Abstract: A stent delivery system configured to deliver a stent to a target region of a body lumen may include a catheter; a stent associated with the catheter, the stent having a first region and a second region; a balloon associated with the catheter, the balloon having a first balloon portion associated with the catheter proximate the first region of the stent and a second balloon portion associated with the catheter proximate the second region of the stent; and a sheath about the stent and the balloon, the sheath maintaining the stent in an undeployed configuration for delivery to a target region of a body lumen.

Abstract: A delivery system that includes a catheter, a balloon, a self-expanding prosthesis, and a sheath. The sheath including an opening in a wall of the sheath that initiates rupturing of the sheath so that the self-expanding prosthesis may move from its compressed state to its expanded state. Additionally, a distal end portion of the balloon that is distal to a distal end of the sheath includes an enlarged diameter portion, the enlarged diameter portion having approximately the same outer diameter as an outer diameter of the sheath when the self-expanding prosthesis is in its compressed state, and the enlarged diameter portion being the maximum outer diameter of the balloon when the self-expanding prosthesis is in its compressed state.

Abstract: A delivery system for a self-expandable prosthesis includes a catheter having a distal portion and a proximal portion, a balloon portion positioned on the distal portion, and a self expanding medical device positioned about the balloon portion. The medical device has a compressed state and an expanded state. A sheath couples the medical device in its compressed state about the balloon portion and has only a single opening in a wall of the sheath. When the balloon is expanded, the sheath is configured to (i) first rupture at the single opening, thereby allowing the medical device to self-expand and engage an inner wall of a vessel, and (ii) controllably continue the rupturing from the single opening to the proximal end of sheath, thereby allowing the medical device to expand to its expanded state and a portion of the medical device to engage an inner wall of the vessel.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a self-expanding medical device such as a stent. The delivery system includes a sheath profiled or shaped to reduce instances of interference between a distal edge of the sheath and a vessel or with any lesion or lesions that might be present in the vessel. The sheath is formed by modifying a cylinder of sheath material to include three portions and an initiation slit that controls the rupturing of the sheath to facilitate delivery of the medical device. The initiation slit is positioned on the delivery system with respect to a configuration of a balloon portion of the system.

Abstract: A stent delivery system configured to deliver a stent to a target region of a body lumen may include a catheter; a stent associated with the catheter, the stent having a first region and a second region; a balloon associated with the catheter, the balloon having a first balloon portion associated with the catheter proximate the first region of the stent and a second balloon portion associated with the catheter proximate the second region of the stent; and a sheath about the stent and the balloon, the sheath maintaining the stent in an undeployed configuration for delivery to a target region of a body lumen.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system provides for a two-stage withdrawal of a deflated balloon portion of a catheter and the remains of a ruptured sheath. The deflated balloon portion is withdrawn from within an expanded medical device a predetermined distance before the remains of the ruptured sheath begins being removed from between the expanded device and a vessel wall. Initiating removal of the deflated balloon portion before the sheath reduces a total amount of drag that is exerted against a self-expanding medical device that has been deployed in a vessel.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system includes a self-expanding medical device mounted on a balloon portion of a catheter. A sheath is provided around the medical device to hold the device in place with the device staying in a compressed state. The balloon portion is inflated to cause the sheath to rupture and release the self-expanding medical device. A number of radio-opaque markers in a pattern that will aid in determining whether or not the sheath has properly ruptured upon inflation of the balloon portion are provided on the sheath. The radio-opaque markers are positioned with respect to an expected sheath rupture propagation path along which the sheath is expected to rupture. The pattern of the markers changes as the sheath ruptures and this change is detected by an operator of the system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of coating an implantable device comprising applying a composition to the device in a predetermined pattern. The composition is then set to form a monolith. The composition applied can comprise a biodegradable polymer linked to a chemical moiety through a covalent bond, wherein the chemical moiety forms a pharmaceutically active agent upon degradation of the covalent bond.

Abstract: A device is provided for placement at a bifurcation of a vessel. The device comprises an anchor portion having a proximal end, a distal end, and an anchor body connecting the proximal and distal ends. The anchor body comprises a series of struts configured to provide a radial force to a wall of the vessel. A cap portion is positioned proximal to the anchor portion. A plurality of protruding elements for extension into an ostial region of the vessel are provided on the cap portion and at least one of the protruding elements is longer than at least another one of the protruding elements.

Abstract: An intraluminal device for placement in a side-branch vessel associated with a main vessel via an ostial region. The intraluminal device includes an anchor portion, a cap portion and an articulating module. The anchor portion of the device is placed in the side branch vessel and the cap portion includes multiple protruding elements which are configured to extend into the ostial region. The articulating module includes a body and connectors, configured to provide large angular shifts over short distances and to absorb a portion of force causing a linear movement of the cap portion toward the anchor portion.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a stent to a bifurcation in a vessel. The delivery system includes two guidewire lumens for directed the stent through the anatomy to the bifurcation. A main branch guidewire lumen has entry and exit ports that are positioned in order to limit how far the delivery system will be allowed into a side branch vessel. The orientation of the main branch guidewire lumen causes the delivery system to bind on the main branch guidewire as the system is positioned in the side branch. The location of the main branch guidewire lumen openings will physically limit the distance into the side branch that the stent will be placed.

Abstract: A delivery system for a self-expandable prosthesis includes a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a balloon positioned on the distal end of the catheter, a self-expandable prosthesis positioned on the balloon, and a sheath at least partially surrounding the self-expandable prosthesis. Upon inflation of the balloon, the sheath opens in a controllable manner, allowing the self-expandable prosthesis to be released. The sheath is either removed from the vessel or allowed to remain in the vessel.

Abstract: An intraluminal device for placement in a side-branch vessel associated with a main vessel via an ostial region. The intraluminal device includes a stem portion and a toroidal cap portion. The stem portion of the device is placed in the side branch vessel and the toroidal cap portion is placed adjacent to the ostial region.