Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcation includes first and second delivery catheters, each having an expandable member and a stent. The stent on the second delivery catheter has a side hole. A portion of the first delivery catheter is disposed under a portion of the stent on second delivery catheter. The first delivery catheter is slidable relative to the second delivery catheter, and the first delivery catheter passes through the side hole.

Abstract: A crimping method that crimps a stent over multiple catheters. The method includes differentially crimping a stent on certain portions of a balloon catheter so that a second catheter can be threaded through the uncrimped portion of the stent and exit through the links of a conventional stent design or through a specific hole in the stent designed for a branched vessel.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcation includes first and second delivery catheters. The first catheter has a first shaft, a first expandable member adjacent the distal end of the first shaft, an auxiliary expandable member disposed under the first expandable member, and a first radially expandable stent disposed over both the first expandable member and the auxiliary expandable member. The second delivery catheter has a second shaft, and a second expandable member adjacent the distal end of the second shaft. A portion of the second catheter is disposed under a portion of the first stent, and a portion of the second delivery catheter passes through a side hole in the first stent. The first stent is crimped over the first and second catheters such that the first stent remains attached to the first and the second catheters during advancement of the catheters through a blood vessel.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcated vessel that includes a first delivery catheter and a second delivery catheter. The first delivery catheter carries a proximal first stent and a distal second stent. The first delivery catheter also has a first elongate shaft, a proximal first expandable member with the proximal first stent disposed thereover, and a distal second expandable member with the distal second stent disposed thereover. The proximal first expandable member and distal second expandable member are independently expandable of one another. The second delivery catheter carries a third stent. The second delivery catheter also has a second elongate shaft, and a third expandable member with the third stent disposed thereover. The third expandable member is independently expandable of the proximal first expandable member and the distal second expandable member.

Abstract: A system and method for a stent delivery system, the delivery system having a catheter and a balloon coupled to a distal portion of the catheter. The catheter with the radially expandable member is inserted into a cavity in a mold. Heat and pressure are applied for a period of time which inflates the balloon and imparts a shape memory to a portion of the balloon. The balloon is removed from the cavity of the mold with a shape memory.

Abstract: Methods for crimping a stent on an expandable member of a delivery catheter, and devices and methods for treating a bifurcation are disclosed. A method for crimping includes positioning a stent having a first portion and a second portion over the expandable member, and non-uniformly crimping the stent to the expandable member. The method can include routing an elongate shaft under the second portion of the stent and through the side hole so as to be routed external to the first portion. The stent second portion can be crimped so that the elongate shaft can be slidably disposed relative to the stent second portion prior to deployment of the stent.

Abstract: An elongate shaft management device has an upper plate and a lower plate. The lower plate has at least one groove that is sized to receive the elongate shaft. The at least one groove in the lower plate cooperates with the upper plate to capture the elongate shaft and prevent movement of the elongate shaft. The upper plate is releasably coupled to the lower plate to provide access to the elongate shaft and allow it to be manipulated.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcation includes a first radially expandable stent and a second radially expandable stent. The first stent has a side hole and a plurality of lateral elements extending from the side hole. The second stent has a plurality of axial elements extending away from the proximal end of the second stent. The axial elements of the second stent interdigitate with the lateral elements of the first stent when both stents have been expanded.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcation includes first and second delivery catheters. The first catheter has a first shaft, a first expandable member adjacent the distal end of the first shaft, an auxiliary expandable member disposed under the first expandable member, and a first radially expandable stent disposed over both the first expandable member and the auxiliary expandable member. The second delivery catheter has a second shaft, and a second expandable member adjacent the distal end of the second shaft. A portion of the second catheter is disposed under a portion of the first stent, and a portion of the second delivery catheter passes through a side hole in the first stent. The first stent is crimped over the first and second catheters such that the first stent remains attached to the first and the second catheters during advancement of the catheters through a blood vessel.

