All The Claims

1. A compound having formula (I),
or a therapeutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein
A1 is CN, NO2, C(O)OH, F, Cl, Br, CF3, OCF3, CF2CF3, OCF2CF3, C(O)R1, C(O)OR1, SR1, C(O)NH2, C(O)NHR1, C(O)N(R1)2, NHS(O)R1, SO2NHR1, S(O)R1, or SO2R1;
n is 1, 2 or 3;
R1 is R2, R3, R4 or R5;
R2 is alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl;
R3 is perhaloalkyl or perhaloalkenyl;
R4 is C1-alkyl or C2-alkenyl, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two of independently selected F, Cl or Br;
R5 is C2-C6-alkyl or C3-C6-alkenyl, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two or three or four of independently selected F, Cl or Br;
B1 and X1 are together and are alkylene, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted with (O) and each having one CH2 moiety unreplaced or replaced with CHCH, O, NH or N(alkyl);
D1 is H, alkyl or phenyl;
Z1 is Z2, Z3 or Z4;
Z2 is phenyl or heteroaryl, each of which is substituted with R6, OR6, SR6, S(O)R6 or SO2R6;
R6 is phenyl, heteroaryl cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkyl or heterocycloalkenyl, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two of independently selected alkyl, spiroalkyl, F, Cl, Br, I, R7, OR7, SR7, S(O)R7, SO2R7;
R7 is alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl;
Z3 is phenyl or heteroaryl, each of which is substituted with cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkyl or heterocycloalkenyl, each of which is substituted with CHR8;
R8 is phenyl, heteroaryl cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkyl or heterocycloalkenyl, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two or three of independently selected F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C(O)OH, C(O)OCH3, CN, NH2, NH(CH3), N(CH3)2, CF3, OCF3, CF2CF3 or OCF2CF3;
Z4 is phenyl or heteroaryl, each of which is substituted with phenyl, heteroaryl cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkyl or heterocycloalkenyl, each of which is substituted with one or two of R9 or OR9;
R9 is alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl, each of which is substituted with one or two of independently selected phenyl, heteroaryl cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkyl or heterocycloalkenyl, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two or three of independently selected alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C(O)OH, C(O)OCH3, CN, NH2, NH(CH3), N(CH3)2, CF3, OCF3, CF2CF3, OCF2CF3 or R1;
R11 is phenyl or heteroaryl, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two or three of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C(O)OH, C(O)OCH3, CN, NH2, NH(CH3), N(CH3)2, CF3, OCF3, CF2CF3, OCF2CF3.
2. A compound of claim 1 wherein A1 is NO2; n is 1, 2 or 3;
B1 and X1 are together and are alkylene, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted with (O) and each having one CH2 moiety unreplaced or replaced with CHCH, O, NH or N(alkyl);
D1 is H, alkyl or phenyl; Z1 is Z2, Z3 or Z4;
Z2 is phenyl substituted with R6, OR1, SR1, S(O)R6 or SO2R6;
R6 is phenyl or heterocycloalkyl, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two of independently selected alkyl, spiroalkyl, F, Cl, Br or I;
Z3 is phenyl substituted with heterocycloalkyl which is substituted with CHR8;
R8 is phenyl substituted with one or two or three of independently selected F, Cl, Br, I, OH C(O)OH, C(O)OCH3, CN, NH2, NH(CH3), N(CH3)2, CF3, OCF3, CF2CF3 or OCF2CF3;
Z4 is phenyl substituted with heterocycloalkyl which is substituted with one or two of R9 or OR9;
R9 is alkyl or alkenyl, each of which is substituted with one or two of independently selected phenyl, cycloalkenyl or heterocycloalkenyl, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two or three of independently selected alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C(O)OH, C(O)OCH3, CN, NH2, NH(CH3), N(CH3)2, CF3, OCF3, CF2CF3 or R11;
R11 is phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two or three of F, Cl, Br, I, OH C(O)OH, C(O)OCH3, CN, NH2, NH(CH3), N(CH3)2, CF3, OCF3, CF2CF3, OCF2CF3.
