Abstract: Custom-length self-expanding stent delivery systems and methods enable precise control of prosthesis position during deployment. The stent delivery systems carry multiple stent segments and include a stent bumper for helping control the axial position of the stent segments during deployment. This enables the deployment of multiple prostheses at a target site with precision and predictability, preventing stent segment recoil and ejection from the delivery device and thus eliminating excessive spacing or overlap between prostheses. In particular embodiments, the prostheses of the invention are deployed in stenotic lesions in coronary or peripheral arteries or in other vascular locations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering prostheses to body lumens, such as stents and grafts to blood vessels, utilize a delivery device which carries one or more linearized elements. The linearized elements assume non-linear configurations, particularly helical configurations, when advanced and released from the delivery device. By selectively controlling the length and/or number of elements delivered from the delivery device, extended and disseminated disease within the body lumens may be effectively treated.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering stents or stent segments to body lumens include one or more tubular prostheses carried at the distal end of a catheter shaft, a sheath slidably disposed over the prostheses, and a guidewire tube extending from within the sheath to the exterior of the sheath through an exit port in a sidewall thereof. A guidewire extends slidably through the guidewire tube. The sheath can be moved relative to the catheter shaft and the guidewire tube to expose the prostheses for deployment. Mechanisms are described for measuring the distance that the sheath is moved relative to the catheter shaft and/or the guidewire tube, or for counting the number of stents exposed and/or deployed by operation of the device. These mechanisms include optical counting mechanisms, inductive, resistive, and/or magnetic resonating counters, electrical contact counters, and mechanical counters.

Abstract: Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using multiple, discreet stent structures, or continuous coiled or mesh stent structures. Stent structures may be balloon expandable or self-expanding and are delivered by a delivery catheter which is repositioned to spaced-apart delivery sights. By coating the stents with particular biologically active substances, hyperplasia within and between the implanted stents can be inhibited. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a catheter body having a deployment mechanism for deploying one or more stents of selectable length into the vessel.

Abstract: A luminal prosthesis comprises a plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments arranged axially. Two or more of the prosthetic stent segments are separable upon expansion from the remaining prosthetic stent segments and a coupling structure connects at least some of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to each other. The coupling structure permits a first group of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to separate from a second group of the prosthetic stent segments upon differential radial expansion of the first group relative to the second group and the coupling structure maintains or forms an attachment between the adjacent prosthetic stent segments in the first group which have been expanded together. A delivery system and methods for deploying the multiple coupled prosthetic stent segments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for interlocking stent segments which provide for a secure engagement between the expanded stent segments are described herein. Stent segments which are able to slide freely relative to one another along the deployment catheter prior to expansion may be secured to one another when expanded and/or deployed into the vessel. Securement upon expansion of the stent segments may be accomplished, in part, by utilizing one or more coupling mechanisms between adjacent stent segments which securely interlock the segments to one another by taking advantage of the changing geometry of the stents during expansion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering prostheses to body lumens, such as stents and grafts to blood vessels, utilize a delivery device which carries one or more linearized elements. The linearized elements assume non-linear configurations, particularly helical configurations, when advanced and released from the delivery device. By selectively controlling the length and/or number of elements delivered from the delivery device, extended and disseminated disease within the body lumens may be effectively treated.

Abstract: A catheter for delivery of prosthetic stent segments comprises a separator tube having a one-way grip structure near a distal end thereof. The stent segments are delivered to a treatment region on a balloon. To select a number of distal stent segments for deployment, the separator tube is advanced distally over proximal stent segments. Proximal retraction of the separator tube pulls the engaged segment(s) proximally to separate proximal segments from distal segments, freeing the distal segments for deployment.

Abstract: A stent deployment system includes a catheter shaft, an expandable member mounted to the catheter shaft, and one or more stents or stent segments slidably positioned on the expandable member. The stent deployment system is adapted for deployment of stents or stent segments in very long lesions and in tapered and curved vessels. The stent deployment system facilitates slidable movement of a stent in a distal direction relative to the expandable member while inhibiting slidable movement in a proximal direction relative to the expandable member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering prosthetic segments to a body lumen, utilize a delivery device having an elongated flexible member including proximal and distal ends, a plurality of prosthetic segments arranged near the distal end and axially along the elongated flexible member and an outer sheath slidably disposed over at least a portion of the prosthetic segments. The delivery device also includes a control mechanism coupled with the outer sheath and the elongated flexible member, wherein the control mechanism is adapted to retract the sheath a fixed distance, the fixed distance selectable by an operator to expose a selected number of prosthetic segments and create a spacing between a proximal prosthetic segment in the selected number and a distal prosthetic segment remaining with the elongated flexible member.

