Abstract: The reconstrainable stent delivery system of the present invention comprises a proximal end and distal end which include inner and outer members. A pusher is positioned at the proximal end of the inner member. A slider is located coaxially with the inner member and is positioned within the inner diameter of the stent. The slider can rotate about and move longitudinally along one of an inner shaft or tube, such as the guide wire tube, such that the proximal end of the stent can move distally as the stent deploys. A pusher can be used on the guide wire tube such that the guide wire tube, pusher, and stent move proximally relative to the outer sheath and re-constrain the stent in the outer sheath. Furthermore, the pusher and guide wire tube could move distally as the outer sheath retracts proximally for stent deployment to accommodate foreshortening.

Abstract: The present invention is a hybrid stent design using half-slot circumferential sets of strut members with short (<1.5 mm) slot length that has minimal fish scaling and excellent stent retention and flexibility. These half-slot circumferential sets of strut members are connected one to the other with helical connectors similar to those of the Palmaz stent. One important difference in the design of the stent of the present invention is that the helical connectors are attached to every other crown (rather than connected to every crown) to further improve stent flexibility. By appropriately varying the strut width of both the connected and unconnected curved crowns to be greater at the center than at their ends, an increased radial strength can be provided for a given maximum strain that is imparted to the stent when it is expanded to its maximum diameter.

Abstract: A delivery catheter used for the delivery and deployment of self expanding stents. A distal end portion is made rotatable relative to a proximal end portion allowing unwinding of a self expanding stent around the longitudinal axis of the catheter. The rotation of the distal end portion allows for untwisting or partial untwisting of a self-expanding stent which has a torsional pre-load in a compressed state in the catheter.