Abstract: A catheter system comprises a catheter having an elongate catheter shaft such that a portion of the catheter shaft proximal a stent retaining region defines at least one bend that is bent around the longitudinal axis of a vessel. The catheter also has a side branch guidewire housing, defining a side branch guidewire lumen, and a side branch guidewire that extends through the side branch guidewire lumen.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods include first and second catheter branches that are configured to travel over separate guidewires to a vessel bifurcation treatment site within a patient. The catheter branches can each include a plurality of markers. The position of markers on one catheter branch relative to the position of markers on the other catheter branch provide a visual indication of relative twist between the catheter branches, can help distinguish one catheter branch from the other, and help with visual alignment of the catheter branches relative to the vessel bifurcation.

Abstract: A variable hemostasis valve is disclosed that may be used during medical procedures to prevent blood loss while permitting the percutaneous introduction, operation, and removal of medical instruments. A flexible tubular seal element is disclosed that is disposed within the variable hemostasis valve to provide a fluid-tight, adjustable seal. After insertion of a medical instrument into the valve through at least a portion of the flexible tubular seal element, a proximal portion of the valve housing may be rotated to cause the tension of the flexible tubular seal element to increase over the inserted medical instrument and engage the valve in a closed position. The proximal portion of the valve housing may then be rotated in an opposite direction to release the seal and return the tubular seal element to a relaxed lumen open position.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a main balloon arranged to reside within the main vessel, and a branch balloon configured to extend from the main vessel into the branch vessel. A stent may be situated around the main balloon and may include a branch aperture at a location between proximal and distal open ends of the stent. The branch balloon may extend from within the stent, through the branch aperture, and into the branch vessel. The branch balloon, when inflated, may extend into the branch vessel. The main balloon, when inflated, may also expand the stent within the main vessel. In some arrangements, the branch balloon, when inflated, can function as an anchor within the branch vessel that resists radial and axial movement of the stent relative to the branch vessel and main vessel during expansion of the stent by the main balloon.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods directed to stent edge protection for an edge of a stent. One example stent edge protect member is positioned with a distal end portion of the stent edge protect member arranged proximal of and adjacent to a proximal end of the stent. The stent edge protect member defines an outer surface that transitions from an outer surface of the stent at the proximal end of the stent to an outer surface of the catheter branch on which the stent edge protect member is positioned. The stent edge protect member can be positioned on a single catheter branch or multiple catheter branches.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for treatment of a vessel bifurcation. The catheter assembly is adapted for use with a single guidewire, wherein the guidewire is used to both position the catheter assembly within a main vessel of the vessel bifurcated and then be advanced into a branch vessel of the vessel bifurcated. A guidewire lumen of the catheter assembly is defined by a portion of a catheter shaft of the catheter assembly and a portion of a side catheter branch of the catheter assembly. The side catheter branch extends from a distal end of the catheter shaft at a proximal location and is connected at a distal location to a main catheter branch. After the catheter assembly has been advanced over the guidewire to a position within the main vessel at the vessel bifurcation, the guidewire is retracted, a portion of the side catheter branch is advanced into the branch vessel, and the guidewire is advanced into the branch vessel.

Abstract: One embodiment is a medical device comprising an elongate catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough and a tip disposed at the distal end of the elongate catheter, the tip extending distally of the distal end of the catheter, the tip comprising a soft body portion and a rigid ring distal the soft body portion.

Abstract: A catheter system comprises a catheter having an elongate catheter shaft such that a portion of the catheter shaft proximal a stent retaining region defines at least one bend that is bent around the longitudinal axis of a vessel. The catheter also has a side branch guidewire housing, defining a side branch guidewire lumen, and a side branch guidewire that extends through the side branch guidewire lumen.

Abstract: One embodiment is a medical device comprising an elongate catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough and a tip disposed at the distal end of the elongate catheter, the tip extending distally of the distal end of the catheter, the tip comprising a soft body portion and a rigid ring distal the soft body portion.

Abstract: A catheter system comprises a catheter having an elongate catheter shaft such that a portion of the catheter shaft proximal a stent retaining region defines at least one bend that is bent around the longitudinal axis of a vessel. The catheter also has a side branch guidewire housing, defining a side branch guidewire lumen, and a side branch guidewire that extends through the side branch guidewire lumen.

