C. R. Bard, Inc.

Thomas Tollner

Jurgen Dorn

Martin Wubbeling

Martina Hoffman

A delivery system for a self-expanding device for placement in a bodily lumen, the system comprising a sheath that confines the device to a radially compact delivery disposition until the device is to be released into the lumen, the system having an elongate pull element to be pulled proximally from its proximal end, which pull element is arranged radially inside the sheath for pulling preferentially on a pull zone on the circumference of the distal end of the sheath, thereby to tear the sheath progressively along a tear line running the length of the sheath, starting at the distal end of the sheath, to release the device from the confining effect of the sheath, progressively, beginning at the distal end of the device and wherein the sheath is of polyethylene-terephthalate, cold drawn along its long axis, and in that the distal end of the sheath tapers inwardly to provide an inwardly tapered distal end of the system.

Delivery system for a self-expanding device for placement in a bodily lumen

A retractable catheter for use in an implant delivery system, the catheter including an elongate tubular sheath made of a relatively flexible material, and a pull element for transmitting a pull force to the sheath to retract it longitudinally. The pull element includes an end portion disposed in the relatively flexible material, at least the thickness of the end portion being substantially less than its length.

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Karlsruhe, Germany

Thomas Tollner