Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method to place a bifurcated stent into a body lumen by using a delivery device requiring only one incision. Relative axial movements between a catheter and a sheath in the delivery device permit the insertion and expansion of the stent. During placement into and removal from the patient's body, the branch sections of the bifurcated stent are held in substantially parallel arrangement. Opposing tendencies between a self-expanding stent and leg portions within the delivery device can be tailored such that, during deployment, the bifurcation bias due to the elastic spring forces in the stent overcome the parallel bias within the delivery device. In situations where a balloon-expandable stent is used, the delivery device obviates the need for balloon change during stent placement. Such catheters can also be used for angioplasty, eventually in combination with stenting, and are also equally applicable to both multibranch and side branch body lumens, which are difficult to reach with conventional devices and techniques.

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First Claim