprises a) an introducer/dilator assembly, and b) a delivery catheter/loader assembly. The introducer/dilator assembly comprises an elongate tubular introducer sheath which may be provided with a valving assembly mounted on the proximal end thereof. Such valving assembly may incorporate i) a hemostatic valve, ii) a first sealing valve and iii) a second sealing valve, positioned in series, to prevent leakage of body fluid out of the proximal end of the introducer and to permit two or more elongate members (e.g., catheters, guidewires) having differing outer diameters to be inserted through the introducer without leakage of body fluid therefrom. A dilator, which has regionalized differences in stiffness, is initially deployable within the lumen of the introducer to facilitate advancement of the introducer to its desired location within the body. Thereafter, the dilator may be removed from the introducer sheath and the delivery catheter/loader assembly may be attached to the introducer, such that the delivery catheter having the prosthesis mounted thereon may advanced through the introducer, to a desired location within the body. Thereafter, the radial expandable endoluminal prosthesis mounted on the delivery catheter is deployed and implanted by an expansion device (e.g., balloon) formed on the delivery catheter. The delivery catheter may incorporate one or more outflow apertures at specific location(s) to facilitate injection of radiographic contrast medium in a manner which will check for leakage around the endoluminal prosthesis, after the endoluminal prosthesis has been radially expanded and implanted.
摘要:
Methods for folding a catheter mounted balloon, and delivery catheter systems which incorporate radially expandable intraluminal devices (e.g., stents, grafts and stented grafts) which are mounted on a balloon folded in accordance with this method. The method comprises generally folding the balloon at least twice, in opposite directions, so that any rotational forces created by the unfolding of the balloon as it is inflated will counteract each other, and will thus avoid substantial rotational movement of the intraluminal device during its radial expansion.