3. A compound of claim 2, wherein A1 is NO2; n is 1;
B1 and X1 are together and are alkylene substituted with (O) and having one CH2 moiety replaced with O;
D is alkyl;
Z1 is Z2, Z3 or Z4;
Z2 is phenyl substituted with R6, OR6;
R6 is phenyl, piperidinyl or piperazinyl, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two of independently selected alkyl, spiroalkyl, F, Cl, Br or I;
Z3 is phenyl substituted with heterocycloalkyl which is substituted with CHR8;
R8 is phenyl substituted with one or two or three of independently selected F, Cl, Br, I, CF3 or OCF3;
Z4 is phenyl substituted with piperidinyl or piperazinyl, each of which is substituted with one or two of R9 or OR9;
R9 is alkyl or alkenyl, each of which is substituted with one or two of independently selected phenyl, cycloalkenyl or heterocycloalkenyl, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two or three of independently selected alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C(O)OH, C(O)OCH3, CN, NH2, NH(CH3), N(CH3)2, CF3, OCF3 or R11;
R11 is phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two or three of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CF3 or OCF3.
4. A composition for treating diseases during which are expressed one or more than one of antiapoptotic Bcl-XL protein, antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein or antiapoptotic Bcl-w protein, said composition comprising an excipient and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1.
5. A method of treating diseases in a patient during which are expressed one or more than one of antiapoptotic Bcl-XL protein, antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein or antiapoptotic Bcl-w protein, said method comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A transfer set for transferring fluids between a first container including an open end, a rim portion surrounding said open end and a pierceable closure in said open end sealing said first container, and a second container, said transfer set comprising:
an integral body including a first tubular portion surrounding said rim portion of said first container have an open end secured to said rim portion of said first container, a radial portion integral with said first tubular portion overlying rim portion of said first container, a second tubular portion integral with said radial portion having an open proximal end overlying said pierceable closure generally coaxially aligned with said open end of said first container and a distal open adapted to receive said second container, and a third tubular portion integrally joined to said second tubular portion having a distal open end surrounding said distal open end of said second tubular portion in spaced relation;
a piercing element telescopically received in said second tubular portion having a piercing end adjacent said pierceable closure and moveable within said second tubular portion to pierce said pierceable closure and establish fluid communication between said first and second containers through said second tubular portion; and
a removable closure overlying and sealing said distal open end portion of said third tubular portion.
2. The transfer set as defined in claim 1, wherein said third tubular portion is joined to said second tubular portion by a generally radial bridging portion integrally joined to a midportion of said second tubular portion.
3. The transfer set as defined in claim 2, wherein said distal open end portion of said third tubular portion is generally concentric with and spaced from said distal open end of said second tubular portion.
4. The transfer set as defined in claim 1, wherein said distal open end of said second tubular portion includes a Luer connection adapted to threadably receive a Luer connection of said second container.
5. The transfer set as defined in claim 1, wherein said radial portion of said integral body overlies said pierceable closure and said radial portion including a plurality of generally concentric ribs surrounding said second tubular portion sealingly engaging said pierceable closure.
6. The transfer set as defined in claim 5, wherein said concentric ribs are circular and coaxially aligned with said second tubular portion.
7. The transfer set as defined in claim 5, wherein said concentric ribs have a sharp circular edge biting into said pierceable closure.
8. The transfer set as defined in claim 5, wherein said radial portion includes radial ribs adjacent said first tubular portion engaging said pierceable closure and preventing rotation of said transfer set relative to said first container.
9. The transfer set as defined in claim 1, wherein said open end of said first tubular portion is permanently deformed radially beneath said rim portion of said first container, permanently attaching said transfer set to said first container.
10. The transfer set as defined in claim 1, wherein said piercing element includes an elongated body portion releasably contained in said second tubular portion of said body by said closure.
11. The transfer set as defined in claim 10, wherein said second tubular portion includes an internal abutment surface and said body portion of said piercing element includes a radial portion preventing withdrawal of said piercing element from said second tubular portion.
