NON-COMPLIANT BALLOON WITH COMPLIANT TOP-LAYER TO PROTECT COATED STENTS DURING EXPANSION

摘要

In order to minimize the potential for damage to bio-compatible and/ortherapeutic-containing stent coatings, there is provided a compliant elasticsheath over layer between a non-compliant stent expansion balloon and anunexpanded stent, which is secured over the balloon with a securing crimp.This stent deployment assembly, which is mounted on a catheter, is maneuveredthrough a patient's body to a desired deployment site and then inflated toexpand the stent to the desired diameter. During expansion, the compliantelastic material between the stent and the non-compliant balloon prevents non-compliant balloon-induced damage to the stent's coating, as well as preventingdegradation of the non-compliant balloon by, for example, stent-causedpunctures. The deflated non-compliant stent expansion balloon and compliantelastic sheath are then withdrawn from the patient's body, leaving thedeployed stent at the desired implantation site with its coating substantiallyintact.