Expandable preformed structures for deployment in interior body regions

Abstract

A tool for deploying an expandable structure into interior body regions provides a catheter body having an interior lumen. The catheter body carries an expandable structure. A stylet is sized configured for passage through the lumen and adapted to straighten the expandable structure during deployment into an interior body region.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A tool for deploying an expandable structure into interior body regions, the tool comprising 
 a catheter body defining an interior lumen,    an expandable structure having a distal end and carried by the catheter body, and    a stylet having a proximal end and being sized and configured for passage through the lumen and adapted to straighten the expandable structure during deployment into an interior body region.    
     
     
         2 . A tool as in  claim 1   wherein the stylet is substantially rigid.    
     
     
         3 . A tool as in  claim 1   wherein the stylet is made of stainless steel.    
     
     
         4 . A tool as in  claim 1   wherein, after passage of the stylet through the lumen, the proximal end of the stylet is coupleable to the catheter body.    
     
     
         5 . A tool as in  claim 1   wherein, after passage of the stylet through the lumen, the stylet abuts against the distal end of the expandable structure.