Protective membrane for stent-carrying ballon catheter.

摘要

A reinforcing membrane in the form of an elastic sheath used with a balloon catheter to enhance the delivery of an intravascular stent of the kind delivered by a balloon catheter. The sheath (20) is interspaced between the balloon and the stent in the preferred embodiment. The sheath (20) acts as a protective barrier, provides for uniform expansion of the stent, decreases the deflation time of the balloon, prevents undesirable flattening of the balloon upon deflation and withdrawal, and, among other things, provides a friction substrate for the stent. The sheath (20) may be made into an elastic membrane (10) that is applied on the inside or around the outside the balloon. The sheath may be formed of multiple co- extruded layers, with an outermost elastic layer. Preferably the sheath (20) is tubular and attached with adhesive, shrunk fit, or mechanically fastened to the outside of the balloon portion (35) of the catheter. The sheath (20) may contain a radiopaque material that may also be used to indicate when the stent has been expanded to a proper operational diameter. <IMAGE>