STENT RANGE TRANSDUCERS AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

The present invention provides exemplary apparatus, systems and methods for accurately delivering and positioning a stent within a body lumen, particularly within a bifurcated body lumen. In one embodiment, a stent delivery system (100) includes a catheter (15) comprising a catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis (200) and a lumen. An expansion device, which in one embodiment is a balloon (20), is disposed nea r the catheter body distal end, and a stent (10) having a side hole (12) is disposed over the expansion device. An ultrasound transducer (22) is dispose d near the catheter body distal end and positioned for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals through the side hole to help properly align th e stent side hole with a branch vessel (16).