12. The transfer set as defined in claim 1, wherein said open proximal end of said second tubular portion includes an axially extending barb surrounding said open proximal end sealingly engaging said pierceable closure and providing sealed communication between said first container and said second tubular portion.
13. The transfer set as defined in claim 1, wherein said second tubular portion of said body is generally cylindrical and said third tubular portion is bell-shaped having a rim portion surrounding said distal open end of said second tubular portion and a proximal end portion extending generally radially inwardly and integrally joined to a midportion of said second tubular portion.
14. A transfer set for transferring fluids between a first container including an open end, a rim portion surrounding said open end and a pierceable closure in said open end sealing said first container and a second container, said transfer set comprising:
an integral body including a first generally cylindrical tubular portion surrounding said rim portion of said first container having an open distal end secured to said rim portion of said first container and a proximal end portion, a radial portion integral with a proximal end of said first tubular portion extending radially inwardly and overlying said pierceable closure, a second generally cylindrical tubular portion integral with a radial inner extent of said radial portion extending generally perpendicular to said radial portion having an open proximal end overlying said pierceable closure generally coaxially aligned with said open end of said first container and a distal open end adapted to receive said second container, said radial portion including a plurality of generally concentric ribs surrounding said open proximal end of said second tubular portion sealingly engaging said pierceable closure, and a third tubular portion having an open distal end surrounding said distal open end of said second tubular portion and a proximal end portion integrally joined to said second tubular portion spaced from said radial portion;
a piercing element telescopically received in said second tubular portion having a piercing end opposite said pierceable closure and moveable within said second tubular portion to pierce said pierceable closure and establish fluid communication between said first and second containers through said second tubular portion; and
a removable closure overlying and sealing said distal open end portion of said third tubular portion.
15. The transfer set as defined in claim 14, wherein said proximal end portion of said third tubular portion is joined to said second tubular portion by a radial bridging portion integrally joined to a midportion of said second tubular portion.
16. The transfer set as defined in claim 15, wherein said third tubular portion is bell-shaped having a rim portion surrounding said distal open end of said second tubular portion in spaced relation and a generally radially inwardly extending portion integrally joined to said midportion of said second tubular portion.
17. The transfer set as defined in claim 14, wherein said distal open end of said second tubular portion includes a Luer connector adapted to threadably receive a threaded end portion of said second container.
18. The transfer set as defined in claim 14, wherein said plurality of generally concentric ribs are circular and coaxially aligned with said second tubular portion.
19. The transfer set as defined in claim 14, wherein said plurality of generally concentric ribs each have a sharp circular edge biting into said pierceable closure.
20. The transfer set as defined in claim 14, wherein said radial portion includes radial ribs adjacent said first tubular portion sealingly engaging said pierceable closure.
21. The transfer set as defined in claim 14, wherein said open distal end of said first tubular portion is permanently deformed radially beneath said rim portion of said first container permanently attaching said transfer set to said first container.
22. The transfer set is defined in claim 14, wherein said piercing element includes an elongated body portion having a distal end releasably retained in said second tubular portion by said removable closure.
23. The transfer set as defined in claim 14, wherein said open proximal end of said second tubular portion includes an axially extending barb sealingly engaging said pierceable closure and providing sealed communication between said first container and said second tubular portion.

1. A cleaning system comprising a hair removing apparatus and a cleaning device,
said apparatus having a height and an operator head at its top end, said apparatus incorporating an externally controllable electric circuit for driving said operator head in accordance with an external electric signal, said cleaning device comprising:
a housing configured to hold said apparatus in an inverted manner;
a basin formed in said housing for accommodating therein said operator head;
a tank provided on the housing to contain a volume of a cleaning liquid;
a supplying means for supplying the cleaning liquid from said tank to said basin for cleaning the operator head;
a controller for activating said supplying means as well as for providing said electric signal,

said housing being formed with a signal transmitting means for transmitting said electric signal,
said hair removing apparatus having a signal receiving means which comes into electrical interconnection with said signal transmitting means for giving said electric signal to said electric circuit when said apparatus is held by said housing;
wherein said signal transmitting means is disposed at a portion of the housing upwardly of said basin,
wherein said externally controllable electric circuit is configured for driving said operator head and for charging the hair removing apparatus in accordance with said external electric signal, and said signal receiving means is disposed intermediate the height of said apparatus, and the mechanism or parts for the electrical connection between the signal transmitting means and the signal receiving means are located within the height of the apparatus being held by the housing of the device,
wherein the configuration of said externally controllable electric circuit for driving said operator head and for charging the hair removing apparatus in accordance with said external electric signal involves said controller of said cleaning device activating said external electric signal to flow through said signal transmitting means and said signal receiving means via said electrical interconnection to a controller of said hair removing apparatus which drives the operator head andor charges the hair removing apparatus.
2. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a stopper which is engaged with a portion of the apparatus to hold said apparatus in a position where said signal transmission means are kept in electrical connection with said signal receiving means, wherein said stopper is provided at such a position to keep the operator head spaced from a bottom of said basin when said apparatus is held in the inverted manner to said housing.
3. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controller of said cleaning device is configured to provide a supply mode of supplying the cleaning liquid from the tank to said basin, and a recovery mode which follows said supply mode to collect the cleaning liquid from the basin to the tank, said controller of said cleaning device being configured to activate said operator head at the end of said recovery mode for shaking the cleaning liquid off.
4. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said signal receiving means comprises terminal pads formed on the exterior of an apparatus’s casing, and said signal transmitting means comprises a set of contacts exposed on an exterior of said housing for pressed contact with said terminal pads, respectively.
5. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said signal transmitting means comprises a primary winding that is concealed within said housing and is electromagnetically coupled to a secondary winding held within the hair removing apparatus, said primary winding being electrically coupled to said controller of said cleaning device, and said secondary winding being electrically coupled to said electric circuit of the apparatus and defining said signal receiving means.
6. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing comprises holding means which holds the apparatus in a position where said signal transmission means is kept in electrical interconnection with said signal receiving means.
7. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said holding means comprises a mechanism that gives a bias for urging said signal transmitting means towards said signal receiving means.
8. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said mechanism comprises a pulling unit that pulls the apparatus towards the housing.
9. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said holding means comprises a stopper which engages with a portion of the apparatus to hold said apparatus in a position wherein said signal transmission means are kept in electrical connection with said signal receiving means.
10. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said holding means further comprises a guide face which is inclined with respect to a height axis of the housing such that the hair removing apparatus is guided along the inclined guide face.
11. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 9, wherein a pushing unit serves as said stopper to hold said apparatus in said position such that said signal transmission means are kept in electrical connection with said signal receiving means.
12. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said signal transmitting means is disposed intermediate the height of said housing.
13. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a base and a stand upstanding from a rear end of the base; and said signal transmitting means is disposed intermediate the height of said stand.
14. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said holding means further comprises a guide face which is inclined with respect to a height axis of the housing such that the hair removing apparatus is guided along the inclined guide face.
15. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said stopper is provided at such a position to keep the operator head spaced from a bottom of said basin when said apparatus is held in the inverted manner to said housing.
16. A cleaning system comprising a hair removing apparatus and a cleaning device,
said apparatus having a height and an operator head at its top end, said apparatus incorporating an externally controllable electric circuit for driving said operator head in accordance with an external electric signal, said cleaning device comprising:
a housing configured to hold said apparatus in an inverted manner;
a basin formed in said housing for accommodating therein said operator head;
a tank provided on the housing to contain a volume of a cleaning liquid;
a supplying means for supplying the cleaning liquid from said tank to said basin for cleaning the operator head;
a controller for activating said supplying means as well as for providing said electric signal,
said housing being formed with a signal transmitting terminal for transmitting said electric signal,
said hair removing apparatus having a signal receiving terminal which comes into electrical interconnection with said signal transmitting terminal for giving said electric signal to said electric circuit when said apparatus is held by said housing;
wherein said signal transmitting terminal is disposed at a portion of the housing upwardly of said basin,
wherein said externally controllable electric circuit is configured for driving said operator head and for charging the hair removing apparatus in accordance with said external electric signal, and said signal receiving terminal is disposed intermediate the height of said apparatus, and the mechanism or parts for the electrical connection between said signal transmitting terminal and said signal receiving terminal are located within the height of the apparatus being held by the housing of the device,
wherein the configuration of said externally controllable electric circuit for driving said operator head and for charging the hair removing apparatus in accordance with said external electric signal involves said controller of said cleaning device activating said external electric signal to flow through said signal transmitting terminal and said signal receiving terminal via said electrical interconnection to a controller of said hair removing apparatus which drives the operator head andor charges the hair removing apparatus.
17. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said controller of said cleaning device is configured to provide a supply mode of supplying the cleaning liquid from the tank to said basin, and a recovery mode which follows said supply mode to collect the cleaning liquid from the basin to the tank, said controller of said cleaning device being configured to activate said operator head at the end of said recovery mode for shaking the liquid off.
18. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said signal transmitting terminal is disposed intermediate the height of said housing.
19. The cleaning system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said housing comprises a base and a stand upstanding from a rear end of the base; and said signal transmitting terminal is disposed intermediate the height of said stand.
20. A cleaning system comprising a hair removing apparatus and a cleaning device,
said apparatus having a height and an operator head at its top end, said apparatus incorporating an externally controllable electric circuit for driving said operator head in accordance with an external electric signal, said cleaning device comprising:
a housing configured to hold said apparatus in an inverted manner;
a basin formed in said housing for accommodating therein said operator head and a volume of a cleaning liquid for cleaning the operator head;
a controller configured to provide said electric signal,
said housing being formed with a signal transmitting terminal for transmitting said electric signal,
said hair removing apparatus having a signal receiving terminal which comes into electrical interconnection with said signal transmitting terminal for giving said electric signal to said electric circuit when said apparatus is held by said housing;
wherein said signal transmitting terminal is disposed at a portion of the housing upwardly of said basin,
wherein said externally controllable electric circuit is configured for driving said operator head and for charging the hair removing apparatus in accordance with said external electric signal, and said signal receiving terminal is disposed intermediate the height of said apparatus, and the mechanism or parts for the electrical connection between said signal transmitting terminal and said signal receiving terminal are located within the height of the apparatus being held by the housing of the device,
wherein the configuration of said externally controllable electric circuit for driving said operator head and for charging the hair removing apparatus in accordance with said external electric signal involves said controller of said cleaning device activating said external electric signal to flow through said signal transmitting terminal and said signal receiving terminal via said electrical interconnection to a controller of said hair removing apparatus which drives the operator head andor charges the hair removing apparatus.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

We claim:

1. A stent delivery system comprising:
a catheter system including an elongate member including a chamber arranged at a distal end of said system, said chamber being structured and arranged to receive a preloaded stent;
a sheath for covering said stent receiving section, said sheath having a proximal sheath portion extending over a proximal portion of said chamber and structured and arranged to be moveable in a proximal direction and a distal sheath portion extending over a distal portion of said chamber structured and arranged to be moveable in a distal direction.
2. The stent delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising means for controlling the movement of said proximal sheath portion in said proximal direction and means for controlling the movement of said distal sheath portion in said distal direction.
3. The stent delivery system according to claim 2, further comprising:
an inner tubular member having a first and a second end, said first end of said inner tubular member operably coupled to said means for manually controlling the movement of said distal sheath portion in said distal direction, said second end of said inner tubular member operably coupled to said distal sheath portion.
4. The stent delivery system according to claim 3, wherein said proximal sheath portion is operably coupled to said means for controlling the movement of said proximal sheath portion in said proximal direction and the movement of said distal sheath portion in said distal direction.
5. The stent delivery system according to claim 4, wherein said means for controlling the movement of said proximal sheath portion in said proximal direction and the movement of said distal sheath portion in said distal direction comprises:
a rotatable proximal housing; and
a stationary distal housing operably coupled to said rotatable outer proximal housing.
