Endovascular delivery system with an improved radiopaque marker scheme

Abstract

An endovascular delivery system for an endovascular prosthesis includes a radiopaque marker system for accurate delivery of the prosthesis. The radiopaque marker system is disposed within a prosthesis or stent holder within the delivery system. The radiopaque marker system includes a plurality of radiopaque markers that provide different views rotation of the prosthesis or stent holder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An endovascular delivery system, comprising:
 an elongate outer tubular device having an open lumen and opposed proximal and distal ends with a medial portion therein between;   an inner tubular member configured to be disposed within an outer tubular device, said inner tubular member comprising a longitudinal axis and a proximal portion comprising:   a rotatable prosthesis holder comprising a body and a plurality of markers; and   an outer surface, upon which a prosthesis may be secured prior to delivery,   wherein the plurality of markers comprises a first marker having a longitudinal axis aligned in a direction generally parallel to said inner tubular member longitudinal axis and a second marker having a longitudinal axis aligned in a direction generally perpendicular to said inner tubular member longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable prosthesis holder body surrounds an axial guidewire. 
     
     
         3 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 2 , wherein said first marker and said marker are spaced an equal distance from said axial guidewire. 
     
     
         4 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said prosthesis holder is made of a material that is not fluorescent or radiopaque. 
     
     
         5 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 2 , wherein said axial guidewire is made of a material that is fluorescent or radiopaque. 
     
     
         6 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second markers are made of a material that is fluorescent or radiopaque. 
     
     
         7 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said first marker is disposed within a first interior portion of the body of the prosthesis holder. 
     
     
         8 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said second marker is disposed within a second interior portion of the body of the prosthesis holder. 
     
     
         9 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said first marker and/or said second marker are made of materials selected from the group consisting of palladium, iridium, gold, tantalum, tungsten, platinum, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said first marker and/or said second marker are made of radiopaque polymeric materials. 
     
     
         11 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein said radiopaque polymeric materials comprise polymeric materials with radiopaque fillers. 
     
     
         12 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 11 , wherein said radiopaque fillers are selected from the group consisting of bismuth, barium, and tungsten. 
     
     
         13 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 2 , wherein said first marker and said second marker are spaced at about a 90° interval as measured around a longitudinal axis formed by said axial guidewire. 
     
     
         14 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said first marker and said second marker comprise a shape selected from the group consisting of a hollow construction, a partially hollow construction and a solid construction. 
     
     
         15 . The endovascular delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein a first interior portion of the body of the prosthesis holder is different from a second interior portion of the body of the prosthesis holder. 
     
     
         16 . An endovascular delivery system, comprising:
 an outer tubular device having an open lumen and opposed proximal and distal ends with a medial portion therein between;   an inner tubular member configured to be disposed within an outer tubular device, said inner tubular member comprising a proximal portion comprising:   a rotatable prosthesis holder comprising a body and a plurality of markers; and   an outer surface, upon which a prosthesis may be secured prior to delivery,   wherein the plurality of markers comprises a first and a second marker each having a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the first marker is generally perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the second marker.   
     
     
         17 . An endovascular delivery system, comprising:
 an elongate inner tubular member comprising a proximal portion comprising:   a rotatable prosthesis holder comprising a body surrounding and axial guidewire, the body comprising a first radiopaque marker and a second radiopaque marker; and   an outer surface, upon which a prosthesis may be secured prior to delivery,   wherein said first radiopaque marker and said second radiopaque marker are spaced at about a 90° interval as measured around a longitudinal axis formed by said axial guidewire.   
     
     
         18 . The endovascular system of  claim 17 , comprising an outer tubular device having an open lumen and opposed proximal and distal ends with a medial portion therein between, the outer tubular wherein the elongate inner tubular member is configured to be disposed within said outer tubular device.