Abstract: A stent deployment system with a reinforced inner member is disclosed. The system has a self-expanding stent in a contracted condition disposed on the distal end of a delivery catheter and a retractable sheath covering the stent. The delivery catheter is advanced through a guide catheter to a desired location within a patient's body lumen. Once the stent is at the target site, the sheath is retracted by pulling back on the stem to expose the self-expanding stent. The reinforced inner member provides longitudinal compression resistance for the delivery catheter, while allowing for flexibility for navigation through a tortuous vasculature.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a self-expanding stent for implantation into a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and interconnected by a plurality of interconnecting members placed on the stent in a collinear arrangement such as to create at least one continuous spine which extends along the length of the stent. The invention is also directed to a stent delivery system for implantation of a stent in a vessel which includes an outer tubular member having a restraining sheath and an inner tubular member having a distal end which has a compressed stent mounted thereto. The proximal end of the inner tubular member is connected to a housing assembly which prevents the inner tubular member from moving when the outer tubular member is retracted to deploy the stent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating cerebral blood vessels such as carotid arteries. The system generally includes an apparatus and method for safely and easily deploying a self-expanding stent in a vessel while preventing embolic migration using a filter.

Abstract: A stent delivery system with a stabilizing manipulator handle is disclosed. The system has a self-expanding stent in a contracted condition disposed on the distal end of a delivery catheter and a retractable sheath covering the stent. The delivery catheter is advanced through a guide catheter to a desired location within a patient's body lumen. The manipulator handle at the proximal end of the delivery catheter is attached to the guide catheter. The handle has a slidable stem connected to the sheath, and features a screw down spacer between the distal end of the handle and the proximal end of the guide catheter. The spacer situates the position of the guide catheter relative to the delivery catheter even during deployment of the stent. Once the stent is at the target site, the sheath is retracted by pulling back on the stem to expose the self-expanding stent.

Abstract: A treatment catheter such as used for delivering a stent that includes a lumen for conducting contrast medium therethrough and shaped ports for vectoring contrast medium expelled therefrom toward the treatment site.

Abstract: A stent deployment catheter having an expandable section is inserted into a patient's vasculature to position the expandable section within the diseased area. Various devices can then be quickly and easily inserted within the deployment catheter precisely positioned with respect to the diseased area, and withdrawn without traumatizing vessel tissue. Inflation of a balloon within the expandable section allows a lesion to be dilated or a stent mounted on the expandable section to be expanded and implanted in the vessel.