INTEGRATED DEPLOYMENT BALLOON STENT DELIVERY
A vascular stent deployment device and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments the deployment device may include a delivery catheter assembly. The delivery catheter assembly may include a self-expanding stent constrained by a rupturable sleeve. The self-expanding stent is disposed around an expandable member configured to partially expand to rupture the sleeve allowing the self-expanding stent to deploy. The expandable member may also be configured to aid in proximal displacement of the self-expanding stent as the delivery catheter assembly is manipulated to deploy the self-expanding stent.
1 . A stent delivery catheter assembly, comprising:
an outer sheath;
an inner sheath co-axially disposed within the outer sheath;
an expandable member surrounding a distal portion of the inner sheath; a
self-expanding stent surrounding the expandable member; and
a sleeve surrounding and selectively constraining the self-expanding stent, wherein the expandable member is configured to rupture the sleeve, allowing the self-expanding stent to radially self-expand.
2 . The stent delivery catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein a length of the expandable member is equal to or greater than a length of the self-expanding stent.
3 . The stent delivery catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein a distal portion of the expandable member is configured to radially expand before a proximal portion and an intermediate portion.
4 . The stent delivery catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner sheath comprises:
a first lumen extending therethrough; and
a second lumen extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the expandable member.
5 . The stent delivery catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the self-expanding stent is configured to imprint around a portion of an outer surface of the expandable member when the self-expanding stent is in a crimped state.
6 . The stent delivery catheter assembly of claim 5 , wherein the expandable member is configured to limit longitudinal displacement of the self-expanding stent when the outer sheath is proximally withdrawn.
7 . The stent delivery catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises a weakened portion longitudinally disposed in a wall of the sleeve.
8 . The stent delivery catheter assembly of claim 7 , wherein the weakened portion is configured to allow the expandable member to rupture a distal portion of the sleeve before an intermediate portion and a proximal portion of the sleeve.
9 . The stent delivery catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve surrounds a length of the self-expanding stent from a proximal end to a distal end of the self-expanding stent.
10 . A method of deploying a self-expanding stent, comprising:
positioning a distal portion of stent deployment catheter assembly adjacent a vascular target to be treated;
withdrawing an outer sheath of the stent deployment catheter assembly relative to a self-expanding stent to expose the self-expanding stent;
partially expanding an expandable member of the stent deployment catheter assembly;
rupturing a sleeve surrounding the self-expanding stent;
allowing the self-expanding stent to self-expand to apply a radial outward directed force to the vascular target, wherein a diameter of the vascular target is expanded; and
expanding the expandable member to radially expand the self-expanding stent and smooth wrinkles from the self-expanding stent.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein partially expanding the self-expanding stent comprises radially expanding a distal portion of the expandable member before radially expanding a proximal portion and an intermediate portion of the expandable member.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein partially expanding the self-expanding stent comprises radially expanding a proximal portion of the expandable member before radially expanding a distal portion and an intermediate portion of the expandable member.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein partially expanding the self-expanding stent comprises radially expanding an intermediate portion of the expandable member before radially expanding a proximal portion and a distal portion of the expandable member.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein partially expanding the self-expanding stent comprises radially expanding a distal portion and a proximal portion of the expandable member before radially expanding an intermediate portion of the expandable member.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein rupturing the sleeve comprises rupturing a weakened portion of the sleeve.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein rupturing the weakened portion of the sleeve comprises rupturing a distal portion of the sleeve before rupturing an intermediate portion and a proximal portion of the sleeve.
17 . A prosthesis delivery catheter assembly, comprising:
an outer sheath;
an inner sheath co-axially disposed within the outer sheath; and
an expandable pliant member surrounding a distal portion of the inner sheath, wherein the expandable pliant member is configured to engage a self-expanding prosthesis.
18 . The prosthesis delivery catheter assembly of claim 17 , wherein the self-expanding prosthesis is configured to imprint around a portion of an outer surface of the expandable pliant member.
19 . The prosthesis delivery catheter assembly of claim 17 , wherein a length of the expandable pliant member is equal to or less than a length of the self-expanding prosthesis.
20 . The prosthesis delivery catheter assembly of claim 17 , wherein the expandable pliant member limits longitudinal displacement of the self-expanding prosthesis.