Method for deploying a stent delivery system having a blowmolded holder

Abstract

A method for deploying a stent delivery system having a blowmolded holder is provided. The stent is configured to expand from a first diameter to a second diameter. The holder is blowmolded to an inner surface of the compressed state. The holder contacts the inner surface and at least portions of side surfaces of the stent, and the holder and the stent have an interference fit therebetween. The deployment method includes delivering the compressed stent placed on the blowmolded holder and the holder into a predetermined deployment side. The deployment method further includes releasing the stent from interference with the holder and expanding the stent from the compressed stent to the expanded stent.

1 . A method for deploying a stent, wherein the stent is configured to expand from a compressed state to an expanded state, comprising:
 delivering the compressed stent placed on a blowmolded holder and the holder into a predetermined deployment site,   wherein the holder is blowmolded onto an inner surface of the compressed state, the holder contacting the inner surface and at least portions of side surfaces of the stent, the holder and the stent thereby having an interference fit therebetween;   releasing the stent from interference with the holder; and   expanding the stent from the compressed stent to the expanded stent.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a container inside the holder;   supplying a quantity of liquid into the container; and   stimulating an inner surface of the holder in response to an increased pressure of the container, wherein the increased pressure is responsive to supply of the liquid.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a stimulator attached to a wire inside of the holder, the wire extending from a proximal end to a distal end;   delivering the compressed stent and the holder to the deployment site by threading the wire through an interior of the holder; and   stimulating an inner surface of the holder by retracting the stimulator toward the proximal end, wherein a diameter of the stimulator is larger than an inner diameter of the holder.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (a) delivering a plurality of stents in the compressed state and the holder to a predetermined deployment site;   (b) retracting the sheath toward a proximal end to the extent that a first stent is exposed wherein the first stent is disposed distally adjacent a distal end;   (c) expanding the first stent from the compressed state to the expanded state;   (d) retracting the sheath toward the proximal end to the extent that a second stent is exposed wherein the second stent is disposed proximally adjacent the first stent; and,   (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) until remaining stents are expanded.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the blowmolded holder temporarily restrains expansion of each stent when each stent is exposed by the retraction of the sheath. 
     
     
         6 . A method for deploying a sheathless stent delivery system comprising a stent disposed on a blowmolded holder wherein the stent is configured to expand from a compressed state to an expanded state,
 wherein the blowmolded holder of the sheathless stent delivery system comprises:
 a cylindrical body; and 
 a plurality of edges integrally formed with the cylindrical body and two neighboring edges extending toward a strut of the stent and wrapping around at least a portion of the strut of the stent on opposite sides of the strut, 
 wherein the edges radially inwardly press over the stent and contact a portion of a radially outwardly exposed side surface of the strut of the stent and simultaneously restricts longitudinal movement of the stent relative to the holder; 
 wherein a selected diameter of the holder at the edges is approximately the same as an outer diameter of the stent as a whole in the compressed state; 
   the method comprising:   delivering the compressed stent and the holder to a deployment site by threading the holder over a wire through an interior of the holder,   releasing the stent from interference with the blowmolded holder by using a stimulator; and   expanding the stent from the compressed stent to the expanded stent.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein releasing the stent further comprises releasing the stent from the holder by flexing the edges without substantially expanding the cylindrical body of the holder, thereby expanding the stent to the expanded state. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein releasing the stent further comprises:
 delivering a spacer attached to a wire to a predetermined deployment site, the wire extending from a proximal end to a distal end;   stimulating an inner surface of the holder by retracting the spacer through the holder toward the proximal end, wherein a diameter of the spacer is larger than an inner diameter of the holder.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein releasing the stent further comprises:
 providing a container inside the holder;   supplying a quantity of liquid into the container; and   stimulating an inner surface of the holder in response to an increased pressure of the container, wherein the increased pressure is responsive to supply of the liquid.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein releasing the stent further comprises:
 providing a stimulator attached to a wire inside of the holder, the wire extending from a proximal end to a distal end;   stimulating an inner surface of the holder by retracting the stimulator toward the proximal end, wherein a diameter of the stimulator is larger than an inner diameter of the holder.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 (a) delivering a plurality of stents in the compressed state and the holder to a predetermined deployment site;   (b) retracting the sheath toward a proximal end to the extent that a first stent is exposed wherein the first stent is disposed distally adjacent a distal end;   (c) expanding the first stent from the compressed state to the expanded state;   (d) retracting the sheath toward the proximal end to the extent that a second stent is exposed wherein the second stent is disposed proximally adjacent the first stent; and,   (e) repeating steps of (a)-(d) until remaining stents are expanded.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the blowmolded holder temporarily restrains expansion of each stent when each stent is exposed by the retraction of the sheath. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the sheathless stent delivery system has a low profile whose outer diameter ranges between 0.040 and 0.060. 
     
     
         14 . A method for deploying a sheathless stent delivery system comprising a stent disposed on a blowmolded holder wherein the stent is configured to expand from a compressed state to an expanded state,
 wherein the blowmolded holder of the sheathless stent delivery system comprises:
 a cylindrical body; and 
 a plurality of patterns or impressions integrally formed with an outer diameter of the cylindrical body, the plurality of patterns or impressions wrapping around at least a portion of a strut of the stent in the compressed state with a first edge and a second edge of two neighboring patterns or impressions on opposite sides of the strut, wherein the first and the second edges extend toward the strut of the stent disposed between the two neighboring patterns or impressions; 
   wherein the first and the second edges radially inwardly press over the strut of the stent and contact a portion of a radially outwardly exposed side surface of the strut of the stent and simultaneously restricts longitudinal movement of the stent relative to the holder;   the method comprising:   delivering the compressed stent and the holder to the deployment site by threading a wire through an interior of the holder;   providing a stimulator attached to the wire to a predetermined deployment site, the wire extending from a proximal end to a distal end;   stimulating an inner surface of the holder by retracting the stimulator toward the proximal end, wherein a diameter of the stimulator is larger than an inner diameter of the holder; and   releasing the stent from interference with the blowmolded holder.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein providing the stimulator comprises:
 providing a container inside the holder.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein releasing the stent further comprises:
 supplying a quantity of liquid into the container; and   wherein stimulating the inner surface of the holder further comprises stimulating the inner surface of the holder in response to an increased pressure of the container, wherein the increased pressure is responsive to supply of the liquid.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein releasing the stent further comprises:
 releasing the stent from the holder by flexing the edges without substantially expanding the cylindrical body of the holder, thereby expanding the stent to the expanded state.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sheathless stent delivery system has a low profile whose outer diameter ranges between 0.040 and 0.060. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the stimulator comprises a ball having a diameter larger than an inner diameter of the holder.