Centering for a TAA

摘要

A stent graft is deployed by a steerable catheter delivery system having a integral tip capture release mechanism. The steering mechanism provides for a locked interference with a distal lock at the distal end of the delivery catheter. The configuration allows for selective circumferentially distributed release of one half or less of the number of crowns of a proximal spring which are captured by a tip capture mechanism so that new positioning of the stent graft can be verified and assured before full release of all proximal spring crowns is done. In this way, one or more steering elements of a catheter can be maintained in tension until catheter position is verified and acceptable stent graft position is achieved. This apparatus and method is particularly useful for deploying stent graft in curved passages such a thoracic aorta.

主权项

1. A prosthesis delivery catheter comprising:
a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having a distal anchor; a steering member receiving opening disposed in said distal anchor; a steering member extending along said catheter shaft from said distal anchor to a handle at said proximal end of said catheter shaft; a release member extending along said catheter shaft from said distal anchor to a handle at said proximal end of said catheter shaft; wherein said release member in a lock position has a distal end disposed to prevent a distal end of the steering member disposed in said steering member receiving opening from separating from said steering member receiving opening in said distal anchor, wherein when said release member is moved to a release position said distal end of said steering member is not prevented from separating from said steering member receiving opening in said distal anchor, and wherein when the steering member is disposed in said steering member receiving opening in the locked lock position, the steering member is configured to be placed in tension by steering tabs disposed in the handle such that tension applied to the steering tabs causes tension in the steering member to shorten a length of the catheter on the side of the steering member causing the catheter to bend.