RAIL STENT AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

Devices, systems and methods are provided for stenting body lumens. In particular, stents are provided which are advanceabke directly over a guidewire and expandable within a target location of a body lumen by etraction of the guidewire and/or by releasing consstraining element(s) disposed around at least a portion of the stent. Typically the constraining element(s) have the form of one or more bands or layers of material which hold the stent in an unexpanded configuration. These stent designs allow delivery to a body lumen without the need for a number of additional devices which are typically used in the delivery of conventional stents, thereby reducing the profile of the stent during deliver, increasing the flexibility of the stent during delivery to allow passage through more tortous pathways, and allowing the delivery of branched or otherwise connected stents to body lumens, such as branched lumens.