Devices and methods for controlling expandable prostheses during deployment

摘要

A catheter for delivering a prosthesis to a treatment site in a body lumen comprises an elongate flexible member and a sheath slidably disposed thereover. A plurality of self-expanding tubular prostheses are carried in axially spaced apart locations along the elongate member, within the sheath. The prostheses may be selectively interlocked with one another and are constrained by the sheath in a radially contracted configuration. The prostheses are separately releasable from the sheath when the sheath is retracted relative to the elongate member. The catheter also has a pusher member slidably disposed along the elongate member within the sheath. The pusher is adapted to move past the prostheses in a first direction without displacing the prostheses, while in a second direction the pusher engages a selected prosthesis so as to move the prosthesis with the pusher to interlock the selected prosthesis with a second prosthesis.

主权项

1. A catheter for delivering a prosthesis to a treatment site in a body lumen, the catheter comprising:
an elongate flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end; a sheath slidably disposed over the elongate flexible member; a plurality of self-expanding tubular prostheses carried in axially spaced-apart locations along the elongate flexible member and within the sheath, the plurality of self-expanding tubular prostheses adapted to be selectively interlocked with one another and constrained by the sheath in a radially contracted configuration, the prostheses being separately releasable from the sheath as the sheath is retracted relative to the elongate flexible member; and a pusher member slidably disposed along the elongate flexible member within the sheath, the pusher member adapted to move past the prostheses in a first direction, while in a second direction the pusher member engages a selected prosthesis so as to move the prosthesis with the pusher member to interlock the selected prosthesis with a second prosthesis; wherein the pusher member has an engagement member which is deflectable radially inward by contact with the prostheses when moved in the first direction.