| abstract |
This invention concerns a cystoscope delivery system for implanting a flexible, generally cylindrical, expandable stent (10). The system comprises a rigid or flexible sheath (2), said sheath defining a central lumen (6) and at least one secondary lumen (27) extending therethrough having two openings extending from a secondary lumen (27) radially to the surface of the sheath (2), a rigid cystoscope (19) comprising a distal scope member (20) extending through the central lumen (6) and a proximal viewing head (3), a stent (10) positioned circumferentially around said sheath (2), at least one release wire (34) extending through said secondary lumen or lumens (27), and two or three restraining means (36), two of which are positioned and extending over the respective ends of the stent (10) to hold the stent (10) in position, so that when the release wire or wires (34) are pulled proximally, one or both ends of the stent (10) are released from the restraining members to permit the stent (10) to expand. |