A stent assembly comprises a stent sheath that includes distally and proximally removable portions separable from one another by manipulation of first and second guidewires, a contracted stent having a side aperture disposed in the stent sheath and a third guidewire extending between the removable portions and through the side aperture of the stent.
1. A stent assembly comprising a stent sheath that includes a distally removable portion and a proximally removable portion, wherein a first guidewire is connected to the distally removable portion and a second guidewire is connected to the proximally removable portion, the guidewires being arranged such that manipulation of said first guidewire distally removes said distally removable portion from said stent sheath and manipulation of said second guidewire proximally removes said proximally removable portion from said stent sheath and further comprising a stent disposed in said sheath in a contracted orientation, wherein said stent is formed with a side aperture, and a third guidewire extends between said removable portions and through the side aperture of said stent.
2. The stent assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said removable portions are joined by a rupturable element.
3. The stent assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said distally removable portion comprises a distal cap configured to facilitate movement of the stent assembly in a vasculature.
4. The stent assembly according to claim 1 , wherein one of said removable portions of said sheath is removable by distally sliding off said stent.
5. The stent assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said stent comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion connected by a flexible portion.
6. The stent assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said flexible portion has at least one of axial flexibility and torsional flexibility.
7. The stent assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said stent further includes a flange-forming structure at least partially surrounding said side aperture.
8. The stent assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said flange-forming structure is expandable to form a flange.
9. The stent assembly according to claim 8 , wherein said flange is connectable to a branch stent.
10. The stent assembly according to claim 8 , further comprising a branch stent connected to said flange.
11. The stent assembly according to claim 10 , wherein an end face of said branch stent is oblique to a side wall of said branch stent.
12. The stent assembly according to claim 10 , wherein said flange has an oblique shape.