| abstract |
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a delivery apparatus for anself-expanding stent. The apparatus includes an outer sheath, which is an elongated tubularnmember having distal and proximal ends. The outer sheath is made from an outer polymericnlayer, a inner polymeric layer, and a braided reinforcing layer between the inner and outernlayers. The reinforcing layer is more rigid than the inner and outer layers. The apparatusnfurther includes an inner shaft located coaxially within the outer sheath. The shaft has a distalnend, extending distal to the distal end of the sheath, and a proximal end, extending proximal tonthe proximal end of the sheath. The shaft further includes a stop attached thereto. The stop isnproximal to the distal end of the sheath. Lastly, the apparatus includes a self-expanding stentnlocated within the sheath. The stent makes frictional contact with the inner layer of the sheath.nThe stent is located between the stop and the distal end of the sheath, with a portion of thenshaft disposed coaxially within a lumen of the stent. The stent makes contact with the stopnduring deployment of the stent. |