abstract |
This invention is a prosthesis delivery system having a balloon catheter with an inflatable balloon (10) on its exterior. The balloon is inflatable by injection of fluid through a lumen (21) in the catheter and the balloon is initially partially constrained against inflation by a constraint (14). A tubular prosthesis (12) is initially disposed on the catheter in the contracted condition. Further, a balloon catheter includes a constraint so that the balloon may be sequentially inflated for dilation purposes such as in a valvuloplasty operation. |