| abstract |
A stent delivery system including a stent delivery catheter, a stent dilatation balloon sealingly affixed to the catheter and adapted for inflation by a pressurized fluid introduced into the catheter, and an expandable stent surrounding the balloon and adapted for implantation into a bodily vessel upon inflation of the balloon. The system also includes structure integral with the balloon and possibly the catheter for resisting movement of the stent relative to the balloon throughout all phases of a stent delivery and implantation operation prior to deflation and withdrawal of the balloon from the stent following implantation of the stent. |