Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for performing angioplasty and stenting with embolic protection. A catheter system includes an angioplasty balloon catheter, a balloon-expandable stent, an embolic protection device and a linking device. The catheter system has an undeployed configuration in which the balloon-expandable stent is mounted on the inflatable angioplasty balloon in an uninflated condition, the embolic protection member is positioned distally to the balloon-expandable stent and the angioplasty balloon, and the linking device is mounted on the catheter shaft of the angioplasty balloon catheter and the device shaft of the embolic protection device. The linking device prevents any relative longitudinal motion of the angioplasty balloon catheter and the embolic protection device, which might lead to accidental dislodgement of the balloon-expandable stent.

Abstract: A catheter system and method are described for stenting a vessel at a bifurcation or sidebranch of the vessel. The catheter system includes a first balloon catheter, a second balloon catheter and a releasable linking device for holding the first and second balloon catheters arranged in a side-by-side configuration and aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis. The linking device allows the catheter system to be advanced as a unit and helps prevent premature or inadvertent dislodgement of the stent from the catheters, yet is releasable so that one or both of the balloon catheters can be released from the linking device and maneuvered separately from the rest of the catheter system when desired. The method utilizes the described catheter system for stenting bifurcated vessels using a modified “kissing balloons” technique.

Abstract: A catheter system and method are described for stenting a vessel at a bifurcation or sidebranch of the vessel. The catheter system includes a first balloon catheter, a second balloon catheter and a releasable linking device for holding the first and second balloon catheters arranged in a side-by-side configuration and aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis. The linking device allows the catheter system to be advanced as a unit and helps prevent premature or inadvertent dislodgement of the stent from the catheters, yet is releasable so that one or both of the balloon catheters can be released from the linking device and maneuvered separately from the rest of the catheter system when desired. The method utilizes the described catheter system for stenting bifurcated vessels using a modified “kissing balloons” technique.

Abstract: A catheter system and method are described for stenting a vessel at a bifurcation or sidebranch of the vessel. The catheter system includes a first balloon catheter, a second balloon catheter and a releasable linking device for holding the first and second balloon catheters arranged in a side-by-side configuration and aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis so that the catheter system can be advanced as a unit. The catheter system is combined with drug eluting technology to prevent restenosis, inflammation and/or thrombosis and/or to promote reendothelialization in the vessel bifurcation. The main vessel stent and/or the sidebranch stent may be coated or impregnated with one or more drugs or bioactive substances. Alternatively or in addition, the first balloon and/or the second balloon may be coated with or include a mechanism for delivering one or more drugs or bioactive substances to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A stenting system includes a stent delivery catheter having a catheter shaft with a step balloon mounted thereon. The step balloon has a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion is inflatable to a larger expanded diameter than the distal portion. A two-part stent has a proximal part that is mounted on the proximal portion of the step balloon and a distal part that is mounted on the distal portion of the step balloon and a non-link zone between the proximal part and the distal part of the two-part stent. The proximal part and the distal part of the two-part stent are each configured with stent struts that extend like interdigitating fingers into the non-link zone to provide improved strut coverage in the carina region of the bifurcated vessel. The non-link zone effectively eliminates any difficulties in alignment of the two parts relative to one another during placement of the two-part stent in a bifurcated vessel.

Abstract: A catheter system and method are described for stenting a vessel at a bifurcation or sidebranch of the vessel. The catheter system includes a first balloon catheter, a second balloon catheter and a releasable linking device for holding the first and second balloon catheters arranged in a side-by-side configuration and aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis. The linking device allows the catheter system to be advanced as a unit and helps prevent premature or inadvertent dislodgement of the stent from the catheters, yet is releasable so that one or both of the balloon catheters can be released from the linking device and maneuvered separately from the rest of the catheter system when desired. The method utilizes the described catheter system for stenting bifurcated vessels using a modified “kissing balloons” technique.

Abstract: A catheter system is described for performing protected angioplasty and stenting of a patient's carotid bifurcation. A self-expanding stent is deployed across a stenosis in the patient's carotid artery. A catheter system that includes a rapid exchange angioplasty catheter with an occlusion balloon catheter positioned through the guidewire lumen is advanced through the guiding catheter to the distal end of the stent. A releasable linking device holds the catheter system together as a unit. The occlusion balloon is inflated within the stent to occlude the carotid artery and to prevent any embolic debris from traveling downstream from the treatment site. The angioplasty balloon is inflated to dilate the stenosis and to complete the expansion of the stent. The angioplasty catheter is withdrawn and any potential embolic debris is aspirated out through the lumen of the guiding catheter. The occlusion balloon is deflated and the catheter system is withdrawn.

Abstract: A catheter system and method are described for stenting a vessel at a bifurcation or sidebranch of the vessel. The catheter system includes a first balloon catheter, a second balloon catheter and a releasable linking device for holding the first and second balloon catheters arranged in a side-by-side configuration and aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis. The linking device allows the catheter system to be advanced as a unit and helps prevent premature or inadvertent dislodgement of the stent from the catheters, yet is releasable so that one or both of the balloon catheters can be released from the linking device and maneuvered separately from the rest of the catheter system when desired. The method utilizes the described catheter system for stenting bifurcated vessels using a modified “kissing balloons” technique.