Abstract:
A catheter assembly and related methods directed to a main balloon and a side balloon, wherein the side balloon (28) is coupled in fluid communication with the main balloon at a location distal of the side balloon. In one example, a side inflation member couples the side balloon in fluid communication to the main balloon at a distal end portion of the main balloon. A side catheter branch of the catheter assembly, which defines a side guidewire lumen, can be operatively mounted to the side balloon at a side balloon connection point to help maintain alignment of the side catheter branch relative to the side balloon.
Abstract:
A stent crimping system and method for use in preparing a bifurcation catheter assembly for use in a patient. The catheter assembly includes main and side catheter branches and a stent. The stent includes a side branch aperture through which the side catheter branch extends. The stent is crimped onto the main and side catheter branches with a crimping mechanism in two crimping steps. In the first crimping step, only a distal end portion of the stent is crimped while the side catheter branch remains extending through the side branch opening of the stent and remains positioned outside of the crimping mechanism. In a second crimping step, the entire stent is crimped with the crimping mechanism.
Abstract:
A catheter assembly and related methods for preparing and assembling catheter assemblies. The catheter assembly includes main (26) and side (28) balloons. The main balloon (26) includes side portions (38,40) that are folded in opposite directions toward a bottom surface (36) of the main balloon to place the main balloon in a folded state. The side balloon is typically positioned along a top surface (34) of the main balloon. The folded balloons can be retained in a folded state with various retaining structures (62,64,68,70) during further preparation and assembling of the catheter assembly.
Abstract:
A stent crimping system and method for use in preparing a bifurcation catheter assembly for use in a patient. The catheter assembly includes main and side catheter branches and a stent. The stent includes a side branch aperture through which the side catheter branch extends. The stent is crimped onto the main and side catheter branches with a crimping mechanism in two crimping steps. In the first crimping step, only a distal end portion of the stent is crimped while the side catheter branch remains extending through the side branch opening of the stent and remains positioned outside of the crimping mechanism. In a second crimping step, the entire stent is crimped with the crimping mechanism.
Abstract:
A catheter assembly (10) includes a main catheter branch (12) and a side catheter branch (14). The main catheter branch includes a main balloon (36), a side balloon (38) and a side inflation member (34). The side inflation member intersects the side balloon at a location on the side balloon that is offset laterally from a central line passing from a distal most point on the side balloon to a proximal most point on the side balloon. The side balloon is configured to extend radially outward relative to the main balloon when the side balloon is inflated. The side catheter branch can be centrally aligned with the side balloon central line and be positioned laterally adjacent to the side inflation lumen.
Abstract:
A catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch (12) and a side catheter branch (14). The main catheter branch (12) includes a main balloon (22) and a si'de balloon (40). The side catheter branch (12) includes a transparent portion along at least a portion of a length of the side catheter branch. The transparent portion of the side catheter branch (14) permits viewing of the side balloon (40) through the transparent portion for alignment of the side balloon (40) relative to the side catheter branch (14). The catheter assembly can further include a stent (16), wherein the stent includes a lateral branch opening (54). The transparent portion of the side catheter branch (14) can also provide viewing of the side balloon (40) through the side catheter branch (14) to help align the side balloon (40) with the lateral branch opening (54).
Abstract:
A catheter assembly and related methods having a main balloon, a branch balloon arrangement and a stent. The branch balloon arrangement can include a branch balloon and at least one orientation indicator. The orientation indicator can include visible markings on portions of the side balloon or on inflation segments coupled in fluid communication to the side balloon. The side balloon can have a specific color that is different from a color of the main balloon for improved visualization of the side balloon. The orientation indicator can be helpful in aligning the side balloon relative to features of the stent. The stent can include a side branch opening located between distal and proximal open ends of the stent.
Abstract:
A side catheter branch (14) of a catheter assembly (10) is oriented with respect to the main or side balloons (24, 26) of a catheter assembly. In some examples, the orientation is accomplished by connecting the side catheter branch to the main and/or side balloons or waste portions (38, 46) thereof. In other examples, the side catheter branch is positioned within the folds of the main or side balloons during assembly of the catheter assembly. In this manner, the side catheter branch remains in a known orientation with respect to the main and/or side balloons prior to and/or after deployment.