System for deploying a device to a distal location across a diseased vessel

Abstract

A system for deploying a device to a distal location across a diseased vessel, comprising a sheath comprising an expandable distal portion comprising a porous wall defining a lumen there-through, the distal portion having a collapsed configuration, wherein the sheath has a first cross-sectional outer diameter and a first lumen inner diameter, and an expanded configuration, wherein the sheath has a second cross-sectional outer diameter and a second lumen inner diameter; wherein in the collapsed configuration, the sheath is configured to be advanced across at least a portion of the diseased vessel to a position adjacent the distal location and wherein said system comprises a removable expansion retention member configured to retain the expandable sheath in the collapsed configuration.

1 . A method for delivering a device through a diseased vessel to a target area, the method comprising:
 providing a sheath having an expandable distal portion;   advancing the sheath in a collapsed configuration through the diseased vessel toward the target area;   radially expanding the expandable distal portion of the sheath to an expanded configuration; and   advancing the device through the expandable distal portion of the sheath toward the treatment area, the expandable distal portion of the sheath in the expanded configuration during the advancement.   
     
     
         2 . A system for deploying a device to a distal location across a diseased vessel, the system comprising:
 an expandable sheath having a collapsed configuration adapted to be delivered through the diseased vessel, and an expanded configuration larger than the collapsed configuration and adapted to receive the device; and   a removable expansion retention member configurated to retain the expandable sheath in the collapsed configuration.