초록 ▼

A stent is placed in a tubular structure of the anatomy such as the vascular or respiratory system by advancing a probe bearing the stent into the body. The disposition of the probe, and hence the disposition of the stent are monitored using a system which transmits non-ionizing fields between a tra

A stent is placed in a tubular structure of the anatomy such as the vascular or respiratory system by advancing a probe bearing the stent into the body. The disposition of the probe, and hence the disposition of the stent are monitored using a system which transmits non-ionizing fields between a transducer or transducers on the probe and external transducers. The disposition of the stent relative to the tubular structure is depicted showing a representation of the stent superposed on an image of the tubular structure. This provides accurate placement, particularly for complex stents with features such as one or more branches which must be aligned with anatomical features.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A method of applying a stent in a tubular structure within the body of a patient comprising the steps of:(a) advancing a probe bearing a stent into the tubular body structure;(b) determining a disposition of the stent relative to the patient, the determining step including the step

[ I claim:] [1.] A method of applying a stent in a tubular structure within the body of a patient comprising the steps of:(a) advancing a probe bearing a stent into the tubular body structure;(b) determining a disposition of the stent relative to the patient, the determining step including the step of transmitting one or more non-ionizing fields to or from at least one internal field transducer on said probe or said stent, detecting each such transmitted field and deducing the disposition of the stent at least partially from the properties of said transmitted fields; and(c) releasing said stent from said probe when said determining step indicates that said stent is at a preselected disposition relative to said tubular structure.