Mechanical apparatus and method for deployment of expandable prosthesis

摘要

A mechanical prosthesis deployment device for enlarging a flow passage of a vessel by delivering and deploying an expandable stent or prosthesis within an obstruction in the vessel. The prosthesis deployment device comprises a cylindrically shaped expansion member adapted to be disposed within the expandable prosthesis and includes a means engaged to the expansion member for altering the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the expansion member thereby transforming the expansion member between a diametrically contracted configuration and a diametrically expanded configuration. The present method comprises the steps of advancing the expansion member to the obstruction in a vessel and applying opposed forces on said expansion member in an axial direction to move the expansion member to an expanded configuration wherein the expansion member exerts radial force on said prosthesis and said prosthesis is expanded and implanted into the vessel. Another method comprises the steps of advancing the expansion member to the obstruction in a vessel and applying opposed forces on said expansion member in an axial direction to move the expansion member to an expanded configuration wherein the expansion member exerts radial force on a previously deployed prosthesis and said prosthesis is further expanded and implanted into the vessel.