Stent delivery system.

摘要

The invention is directed to a stent delivery method and system which generally includes an elongated delivery sheath (10) and a catheter (12) disposed within an inner lumen (11) of the sheath (10) having an expandable member (14) on its distal extremity. An expandable stent (16) is mounted on the expandable member (14) of the catheter (12). A manipulating device (15) is provided on the proximal end of the delivery system to effect relative axial movement between the sheath (10) and the catheter (12) so as to expose the stent (16) mounted on the expandable member (14) on the catheter (12) within a body lumen such as a coronary artery and allow the expansion of the stent (16) by the expansion of the expandable member (14). The delivery sheath (10) has a first port (17) in its distal end and a second port (18) in the sheath wall proximally disposed from the distal end of the sheath (10). The catheter (12) likewise has a first port (20) in its distal end and a second port (21) proximally disposed from the distal end of the catheter (12). An inner lumen (22) extends within the distal portion of the catheter (12) between the first and second ports (20, 21) and slidably receives a guiding member such as a guidewire (26). This system allows the stent (16) to be delivered over a guidewire (26) previously advanced to the desired location within a body lumen. <IMAGE>