Abstract: This invention relates to medical systems and related components and methods. In some embodiments, the systems include a sleeve configured to be disposed between an adaptor and a catheter assembly including an outer sheath surrounding an inner member.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a catheter having a retractable outer sheath and a rolling membrane. The catheter includes a catheter inner shaft about which a stent in a reduced diameter configuration may be disposed. A stent retaining region of the sheath is disposed about the stent to retain the stent in the reduced diameter state prior to delivery. The rolling membrane is engaged to a portion of the outer sheath at an engagement region. The rolling membrane is positioned between the catheter inner shaft and the outer sheath and prior to retraction of the sheath the rolling membrane is disposed about at least a proximal section of the stent and is rollingly retracted therefrom when the sheath is retracted to deliver the stent. The device also recaptures a stent by pressurizing a intra-catheter space, which results in the longitudinal movement of the outer sheath in a distal direction to recover and retain the stent.

Abstract: A medical device may comprise a body portion and an outwardly deployable side branch structure, and may be formed from a first stent and a second stent. In some embodiments, the first stent and second stent may be connected by at least one connection. At least a portion of the second stent may be oriented within the first stent and may be coaxially aligned with the first stent. Either stent may include the side branch structure, and the stent not having side branch structure may include a side branch opening. The first and second stents may overlap at various locations to provide additional vessel support.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a catheter having a retractable outer sheath and a rolling membrane. The catheter includes a catheter inner shaft about which a stent in a reduced diameter configuration may be disposed. A stent retaining region of the sheath is disposed about the stent to retain the stent in the reduced diameter state prior to delivery. The rolling membrane is engaged to a portion of the outer sheath at an engagement region. The rolling membrane is positioned between the catheter inner shaft and the outer sheath and prior to retraction of the sheath the rolling membrane is disposed about at least a proximal section of the stent and is rollingly retracted therefrom when the sheath is retracted to deliver the stent. The device also recaptures a stent by pressurizing a intra-catheter space, which results in the longitudinal movement of the outer sheath in a distal direction to recover and retain the stent.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods directed to stent edge protection for an edge of a stent. One example stent edge protect member is positioned with a distal end portion of the stent edge protect member arranged proximal of and adjacent to a proximal end of the stent. The stent edge protect member defines an outer surface that transitions from an outer surface of the stent at the proximal end of the stent to an outer surface of the catheter branch on which the stent edge protect member is positioned. The stent edge protect member can be positioned on a single catheter branch or multiple catheter branches.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a catheter having a retractable outer sheath and a rolling membrane. The catheter includes a catheter inner shaft about which a stent in a reduced diameter configuration may be disposed. A stent retaining region of the sheath is disposed about the stent to retain the stent in the reduced diameter state prior to delivery. The rolling membrane is engaged to a portion of the outer sheath at an engagement region. The rolling membrane is positioned between the catheter inner shaft and the outer sheath and prior to retraction of the sheath the rolling membrane is disposed about at least a proximal section of the stent and is rollingly retracted therefrom when the sheath is retracted to deliver the stent. The device also recaptures a stent by pressurizing a intra-catheter space, which results in the longitudinal movement of the outer sheath in a distal direction to recover and retain the stent.

Abstract: Guidewires and design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for the same. An example method for advancing a guidewire to a target site in the anatomy of a patient may include providing the guidewire and advancing the guidewire through a blood vessel to a position adjacent the target site. Advancing the guidewire through a blood vessel may include disposing the hinge portion across a bifurcation in the blood vessel. The guidewire may have a proximal end and a distal end. The guidewire may include an elongate tubular member including a proximal portion, a distal portion extending to the distal end of the guidewire, and a hinge portion disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The proximal portion may have a plurality of slots formed therein and a first lateral flexibility. The distal portion may have a plurality of slots formed therein and a second lateral flexibility.

Abstract: A catheter assembly may include a main balloon arranged to reside within the main vessel, and a branch balloon configured to extend from the main vessel into the branch vessel. A stent may be situated around the main balloon and may include a branch aperture at a location between proximal and distal open ends of the stent. The branch balloon may extend from within the stent, through the branch aperture, and into the branch vessel. The branch balloon, when inflated, may extend into the branch vessel. The main balloon, when inflated, may also expand the stent within the main vessel. In some arrangements, the branch balloon, when inflated, can function as an anchor within the branch vessel that resists radial and axial movement of the stent relative to the branch vessel and main vessel during expansion of the stent by the main balloon.

Abstract: This invention relates to medical systems and related components and methods. In some embodiments, the systems include a sleeve configured to be disposed between an adaptor and a catheter assembly including an outer sheath surrounding an inner member.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a catheter, a retractable sheath, and a rolling membrane. The catheter includes a catheter shaft about which a stent in a reduced diameter configuration may be disposed. A stent retaining region of the sheath is disposed about the stent to retain the stent in the reduced diameter state prior to delivery. The rolling membrane is engaged to a portion of the sheath at an engagement region. The rolling membrane is positioned between the catheter shaft and the sheath and prior to retraction of the sheath the rolling membrane is disposed about at least a proximal section of the stent and is rollingly retracted therefrom when the sheath is retracted to deliver the stent.