Importance

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Abstract

The inventive stent delivery system includes a catheter having a retractable outer sheath near its distal end. A shape memory contraction member having a memorized contracted shape is connected to the retractable outer sheath. A heat generating device connected to the shape memory contraction member causes the shape memory contraction member to heat up to its transition temperature and assume its contracted position, retracting the retractable outer sheath. Another embodiment utilizes 2 springs, a 'normal' spring and a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring, the two springs selected and designed so that the 'normal' has an expansion force which is less than SMA spring when the SMA spring is austenitic, but greater than the SMA spring when the SMA spring is martensitic. Yet another embodiment utilizes a shape memory latch which in its martensitic state abuts a stop to prevent a spring from moving the sheath proximally, but in its austenitic state releases the stop, allowing the spring to retract the sheath to release the stent for deployment.

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First Claim