| 摘要 |
<p><P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for the delivery, deployment and retrieval of a medical intravascular prosthesis called 'stent' in general. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus for delivering the stent 28 made from a phase change material to the inside of a vas 100 for deploying and retrieving it includes a balloon catheter 22 modified to allow the stent 28 to be secured on the outside of the balloon 27 without the need for a sheath. A temperature- controlled fluid to effect a phase change to expand the stent 28 is injected through an inflation lumen 25 to maintain the selected temperature and to inflate the balloon. The balloon maintains intimate physical and thermal contact with the stent during development. One or more exit apertures 29 are provided for the fluid to escape from the inflation lumen 25 and enhance the phase change by bathing the stent with the fluid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO</p> |
