Abstract:
A stent delivery catheter system for accurately positioning a stent in a bifurcated vessel is disclosed. The system includes a catheter having a terminal portion and distal tip that is placed in a main branch of the vessel proximate the bifurcation. A fixed guidewire is attached to distal tip. A port is defined in the terminal portion of the catheter. The port is aligned with an ostium of a side branch of the bifurcated vessel to allow the passage of a stent delivery device, such as a balloon catheter having a stent crimped thereon, into the side branch. Radiopaque bands are positioned on opposite ends of the port. A positioning balloon is included on a surface of the catheter opposite the port and is selectively inflatable to position the radiopaque bands adjacent the side branch ostium. The radiopaque bands are referenced to place the stent proximate the side branch ostium.
Abstract:
A contoured intraluminal stent for deployment proximate a bifurcated vessel is disclosed. The contoured stent is configured to seat within a side branch of the bifurcated vessel so as to acceptably cover a curvilinear ostium defined at the intersection of the side branch with a main branch of the vessel. A stent deployment system includes a first guidewire positioned in the vessel main branch and a second guidewire that extends through the main branch and into the vessel side branch, wherein the intersection of the branches defines an ostium having a three- dimensionally curvilinear shape. A balloon catheter is tracked along the second guidewire to a position in the side branch proximate the ostium. A contoured stent disposed about the balloon includes a proximal end that defines a curvilinear profile that at least approximately matches the curvilinear shape of the ostium when the stent is deployed in the side branch.
Abstract:
A contoured intraluminal stent (20) for deployment proximate a bifurcated vessel (10) is disclosed. The contoured stent (20) is configured to seat within a side branch (14) of the bifurcated vessel (10) so as to acceptably cover a curvilinear ostium (16) defined at the intersection of the side branch (14) with a main branch (12) of the vessel (10). A stent deployment system includes a first guidewire (40) to be positioned in the vessel main branch (12) and a second guidewire (42) that in use extends through the main branch (12) and into the vessel side branch (14), wherein the intersection of the branches defines an ostium (16) having a three- dimensionally curvilinear shape, a balloon catheter (44) to be tracked along the second guidewire (42) to a position in the side branch proximate the ostium, and a contoured stent (20) disposed about the balloon (46) including a proximal end (26) that defines a curvilinear profile (30) approximately matching the curvilinear shape of the ostium (16).
Abstract:
A system for delivering a medical device, such as an angioplasty balloon, includes two catheter shafts. The distal portion of a first shaft includes a first balloon and is narrower than the proximal portion. A second catheter shaft includes a second balloon and is connected to a medial portion of the first shaft. The second shaft includes a guidewire passageway which is in communication with the passwageway of a third shaft that is removablly connected to the first shaft. The distal tips of the first and second balloons are connected together to allow the system to be advanced to an anatommical site using a single guidewire. A second guidewire may be used to separate the distal ends of the balloons and to position the balloons at vascular bifurcation. A stent can be crimped onto the balloons such that inflation of the balloons implants the stent within the bifurcation.
Abstract:
A stent delivery catheter system (10) for accurately positioning a stent in a bifurcated vessel is disclosed. The system includes a catheter (12) having a terminal portion and distal tip (16) that is placed in a main branch (42) of the vessel proximate the bifurcation (45). A fixed guidewire (26) is attached to distal tip (16). A port (22) is defined in the terminal portion of the catheter. The port is aligned with an ostium (46) of a side branch (44) of the bifurcated vessel to allow the passage of a stent delivery device, such as a balloon catheter (50) having a stent (54) crimped thereon, into the side branch (44). Radiopaque bands (24) are positioned on opposite ends of the port (22). A positioning balloon (18) is included on a surface of the catheter (12) opposite the port (22) and is selectively inflatable to position the radiopaque bands (24) adjacent the side branch ostium (46). The radiopaque bands (24) are referenced to place the stent proximate the side branch ostium (46).
Abstract:
Endoprosthesis, such as a stent, including at least one annular element, which further includes a foot extension extending between at least one pair of circumf erentially-adjacent strut members defined in the annular member. The foot extension has first and second foot portions extending circumferentially from corresponding ends of the circumf erentially-adjacent strut members, and are contoured to provide at least two areas of flexure . A plurality of annular elements are longitudinally aligned and connected at connection locations with connectors, wherein at least one of the connectors is constructed of a bio-absorbable material. A method of inserting a radiopaque marker having a first head on a first end of an endoprosthesis having at least one eyelet comprising: a) disposing said marker element within the eyelet. b) forming a second head on a second end of the marker element, said second head projecting above a second surface of the endoprosthesis.
Abstract:
A catheter tip (10) for attachement with an intravascular balloon catheter that is used within a body lumen is disclosed. The catheter tip includes a body portion (12) having a base (14) that is attached to the balloon catheter. The base defines a proximal end of the catheter tip (18A). A head (16) that is attached to the body portion defines a distal end (18B) of the catheter tip. An axial cavity (24), cooperatively defined by the body portion and the head, extends longitudinally from the proximal to the distal end of the catheter tip. The axial cavity receives a first guidewire along which the catheter is moved within the body lumen. An outer surface (32) of the head is shaped in a predetermined manner to control the magnitude of deflection of a second guidewire that is often twisted about the first guidewire in the lumen so as to prevent catheter obstruction by the guidewires during catheter procedures.