The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 04, 1996
Filed:
Oct. 21, 1994
Mark T Gaterud, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Rajagopal R Kowligi, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Fariba Khalilifard, Mesa, AZ (US);
Christopher E Banas, Mesa, AZ (US);
Impra, Inc., Tempe, AZ (US);
Abstract
A stent-graft delivery system which includes a catheter, an expandable balloon having non-tapered ends positioned near the distal end of the catheter, a stent circumferentially positioned around a center of the balloon, and a graft circumferentially positioned around the stent. The balloon configuration comprising non-tapered ends may be achieved by 1) preforming the balloon to the desired geometry which comprises substantially non-tapered ends; 2) positioning a non-compliant sheath over each of the ends of an existing balloon having tapered ends, or 3) invertedly attaching the first and second ends of a compliant tubular member to the catheter to form the desired balloon configuration. The desired balloon configuration is a balloon geometry which uniformly conforms to the geometry of the stent-graft assembly. A method for introducing the stent-graft delivery system into a blood vessel are also disclosed. The method includes inserting the stent-graft delivery system into the blood vessel, guiding the stent-graft assembly to the desired site, inflating the balloon of the balloon catheter, deflating the balloon, and withdrawing the catheter and expandable balloon. The stent-graft delivery systems are also suitable for introducing and delivering stents without grafts.