| 摘要 |
A stent-graft delivery system which includes a catheter, an expandable balloon having non-tapered ends positioned near the distal end of the catheter, a stent circumferentially positioned around a center of the balloon, and a graft circumferentially positioned around the stent. The balloon configuration comprising non-tapered ends may be achieved by 1) preforming the balloon to the desired geometry which comprises substantially non-tapered ends; 2) positioning a non-compliant sheath over each of the ends of an existing balloon having tapered ends, or 3) invertedly attaching the first and second ends of a compliant tubular member to the catheter to form the desired balloon configuration. The desired balloon configuration is a balloon geometry which uniformly conforms to the geometry of the stent-graft assembly. A method for introducing the stent-graft delivery system into a blood vessel are also disclosed. The method includes inserting the stent-graft delivery system into the blood vessel, guiding the stent-graft assembly to the desired site, inflating the balloon of the balloon catheter, deflating the balloon, and withdrawing the catheter and expandable balloon. The stent-graft delivery systems are also suitable for introducing and delivering stents without grafts. |