6. The stent delivery system according to claim 5, wherein said means for controlling the movement of said proximal sheath portion in said proximal direction and the movement of said distal sheath portion in said distal direction further comprises:
a cup shaped insert operably coupled to said rotatable proximal housing such that upon rotation of said rotatable proximal housing said cup shaped insert moves in a proximal direction; and
wherein said proximal sheath portion is coupled to said cup shaped insert such that upon rotation of said rotatable proximal housing said proximal sheath portion moves in a proximal direction.
7. The stent delivery system according to claim 6, wherein said rotatable proximal housing includes an internal throat portion; and
wherein said means for controlling the movement of said proximal sheath portion in said proximal direction and the movement of said distal sheath portion in said distal direction further comprises:
an annular sleeve operably coupled to said throat portion of said rotatable proximal housing such that upon rotation of said rotatable proximal housing said annular sleeve moves in a distal direction.
8. The stent delivery system according to claim 7, wherein said means for controlling the movement of said proximal sheath portion in said proximal direction and the movement of said distal sheath portion in said distal direction further comprises:
a plunger operably coupled to said inner tubular member, said plunger being operably coupled to said annular sleeve during at least a selected phase of movement of said annular sleeve such that upon rotation of said rotatable proximal member said plunger moves conjointly with said annular sleeve in a distal direction thereby moving said distal sheath portion in said distal direction.
9. The stent delivery system according to claim 8, wherein said means for controlling the movement of said proximal sheath portion in said proximal direction and the movement of said distal sheath portion in said distal direction further comprises:
a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism being structured and arranged to prevent the distal movement of said plunger during an initial phase of movement of said annular sleeve and permit said plunger to move conjointly with said annular sleeve during said selected phase of movement of said annular sleeve in the system, when the junction of said distal and proximal sheath portions are located initially towards a distal end of said stent receiving section.
10. The stent delivery system according to claim 9, wherein said locking mechanism comprises:
at least one lock arm having a foot portion and a head portion;
and at least one lock hinge having a shoulder portion and a arm portion;
wherein said shoulder portion of said lock hinge is arranged in abutting contact with a head of said plunger to thereby prevent the distal movement of said plunger during said initial phase of movement of said annular sleeve;
wherein said lock hinge is biased to move to a clearance position relative to said head of said plunger and said head portion of said lock arm is placed in abutting contact with said arm portion of said lock hinge during said initial phase of movement of said annular sleeve to thereby prevent said lock hinge from moving to said clearance position thereby maintaining said shoulder portion of said lock hinge in abutment with said head of said plunger.
11. The stent delivery system according to claim 10, wherein said cup shaped insert has a leading proximal surface that is placed into contact with said foot portion of said at least one lock arm when said cup shaped portion moves in said proximal direction, said proximal surface being placed into contact with said foot portion at substantially the same time as a commencement of said selected phase of movement of said annular sleeve, said proximal surface of said cup shaped insert applying a force to said foot portion of said at least one arm to thereby move said lock are in a proximal direction thereby moving said head of said lock arm out of abutting contact with said abutting contact with said arm portion of said lock hinge permitting said lock hinge to move to clearance position thereby permitting said plunger to move in a distal direction.
12. The stent delivery system according to claim 11, wherein said plunger includes a stem portion that extends distally from said head of said plunger, said stem portion structured and arranged so that it extends into an axial bore of said annular sleeve, said stem portion having an outer surface and a radially outwardly extending lip that extends outwardly from said outer surface, and
wherein said annular sleeve has an inner surface and a radially inwardly extending lip, and
wherein at said commencement of said selected phase of movement of said annular sleeve said radially outwardly extending lip of said stem portion is placed in abutment with said radially inwardly extending lip of said annular sleeve such that further movement of said annular sleeve in said distal direction causes said plunger to move in said distal direction.
13. The stent delivery system according to claim 12, wherein said cup shaped insert has an external surface provided with at least one recessed axial channel and an internal surface of said stationary distal housing is provided with at least one key structured and arranged to mate with said at least one recessed axial channel, said at least one recessed axial channel and said at least one key cooperating to permit an axial movement of said cup shaped insert while at the same time preventing a rotational movement of said cup shaped insert.