Abstract: A crimping method that crimps a stent over multiple catheters. The method includes differentially crimping a stent on certain portions of a balloon catheter so that a second catheter can be threaded through the uncrimped portion of the stent and exit through the links of a conventional stent design or through a specific hole in the stent designed for a branched vessel.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcation includes first and second delivery catheters, each having an expandable member and a stent. The stent on the second delivery catheter has a side hole. A portion of the first delivery catheter is disposed under a portion of the stent on second delivery catheter. The first delivery catheter is slidable relative to the second delivery catheter, and the first delivery catheter passes through the side hole.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcation includes a first radially expandable stent and a second radially expandable stent. The first stent has a side hole and a plurality of lateral elements extending from the side hole. The second stent has a plurality of axial elements extending away from the proximal end of the second stent. The axial elements of the second stent interdigitate with the lateral elements of the first stent when both stents have been expanded.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcated vessel that includes a first delivery catheter and a second delivery catheter. The first delivery catheter carries a proximal first stent and a distal second stent. The first delivery catheter also has a first elongate shaft, a proximal first expandable member with the proximal first stent disposed thereover, and a distal second expandable member with the distal second stent disposed thereover. The proximal first expandable member and distal second expandable member are independently expandable of one another. The second delivery catheter carries a third stent. The second delivery catheter also has a second elongate shaft, and a third expandable member with the third stent disposed thereover. The third expandable member is independently expandable of the proximal first expandable member and the distal second expandable member.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcation includes first and second delivery catheters. The first catheter has a first shaft, a first expandable member adjacent the distal end of the first shaft, an auxiliary expandable member disposed under the first expandable member, and a first radially expandable stent disposed over both the first expandable member and the auxiliary expandable member. The second delivery catheter has a second shaft, and a second expandable member adjacent the distal end of the second shaft. A portion of the second catheter is disposed under a portion of the first stent, and a portion of the second delivery catheter passes through a side hole in the first stent. The first stent is crimped over the first and second catheters such that the first stent remains attached to the first and the second catheters during advancement of the catheters through a blood vessel.

Abstract: Methods for crimping a stent on an expandable member of a delivery catheter, and devices and methods for treating a bifurcation are disclosed. A method for crimping includes positioning a stent having a first portion and a second portion over the expandable member, and non-uniformly crimping the stent to the expandable member. The method can include routing an elongate shaft under the second portion of the stent and through the side hole so as to be routed external to the first portion. The stent second portion can be crimped so that the elongate shaft can be slidably disposed relative to the stent second portion prior to deployment of the stent.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcation includes first and second delivery catheters, each having an expandable member and a stent. The stent on the second delivery catheter has a side hole. A portion of the first delivery catheter is disposed under a portion of the stent on second delivery catheter. The first delivery catheter is slidable relative to the second delivery catheter, and the first delivery catheter passes through the side hole.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcation includes a first radially expandable stent and a second radially expandable stent. The first stent has a side hole and a plurality of lateral elements extending from the side hole. The second stent has a plurality of axial elements extending away from the proximal end of the second stent. The axial elements of the second stent interdigitate with the lateral elements of the first stent when both stents have been expanded.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcation includes a first radially expandable stent and a second radially expandable stent. The first stent has a side hole and a plurality of lateral elements extending from the side hole. The second stent has a plurality of axial elements extending away from the proximal end of the second stent. The axial elements of the second stent interdigitate with the lateral elements of the first stent when both stents have been expanded.

Abstract: A crimping method that crimps a stent over multiple catheters. The method includes differentially crimping a stent on certain portions of a balloon catheter so that a second catheter can be threaded through the uncrimped portion of the stent and exit through the links of a conventional stent design or through a specific hole in the stent designed for a branched vessel.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcation includes first and second delivery catheters, each having an expandable member. A stent having a side hole is disposed on the second delivery catheter. A portion of the first delivery catheter is disposed under a portion of the stent. The first delivery catheter is slidable relative to the second delivery catheter, and the first delivery catheter passes through the side hole. Expansion of the first expandable member expands a portion of the stent and expansion of the second expandable member expands the rest of the stent.