Abstract: A transluminal delivery system and a method of assembling. The system includes a cylindrical, inner-catheter component and a retractable sheath surrounding the component and defining a space between the component and the sheath to receive a self-expanding luminal prosthesis between the component and the sheath. The inner-catheter component may include at least one sleeve having fibers, at least one connected sleeve portion connected to the inner catheter, and at least one unconnected sleeve portion slidably engaging the inner catheter such that when the sheath retracts, the unconnected portion expands and sleeve fibers engage the prosthesis's luminal surface, wherein the engagement opposes proximal stent movement.

Abstract: A method of moving a stent device into an outer sheath of a stent device delivery system is disclosed. The stent device is crimped into a collapsed configuration onto the loading mandrel. The loading mandrel is pushed toward the outer sheath as the engaging surfaces resist relative longitudinal movement between the stent device and the loading mandrel to move the stent device into the outer sheath. Upon entering the outer sheath, the stent device expands radially until radially constrained by the outer sheath.

Abstract: A method of moving a stent device into an outer sheath of a stent device delivery system is disclosed. The stent device is crimped into a collapsed configuration onto the loading mandrel. The loading mandrel is pushed toward the outer sheath as the engaging surfaces resist relative longitudinal movement between the stent device and the loading mandrel to move the stent device into the outer sheath. Upon entering the outer sheath, the stent device expands radially until radially constrained by the outer sheath.

Abstract: A method of moving a stent device into an outer sheath of a stent device delivery system is disclosed. The stent device (4) is crimped into a collapsed configuration onto the loading mandrel (6). The loading mandrel is pushed toward the outer sheath as the engaging surfaces (10) resist relative longitudinal movement between the stent device and the loading mandrel to move the stent device into the outer sheath (16). Upon entering the outer sheath, the stent device expands radially until radially constrained by the outer sheath.

Abstract: A method of moving a stent device into an outer sheath of a stent device delivery system is disclosed. The stent device (4) is crimped into a collapsed configuration onto the loading mandrel (6). The loading mandrel is pushed toward the outer sheath as the engaging surfaces (10) resist relative longitudinal movement between the stent device and the loading mandrel to move the stent device into the outer sheath (16). Upon entering the outer sheath, the stent device expands radially until radially constrained by the outer sheath.

Abstract: A method of moving a stent device into an outer sheath of a stent: device delivery system is disclosed. The stent device (4) is Crimped into a collapsed configuration onto the loading mandrel (6). The loading mandrel is pushed towards the outer sheath as the engaging surfaces (10) resist relative longitudinal movement between the stent device and the loading mandrel to move the stent device into the outer sheath (16). Upon entering the outer sheath, the stent device expands radially until radially constrained by the outer sheath.

Abstract: A transluminal delivery system and a method of assembling. The system includes a cylindrical, inner-catheter component and a retractable sheath surrounding the component and defining a space between the component and the sheath to receive a self-expanding luminal prosthesis between the component and the sheath. The inner-catheter component may include at least one sleeve having fibers, at least one connected sleeve portion connected to the inner catheter, and at least one unconnected sleeve portion slidably engaging the inner catheter such that when the sheath retracts, the unconnected portion expands and sleeve fibers engage the prosthesis's luminal surface, wherein the engagement opposes proximal stent movement.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a transluminal delivery system for a self-expanding luminal prosthesis, the system comprising an inner catheter component (30) and a retractable sheath (12) to surround the component thereby to define an annular space to receive the prosthesis (10), the component exhibiting an anti-sliding component, for abutting a luminal surface portion of the prosthesis (10) to restrain the prosthesis from sliding with the sheath (12), and relative to the inner catheter (30), while the sheath retracts relative to the prosthesis to release the prosthesis progressively into the target bodily lumen characterized in that the anti-sliding component is or includes at least one sleeve (36, 50, 66, 76) having a length direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the annular space and having at least one bound portion (33, 52, 64, 65, 74) of its length that is not free to slide on the inner catheter, and at least one unbound portion of its length with a capability to slide axially on the inner catheter (

Abstract: A delivery device (12) for delivering a stent device (3) in a reduced profiled delivery configuration is provided. A distal region (9) of the stent device is axially anchored to an inner catheter (2) by annular rings (5, 6) about the inner catheter. A remaining portion (10) of the stent device is spaced radially from the inner catheter. A proximal stop (4) is spaced axially from a proximal end of the stent device. The stent device is maintained in the reduced profile delivery configuration by a retractable outer sheath (1).

Abstract: A device for trans-luminal delivery of a self-expanding stent or other surgical device and which is designed for rapid exchange over a guidewire has a guidewire lumen that adjacent its proximal exit port lies side -by-side with the line of the shaft of the device. A sleeve which surrounds and confines the stent has a proximal end that is shaped around the guidewire exit port to show in profile a shape reminiscent of the nose of a dolphin. In preferred embodiments, the sleeve also has a tapered distal tip that is withdrawn proximally over the length of the stent to release it, progressively, from its distal end. The configuration delivers simplicity of design, enhanced performance and reliability in use.

