| abstract |
An apparatus for secure stent delivery where the stent is delivered by a catheter system including a foldable delivery balloon. The apparatus, embodied in a stent with tethering clips, enables the stent and delivery balloon to be mechanically interlocked during delivery of the stent. The tethering clips are coupled to a strut included in the stent and the clips are positionable in a releasable gripping relationship with a fold in the balloon. When the balloon is inflated, the tethering clips are pushed outward and the stent and balloon are no longer interlocked, allowing the stent to be expandable radially by the inflating balloon. |