SELF-EXPANDING BIFURCATION STENT AND DELIVERY SYSTEM

摘要

This invention relates to self-expanding bifurcation stents, a delivery sleeve for such stents and a method of delivery of such stents. The invention is designed to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of deployment of self-expanding stents at a bifurcation. The system (1) includes a self-expanding stent (5) and corresponding delivery sleeve (6) adapted to house two guidewires (3, 4), one of which exits from the distal end and a second of which exits from a side hole (8) in the stent (5). In a preferred form, the side hole (8) in the delivery sleeve (6) extends from the position of exit of the second guidewire (4) through the stent (5) to the distal end of the sleeve. Means are provided for ensuring that the slotted delivery sleeve effectively confines the self-expanding stent (5) until it needs to be deployed.