Abstract: Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using stent structures comprising a plurality of radially expansible rings where at least some of the rings comprise axially extending elements which interleave with axially extending elements on adjacent unconnected rings. The ring structures may be open cell structures or closed cell structures, and the axially extending elements will typically be formed as part of the open cell or closed cell structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides exemplary apparatus, systems and methods for accurately delivering and positioning a stent within a body lumen, particularly within a bifurcated body lumen. In one embodiment, a stent delivery system (100) includes a catheter (15) comprising a catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis (200) and a lumen. An expansion device, which in one embodiment is a balloon (20), is disposed near the catheter body distal end, and a stent (10) having a side hole (12) is disposed over the expansion device. An ultrasound transducer (22) is disposed near the catheter body distal end and positioned for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals through the side hole to help properly align the stent side hole with a branch vessel (16).

Abstract: A system and method for delivering and positioning a stent within a bifurcated body lumen includes a stent delivery system including a catheter, expansion device, a stent with a side hole disposed on the expansion device, and an ultrasound transducer disposed between the expansion device and the stent. The ultrasound transducer is configured for transmitting and receiving signals and for imaging of a body lumen so as to locate an ostium of a branch vessel and facilitate alignment of the stent side hole with the ostium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for deploying a stent (20) in a bifurcated body lumen (10). The stent comprises a tubular body defining a lumen therethrough and having a side hole. The tubular body has a first portion (28) with a first wall mass and a second portion (26) with a second wall mass. The first wall mass is less than the second wall mass. When deployed, first portions of two stents overlap in a bifurcated body lumen. The side holes of the two stents are aligned with ostium of branch vessels (14, 16) at a bifurcated body lumen.