Abstract: A device for trans-luminal delivery of a self-expanding stent or other surgical device and which is designed for rapid exchange over a guidewire has a guidewire lumen that adjacent its proximal exit port lies side-by-side with the line of the shaft of the device. A sleeve which surrounds and confines the stent has a proximal end that is shaped around the guidewire exit port to show in profile a shape reminiscent of the nose of a dolphin. In preferred embodiments, the sleeve also has a tapered distal tip that is withdrawn proximally over the length of the stent to release it, progressively, from its distal end. The configuration delivers simplicity of design, enhanced performance and reliability in use.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a transluminal delivery system for a self-expanding luminal prosthesis, the system comprising an inner catheter component (30) and a retractable sheath (12) to surround the component thereby to define an annular space to receive the prosthesis (10), the component exhibiting an anti-sliding component, for abutting a luminal surface portion of the prosthesis (10) to restrain the prosthesis from sliding with the sheath (12), and relative to the inner catheter (30), while the sheath retracts relative to the prosthesis to release the prosthesis progressively into the target bodily lumen characterised in that the anti-sliding component is or includes at least one sleeve (36, 50, 66, 76) having a length direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the annular space and having at least one bound portion (33, 52, 64, 65, 74) of its length that is not free to slide on the inner catheter, and at least one unbound portion of its length with a capability to slide axially on the inner catheter (

Abstract: A delivery device (12) for delivering a stent device (3) in a reduced profiled delivery configuration is provided. A distal region (9) of the stent device is axially anchored to an inner catheter (2) by annular rings (5, 6) about the inner catheter. A remaining portion (10) of the stent device is spaced radially from the inner catheter. A proximal stop (4) is spaced axially from a proximla end of the stent device. The stent device is maintained in the reduced profile delivery configuration by a retractable outer sheath (1).

Abstract: A device for trans-luminal delivery of a self-expanding stent or other surgical device and which is designed for rapid exchange over a guidewire has a guidewire lumen that adjacent its proximal exit port lies side-by-side with the line of the shaft of the device. A sleeve which surrounds and confines the stent has a proximal end that is shaped around the guidewire exit port to show in profile a shape reminiscent of the nose of a dolphin. In preferred embodiments, the sleeve also has a tapered distal tip that is withdrawn proximally over the length of the stent to release it, progressively, from its distal end. The configuration delivers simplicity of design, enhanced performance and reliability in use.

Abstract: A stent device delivery system, comprising a stent device pusher, a radially expandable stent device and an outer sheath. A tacky material provides a tackiness between the stent device pusher and an inner surface of the stent device. The tacky material is distributed along the length of the stent device. The tacky material serves to resist axial movement of the stent device relative to the stent device pusher as the outer sheath slides axially over the stent device, yet allows the stent device to peel from the tacky material and expand to a radially expanded state as the outer sheath slides axially over the stent device to release the stent device. The tacky material may be compressible such that the stent device is embedded in the compressible tacky material.

Abstract: A device for trans-luminal delivery of a self-expanding stent or other surgical device and which is designed for rapid exchange over a guidewire has a guidewire lumen that adjacent its proximal exit port lies side-by-side with the line of the shaft of the device. A sleeve which surrounds and confines the stent has a proximal end that is shaped around the guidewire exit port to show in profile a shape reminiscent of the nose of a dolphin. In preferred embodiments, the sleeve also has a tapered distal tip that is withdrawn proximally over the length of the stent to release it, progressively, from its distal end. The configuration delivers simplicity of design, enhanced performance and reliability in use.

Abstract: For manufacturing security documents, a plurality of security documents are printed on a sheet. The sheets are being processed in batches (15a, 15b). Each sheet carries a unique, machine readable identifier. During manufacturing, the batches are processed by several printing stations (10). At each printing station, the identifiers are read by a local computer (13) attributed to the printing station. The results are transferred upon request in data packets to a central data base (16). Each data packet contains the information for several sheets, which obviates the need to transfer the corresponding data in real time over the network. To increase security and decrease network dependence, each local computer is equipped with apparatus to check the processing status of a batch autonomously.

Abstract: For manufacturing security documents, a plurality of security documents are printed on a sheet The sheets are being processed in batches (15a, 15b). Each sheet carries a unique, machine readable identifier. During manufacturing, the batches are processed by several printing stations (10). At each printing station, the identifiers are read by a local computer (13) attributed to the printing station. The results are transferred upon request in data packets to a central data base (16). Each data packet contains the information for several sheets, which obviates the need to transfer the corresponding data in real time over the network. To increase security and decrease network dependence, each local computer is equipped with the means to check the processing status of a batch autonomously.