Balloon expandable stent graft and apparatus and method for expanding a balloon expandable stent graft

摘要

A stent-graft delivery system includes a balloon, a sleeve disposed over the balloon, and a stent graft mounted over the sleeve. The sleeve includes a weakened area between a first end and a second end of the sleeve such that when the balloon is expanded, the balloon expands from a center portion of the balloon towards the ends of the balloon. The weakened area of the sleeve may be a slit, a thinner wall section, grooves, notches, or other weakening features. The sleeve may be adhesively attached to an outer shaft of the catheter or to an outer surface of the balloon.

主权项

1. A stent graft delivery system comprising:
a balloon; a sleeve disposed over the balloon, wherein the sleeve includes a weakened area between a first end and a second end of the sleeve; and a stent graft mounted over the sleeve, the stent graft including a stent coupled to a graft material, wherein the balloon and sleeve are configured such that upon inflation, the balloon expands from a middle portion of the balloon towards ends of the balloon such that the stent graft expands from a middle portion of the stent graft towards ends of the stent graft.