SELF-EXPANDING SIDE BRANCH BIFURCATED STENT

摘要

A bifurcated stent having a self-expanding side branch assembly and at least one restraining tether. The restraining tether prevents the side branch assembly from expanding until so desired. When desired, the restraining tether is pulled from the side branch assembly allowing the side branch to self deploy. This design allows for the side branch to deploy independent of and before, after, or during the expansion of the main stent body. It also removes any need to coordinate the inflation of multiple balloons or the complicated inflation of irregularly shaped balloons.