Abstract: Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using multiple, discreet stent structures. Stent structures may be balloon expandable or self-expanding and are delivered by a delivery catheter which is repositioned to spaced-apart delivery sights. By coating the stents with particular biologically active substances, hyperplasia within and between the implanted stents can be inhibited. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a catheter body having both a pusher rod for advancing the stents relative to a sheath and a reciprocatable delivery catheter for implanting the stents.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering stents to body lumens include one or more tubular prostheses carried at the distal end of a catheter shaft, a sheath slidably disposed over the prostheses, and a guidewire tube extending from within the sheath to the exterior of the sheath through an exit port in a sidewall thereof. A guidewire extends slidably through the guidewire tube. The sheath can be moved relative to the catheter shaft and the guidewire tube to expose the prostheses for deployment. Methods of delivering stents are also provided.

Abstract: A catheter configured to carry one or more stents and having an inflatable balloon for expanding a stent surrounding the balloon. The catheter is characterized in having a positioner for moving the one or more stents relative to the balloon from a first position in which the stent does not surround the balloon to a second position in which the stent surrounds the balloon. Also disclosed is a method for deploying a stent at a desired location in the vascular system.

Abstract: A catheter configured to carry one or more stents and having an inflatable balloon for expanding a stent surrounding the balloon. The catheter is characterized in having a positioner for moving the one or more stents relative to the balloon from a first position in which the stent does not surround the balloon to a second position in which the stent surrounds the balloon. Also disclosed is a method for deploying a stent at a desired location in the vascular system.

Abstract: A catheter configured to carry one or more stents and having an inflatable balloon for expanding a stent surrounding the balloon. The catheter is characterized in having a positioner for moving the one or more stents relative to the balloon from a first position in which the stent does not surround the balloon to a second position in which the stent surrounds the balloon. Also disclosed is a method for deploying a stent at a desired location in the vascular system.

Abstract: A stent deployment system includes a catheter shaft, an expandable member mounted to the catheter shaft, and one or more stents or stent segments slidably positioned on the expandable member. The stent deployment system is adapted for deployment of stents or stent segments in very long lesions and in tapered and curved vessels. The stent deployment system facilitates slidable movement of a stent in a distal direction relative to the expandable member while inhibiting slidable movement in a proximal direction relative to the expandable member.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering stents to body lumens include a flexible catheter shaft, an expandable member, a tubular prosthesis selectively movable in an axial direction over the expandable member, and a stop member disposed on the catheter shaft near the distal end of the catheter shaft for stopping the prosthesis at a deployment position on the expandable member. A variety of different stop members are provided according to various embodiments, such as stop members disposed outside the expandable member, stop members disposed inside the expandable member, movable stop members, and the like. Methods of delivering stents are also provided.

Abstract: Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using multiple, discreet stent structures. Stent structures may be balloon expandable or self-expanding and are delivered by a delivery catheter which is repositioned to spaced-apart delivery sights. By coating the stents with particular biologically active substances, hyperplasia within and between the implanted stents can be inhibited. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a catheter body having both a pusher rod for advancing the stents relative to a sheath and a reciprocatable delivery catheter for implanting the stents.

Abstract: Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using multiple, discreet stent structures. Stent structures may be balloon expandable or self-expanding and are delivered by a delivery catheter which is repositioned to spaced-apart delivery sights. By coating the stents with particular biologically active substances, hyperplasia within and between the implanted stents can be inhibited. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a catheter body having both a pusher rod for advancing the stents relative to a sheath and a reciprocatable delivery catheter for implanting the stents.

Abstract: Delivery catheters and systems are adapted for delivering multiple discreet prostheses in body lumens. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a sheath, a pusher for moving the prostheses relative to the sheath, and a valve member for selectively retaining the prostheses in the sheath. For balloon expandable stents, an elongated shaft and an expandable member are slidably disposed in the sheath, and the prostheses are positionable on the expandable member for deployment in the body lumen. The valve member allows a selected number of prostheses to be deployed from the sheath while retaining other prostheses within the sheath.