| abstract |
An integrated balloon catheter and self-expanding stent, and stent delivery system are provided for treating vascular diseases such as partially occluded blood vessels within the brain. The self-expanding stent is preferably mounted on an elongated core wire, is disposed within a delivery lumen of a balloon catheter and is held in a compressed state onto the elongated core wire by a pair of actuatable retaining rings. When the stent is properly positioned with a vessel, the actuatable retaining rings are activated to release the compressed stent to thereby permit the stent to expand within the vessel. |