14. The stent delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said proximal sheath portion terminates at a distal edge and said distal sheath portion terminates at a proximal edge, said distal edge of said proximal sheath portion and said proximal edge of said distal sheath portion initially abut one other so that said sheath initially completely a stent.
15. The stent delivery system accordingly to claim 14, wherein said distal edge of said proximal sheath portion and said proximal edge of said distal sheath portion initially abut one another at a location that substantially corresponds to a midpoint of said stent.
16. The stent delivery system according to claim 14, wherein said distal edge of said proximal sheath portion and said proximal edge of said distal sheath portion initially abut one another at a location offset distally or proximally with respect to a midpoint of said stent.
17. The stent delivery system according to claim 3, wherein said inner tubular member has a guidewire lumen.
18. The stent delivery system according to claim 3, wherein said inner tubular member has a multichannel construction, one of said channels being structured and arranged to receive a guidewire and another one of said channels being structured and arranged to permit simultaneous flushing or instillation of fluid.
19. The stent delivery system according to claim 8, wherein said means for controlling the movement of said proximal sheath portion in said proximal direction and the movement of said distal sheath portion in said distal direction further comprises:
means for operably coupling said plunger to said annular sleeve such that as soon as said annular sleeve begins moving in a distal direction said plunger and said distal portion of said sheath also move conjointly with said sleeve in said distal direction when a junction between said proximal and distal sheath portions is initially arranged over a middle portion of said stent receiving section.
20. A stent delivery system comprising:
a sheath for covering a stent, said sheath having a proximal sheath portion structured and arranged to be moveable in a proximal direction and a distal sheath portion structured and arranged to be moveable in a distal direction, whereby when said proximal sheath portion is moved in said proximal direction and said distal sheath portion is moved in said distal direction a middle portion of said stent is exposed prior to the exposure and expansion of the terminal end portions of said stent.
21. The stent delivery system according to claim 20, further comprising means for controlling the movement of said proximal sheath portion in said proximal direction and the movement of said distal sheath portion in said distal direction, said means comprising:
at least a first member moveable in a proximal direction, said first member operably coupled to said proximal sheath portion; and
at least a second member movable in a distal direction, said second member operably coupled to said distal sheath portion.
22. The stent delivery system according to claim 21, wherein said means for controlling the movement of said proximal sheath portion in said proximal direction and the movement of said distal sheath portion in said distal direction is manually operable by an operator.
23. A stent delivery system comprising:
a catheter system;
an outer tubular member;
an intermediate tubular member arranged within said outer tubular member;
an inner tubular member arranged within said intermediate tubular member;
wherein said intermediate tubular member and said inner tubular member are structured and arranged to define a stent loading section therebetween; and
wherein each of said outer tubular member and said intermediate tubular member are relatively movable respect to one another and the movement of each of the outer tubular member and intermediate tubular member are manually controllable by an operator.
24. A stent delivery system comprising:
a catheter system;
an outer tubular member;
an inner tubular member, said outer tubular member and said inner tubular member defining a stent loading section therebetween;
an inflatable balloon operably coupled to said catheter system, said balloon arranged distally relative to said stent loading section;
wherein said outer tubular member is manually movable by an operator to enable the selective retraction of said outer tubular member.
25. The stent delivery system according to claim 24, wherein said balloon is operably coupled to a balloon lumen for enabling the selective inflation of said balloon.
