Delivery system and method for self-centering a proximal end of a stent graft

Abstract

A method for implanting a prosthesis centrally within a curved lumen includes loading a prosthesis into a delivery sheath, advancing the sheath in a patient towards the curved lumen to place at least the proximal end of the prosthesis within the curved lumen, and centering the proximal end of the prosthesis and/or the distal end of the sheath within the curved lumen. In a first advancing step, the outer catheter containing the inner sheath is advanced together towards the curved lumen to a location proximal of the curved lumen and, in a second advancing step, the inner sheath containing the prosthesis is advanced into the curved lumen to place at least the proximal end within the curved lumen while the outer catheter substantially remains at the location. After centering, the proximal end of the prosthesis is deployed centered within the curved lumen.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for implanting a prosthesis centrally within a curved lumen, which comprises:
 loading a prosthesis into a delivery sheath, the prosthesis having a proximal end and the sheath having a distal end;   advancing the sheath in a patient towards the curved lumen to place at least the proximal end within the curved lumen; and   substantially aligning an inflow plane, which is defined by the proximal end of the prosthesis to be implanted in a patient, with an implant plane, which is defined by a ring of tissue inside a vessel at which the proximal end of the prosthesis is to be implanted, in a common plane that is transverse to a major longitudinal axis of the vessel.