Endoluminal expansion system

Abstract

An endoprosthesis expansion system having, in combination, a delivery component such as a length of catheter tubing having at its distal end an intermediate sheath component, and an inner tube within the full length of the delivery catheter and intermediate sheath component. The inner tube has a protrusion affixed to its distal end, and an expandable endoprosthesis is fitted in a compacted state about the intermediate sheath, immediately proximal to the protrusion. If the endoprosthesis is a self-expanding endoprosthesis (as is preferred), an exterior constraining sheath is required around the outer surface of the endoprosthesis. Following insertion of the endoprosthesis and delivery system into a body conduit (such as a blood vessel) and transport of the endoprosthesis to the desired site within the body conduit, the endoprosthesis is deployed by axially moving the protrusion against the system, thereby applying a radially directed outward force and causing simultaneous dilatation of the intermediate sheath and disruption of the exterior constraining sheath. Disruption of the exterior constraining sheath, in the case of a self-expanding prosthesis, releases the stored energy in the formerly constrained prosthesis, allowing it to expand and accomplish full deployment against the luminal surface of the body conduit at the desired site.

1 . An endoluminal expansion system comprising: 
 a) a protrusion affixed to an elongate actuation member, said protrusion having a maximum diameter of D 2 ;    b) a substantially tubular sheath mounted coaxially about the elongate actuation member, said elongate actuation member being axially movable with respect to the substantially tubular sheath, said substantially tubular sheath having an inside diameter of D 1 , wherein D 2  is greater than D 1 ; and    c) an expandable endoprosthesis affixed coaxially about the substantially tubular sheath wherein one end of said expandable endoprosthesis is adjacent to said protrusion;    wherein said substantially tubular sheath includes at least one split along a length portion thereof.    
     
     
         2 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 1  wherein said endoprosthesis is a self-expanding endoprosthesis and is contained within a disruptable constraining sheath.  
     
     
         3 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 2  wherein said constraining sheath is configured to be an implantable constraining sheath.  
     
     
         4 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 2  wherein said constraining sheath is configured to be a removable constraining sheath.  
     
     
         5 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 2  wherein said constraining sheath is disruptable via a row of perforations.  
     
     
         6 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 2  wherein said constraining sheath comprises porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         7 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 6  wherein said constraining sheath comprises a delicate constraining sheath contained within a packaging sheath that is removable prior to insertion of the endoluminal expansion system into a body conduit.  
     
     
         8 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 1  wherein said substantially tubular sheath includes multiple splits along the length portion.  
     
     
         9 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 1  wherein said substantially tubular sheath comprises a polymeric material less than about 0.12 mm thick.  
     
     
         10 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 1  wherein said protrusion comprises a length of tubularly braided wire.  
     
     
         11 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 1  wherein said protrusion comprises an inflatable member.  
     
     
         12 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 1  wherein said elongate actuation member comprises a tube.  
     
     
         13 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 1  wherein said elongate actuation member comprises an elongate tensile member.  
     
     
         14 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 13  wherein said elongate tensile member comprises a guidewire.  
     
     
         15 . An endoluminal expansion system according to  claim 1  wherein said system incorporates a tether element.