Method and apparatus for catheterization to dilate vascular blockage

• Main Authors: WALKER; CRAIG M, CHAISSON; GARY A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.09.1997
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PROSTHESES; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS

An method for implanting a coiled prosthesis within a body passageway having a longitudinally extending central axis first places a coiled prosthesis upon a catheter in a coiled, smaller diameter configuration. The prosthesis and catheter are inserted into the body passageway by catheterization of the body passageway. The prosthesis is expanded in order to unwind the coiled ring prosthesis to a larger diameter configuration that has a diameter larger than the smaller diameter configuration of the prosthesis initially. The prosthesis forms an annular ring having spaced apart first and second annular surfaces. The body passageway is supported in a direction away from the annular ring and along the passageway wall with multiple, longitudinally extending strut support members that each extend away from the ring, and each of which extends partially circumferentially around the passageway. After the prosthesis has been expanded, the catheter is withdrawn from the body passageway.