CATHETER SYSTEM WITH SPACER MEMBER
A stent delivery system includes outer and inner elongated, flexible tubular members each having a distal and proximal ends. The outer tubular member is sized to be passed through the body lumen with the distal end advanced to the deployment site and with the proximal end remaining external of the patient's body for manipulation by an operator. The inner tubular member is sized to be received within the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member has a stent attachment location at its distal end. A spacer member is disposed between the inner and outer tubular members. The spacer member maintains spacing between the inner and outer tubular members. Opposing surfaces of the inner and outer tubular members define a passageway extending from the proximal end towards the distal end of the outer tubular member. A fluid exchange port is provided in communication with the passageway at the proximal end of the outer tubular member.
1 - 32 . (canceled)
33 . A catheter system, comprising:
an elongated outer member including an inner wall defining a lumen, the outer member defining a central longitudinal axis;
an elongated inner member disposed within the lumen of the outer member such that a fluid channel is defined between the inner and outer members; and
at least one spacer extending between the inner wall of the outer member and an outer wall of the inner member, the at least one spacer being configured, dimensioned, and positioned to offset the inner member from the central longitudinal axis of the outer member.
34 . The catheter system of claim 33 , wherein the at least one spacer extends radially outward from the inner member to contact the inner wall of the outer member.
35 . The catheter system of claim 34 , wherein the at least one spacer is integrally formed with the inner member.
36 . The catheter system of claim 33 , wherein the at least one spacer extends radially inward from the inner wall of the outer member to contact the outer wall of the inner member.
37 . The catheter system of claim 36 , wherein the at least one spacer is integrally formed with the outer member.
38 . The catheter system of claim 33 , wherein the at least one spacer includes a plurality of spacers.
39 . The catheter system of claim 38 , wherein the plurality of spacers includes a first spacer and a second spacer, the first and second spacers spacer extending radially outward from opposing points on the inner member.
40 . The catheter system of claim 39 , wherein the first spacer extends radially outward from the inner member along a first axis, and the second spacer extends radially outward from the inner member along a second axis, the first and second axes intersecting at a location external of the inner member.
41 . A catheter system, comprising:
an elongated outer member defining a central longitudinal axis;
an elongated inner member disposed within the outer member and defining a central longitudinal axis; and
at least one spacer extending between the outer member and the inner member such that the central longitudinal axes of the outer member and the inner member are misaligned.
42 . The catheter system of claim 41 , wherein the at least one spacer extends radially outward from the inner member to contact an inner wall of the outer member.
43 . The catheter system of claim 42 , wherein the at least one spacer is integrally formed with the inner member.
44 . The catheter system of claim 41 , wherein the at least one spacer extends radially inward from an inner wall of the outer member to contact an outer wall of the inner member.
45 . The catheter system of claim 44 , wherein the at least one spacer is integrally formed with the outer member.
46 . A catheter system, comprising:
an elongated outer member;
an elongated inner member disposed within the outer member; and
spacing means extending between the outer member and the inner member, the spacing means being configured, dimensioned, and positioned such that the catheter system includes an asymmetrical cross-sectional configuration.
47 . The catheter system of claim 46 , wherein the inner member is offset from a central longitudinal axis of the outer member by the spacing means.
48 . The catheter system of claim 46 , wherein the spacing means extends radially outward from the inner member to contact an inner wall of the outer member.
49 . The catheter system of claim 47 , wherein the spacing means is integrally formed with the inner member.
50 . The catheter system of claim 46 , wherein the spacing means extends radially inward from an inner wall of the outer member to contact an outer wall of the inner member.
51 . The catheter system of claim 50 , wherein the spacing means is integrally formed with the outer member.
52 . The catheter system of claim 46 , wherein the spacing means includes discrete first and second structures.