| abstract |
A delivery system for delivery and deployment of devices having abrading portions within a patient's lumen. A lumen in a flexible catheter that extends proximally from a distal end of the catheter receives the device in a compact form. At least one impervious segment positioned in the lumen overlies the abrading portions of the device to shield and buffer the surface of the lumen from the abrading portions. The segment is of a relatively short length so that the catheter remains relatively flexible therealong to enable relative ease in the transit of the catheter through the patient's lumen to a delivery site. Additional segments may be disposed in the catheter distally of the segment or the segment may move with the device to the distal end to buffer the walls of the catheter during the deployment of the device. Additional segments mate with the segment so that engaged ones of the segments are relatively radial deflectable. |