CITATION introduces a new class of stent: the first balloon expandable, super-elastic nitinol stent platform combining the attributes of a self-expandable stent with the delivery and accuracy characteristics associated with balloon-expandable stents.

Conventional nitinol stents today are termed “self-expandable.” These stents cannot be mounted on a balloon catheter; they require delivery sheaths that, when removed, cause the stent to expand. This requires separate pre-dilatation and post-dilatation procedures. Stent placement must be done very carefully because the stents tend to want to jump forward when unsheathed.

The unique and proprietary bistable architecture of the CITATION design enables the stent to lock itself onto a balloon delivery system when collapsed, yet retain the flexible, crush-resistant characteristics of a nitinol stent when implanted. This enables three procedural steps to be combined into one, thereby simplifying the procedure and shortening the overall procedure time. Deployment is done simply and accurately just like standard balloon expandable systems.

The bistable CITATION stent improves accuracy and stability. Radiation exposure to hospital personnel and patients is also lessened since the procedure can be done more quickly.