26. A catheter assembly for delivering and deploying a self-expanding stent, comprising:
an elongate member having an axially extending stent-mounting portion at a distal end region thereof;
a self-expanding stent having proximal and distal ends coaxially mounted in a collapsed configuration on said stent-mounting portion of said elongate member;
an outer tubular proximal sheath portion coaxially mounted on said elongate member at said distal region thereof, said proximal sheath portion having a distal end and being structured and arranged to move between a closed position in which said distal end of said proximal sheath portion overlies said stent and is situated between the ends of said stent, and an open position in which said distal end of said proximal sheath portion, does not overlie said stent and is situated proximally of said proximal end of said stent;
an outer tubular distal sheath portion coaxially mounted on said elongate member at said distal region thereof, said distal sheath portion having a proximal end and being structured and arranged to move between a closed position in which said proximal end of said distal sheath portion overlies said stent and is situated between the ends of said stent, and an open position in which said proximal end of said distal sheath portion does not overlie said stent and is situated distally of said distal end of said stent;
a mechanism situated in part at, and operable from, a proximal end region of said catheter assembly for controlling the movement of said proximal and distal sheath portions from said closed to said open positions thereof;
whereby said stent is delivered to a desired treatment site within said vessel while mounted in a collapsed configuration on said stent-mounting portion of said elongate member with said proximal and distal sheath portions situated in their closed positions restraining the expansion of said stent, and is deployed at said treatment site by operation of said mechanism to move said proximal and distal sheath portions to their open positions to allow the expansion and deployment of said stent.
27. The catheter assembly for delivering and deploying a self-expanding stent according to claim 26, wherein when in their closed positions said proximal end of said distal sheath portion and said distal end of said proximal sheath portion are in mutual engagement.
28. The catheter assembly for delivering and deploying a self-expanding stent according to claim 26, wherein when in their closed positions, the proximal and distal sheath portions overlie the entire stent.
29. The catheter assembly for delivering and deploying a self-expanding stent according to claim 26, wherein said control mechanism includes means for moving said proximal and distal sheath portions from there closed positions to their open positions in a coordinated manner.
30. The catheter assembly for delivering and deploying a self-expanding stent according to claim 26, wherein said control mechanism includes means for moving one of said proximal and distal sheath portions without moving the other of said proximal and distal sheath portions.
31. The catheter assembly for delivering and deploying a self-expanding stent according to claim 26, wherein said proximal and distal sheath portions comprise separate and distinct members.
32. An elongate catheter assembly for delivering and deploying a self-expanding stent, comprising:
an elongate member having an axially extending stent-mounting portion at a distal end region thereof;
an outer tubular proximal sheath portion coaxially mounted on said elongate member at said distal region thereof, said proximal sheath portion being structured and to move between a closed position in which said proximal sheath portion partially overlies said stent-mounting portion of said elongate member, and an open position in which said proximal sheath portion does not overlie said stent-mounting portion of said elongate member or any part thereof;
an outer tubular distal sheath portion coaxially mounted on said elongate member at said distal region thereof, said distal sheath portion being structured and arranged to move between a closed position in which said distal sheath portion partially overlies said stent-mounting portion of said elongate member, and an open position in which said distal sheath portion does not overlie said stent-mounting portion or any part thereof;
a mechanism situated in part at, and operable from, a proximal end region of said catheter assembly for controlling the movement of said proximal and distal sheath portions from said closed to said open positions thereof;
whereby a stent is delivered to a desired treatment site within said vessel while mounted in a collapsed configuration on said stent-mounting portion of said elongate member with said proximal and distal sheath portions situated in their closed positions restraining the expansion of the stent, and is deployed at said treatment site by operation of said mechanism to move said proximal and distal sheath portions to their open positions to allow the expansion and deployment of the stent.
33. The catheter assembly for delivering and deploying a self-expanding stent according to claim 32, wherein when in their closed positions said proximal end of said distal sheath portion and said distal end of said proximal sheath portion are in mutual engagement.
34. The catheter assembly for delivering and deploying a self-expanding stent according to claim 32, wherein when in their closed positions, the proximal and distal sheath portions overlie the entire stent.
35. The catheter assembly for delivering and deploying a self-expanding stent according to claim 32, wherein said control mechanism includes means for moving said proximal and distal sheath portions from there closed positions to their open positions in a coordinated manner.
36. The catheter assembly for delivering and deploying a self-expanding stent according to claim 32, wherein said control mechanism includes means for moving one of said proximal and distal sheath portions without moving the other of said proximal and distal sheath portions.
37. The catheter assembly for delivering and deploying a self-expanding stent according to claim 32, wherein said proximal and distal sheath portions comprise separate and distinct members.