Reconstrainment Band with Reduced Removal Interference

Abstract

The reconstrainment band includes a hollow generally tubular shaped band having proximal and distal ends and having an exterior surface for engaging a stent and an interior surface for engaging a delivery tube. The exterior surface has at least one fin projecting therefrom along the longitudinal axis of the band. The fin has at least one obtusely shaped surface relative to the longitudinal axis and facing one of the ends. The reconstrainment band is included in a delivery device for intraluminally positioning and deploying a radially distensible stent. Reconstrainment of a partially deployed stent is provided by the delivery device.

1 . A reconstrainment band for use with a stent delivery device, said reconstrainment band comprising:
 a hollow generally tubular shaped band having proximal and distal ends and having an exterior surface for engaging a stent and an interior surface for engaging a delivery tube,   said exterior surface having at least one fin projecting therefrom along the longitudinal axis of said band, said fin having at least one obtusely shaped surface relative to the longitudinal axis and facing one of said ends.   
     
     
         2 . A reconstrainment band according to  claim 1 , wherein said fin is coupled to said band. 
     
     
         3 . A reconstrainment band according to  claim 1 , wherein said fin is integral to said band. 
     
     
         4 . A reconstrainment band according to  claim 1 , wherein said fin comprises a plurality of fins. 
     
     
         5 . A reconstrainment band according to  claim 4 , wherein said plurality of fins comprises two opposed fins. 
     
     
         6 . A reconstrainment band according to  claim 5 , wherein a first fin and a second fin of said two fins are circumferentially disposed at about 180°. 
     
     
         7 . A reconstrainment band according to  claim 1 , wherein said band comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: a metal, a stainless steel, a polymer, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A reconstrainment band according to  claim 1 , wherein said fin extends longitudinally outward from said band. 
     
     
         9 . A delivery device for intraluminally delivering a radially distensible stent comprising:
 a delivery tube;   a reconstrainment band having a hollow generally tubular shaped band having proximal and distal ends and having an exterior surface and interior surface, the interior surface engaging the delivery tube such that the band is secured thereto,   the exterior surface having at least one fin projecting therefrom along the longitudinal axis of the band, the fin having at least one obtusely shaped surface relative to the longitudinal axis and facing one of the ends;   a radially distensible generally tubular shaped stent located around the band such that the fin extends into a void in the stent; and   a hollow generally tubular sheath located around the stent in coaxial relation therewith, the sheath being longitudinally displaceable relative to the stent and delivery tube.   
     
     
         10 . A method for intraluminally positioning a radially distensible stent comprising:
 providing a delivery device according to  claim 9 ;   positioning said delivery device within a body lumen; and   slidably retracting the sheath relative to the delivery tube to uncover a portion of the stent, such that the uncovered portion of the stent radially expands against a wall of bodily lumen.   
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10  and further comprising slidably displacing the sheath relative to the delivery tube in a longitudinally forward direction to recover the uncovered portion of the stent,
 said method further comprising repositioning the delivery device within the bodily lumen to a new position therein; 
 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , and further comprising slidably retracting the sheath from the delivery tube to completely uncover the stent for the releasing thereof from the delivery device.