Abstract: A catheter having a multi-chamber balloon which includes a first chamber having a globular configuration and an adjacent second chamber having a generally cylindrical body portion are sequentially inflatable so when employed to enlarge an opening through a stent deployed at a bifurcation the stent is supported around the circumference of the side-branch opening while the stent wall opening is being enlarged.

Abstract: A side branch stenting system using a catheter/stent assembly having a balloon with adjacent globular and cylindrical portions and a stent mounted thereon over the cylindrical portion The stent has finger-like projections mounted over portion of the globular portion of the balloon. At a bifurcation site with another stent in place in the main vessel and having an opening into a side branch, the catheter/stent assembly is placed in the side branch and inflated. The cylindrical portion of the balloon expands the main stent body in the side vessel. The globular portion of the balloon inflates in the main vessel, constraining the main vessel and bending the finger-like projections around the circumference of the opening into the side branch.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods having a main balloon, a branch balloon arrangement and a stent. The catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch, a side catheter branch arrangement, and a stent. The main catheter branch includes at least a main balloon and a side balloon. The side catheter branch arrangement includes a branch guidewire housing and a sleeve member. At least a portion of the side catheter branch arrangement extends through a proximal open end of the stent and out through a side branch aperture of the stent. The branch guidewire housing defines a side branch lumen configured to advance over a branch vessel guidewire. The sleeve member is sized to receive the branch guidewire housing, wherein the branch guidewire housing is axially movable within the sleeve member. The sleeve member is typically fixed axially relative to the main catheter branch.

Abstract: A stent has a substantially cylindrical tubular body with at least one expandable side branch that has a plurality of members. The plurality of members includes at least one first member having a first width and at least one second member having a second width, where the first width is greater than the second width. Each of the at least one first members and each of the at least one second members define a cell that has at least two stable cell geometries.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods for carrying and manipulation of bottles are presented herein. The apparatus may include a closure that may be sealably secured to a bottle. The apparatus may further include a movable handle attached to the closure with portions of the movable handle received in a recess defined by the bottle. The movable handle may be locatable between at least a first position and a second position. The methods may include providing a closure and a movable handle, attaching the movable handle to the closure, and locating the movable handle in at least the first position and the second position.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a stent comprises a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell. The inner side branch cell has a shape that is different from any other cell of the stent. The stent further comprises first and second support members, which are positioned on opposite sides of the side branch structure. The first and second support members each have a strut width that is greater than the width of a strut included in the side branch structure. The stent further comprises first and second connecting members, which are positioned on opposite ends of the side branch structure. Each connecting member is connected at one end to the first support member and is connected at the other end to the second support member. Each connecting member comprises a serpentine structure having a plurality of straight struts and turns. One or both of the connecting members includes at least one straight strut that has a length that is at least ten times its width.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods having a main balloon, a branch balloon arrangement and a stent. The catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch, a side catheter branch arrangement, and a stent. The main catheter branch includes at least a main balloon and a side balloon. The side catheter branch arrangement includes a branch guidewire housing and a sleeve member. At least a portion of the side catheter branch arrangement extends through a proximal open end of the stent and out through a side branch aperture of the stent. The branch guidewire housing defines a side branch lumen configured to advance over a branch vessel guidewire. The sleeve member is sized to receive the branch guidewire housing, wherein the branch guidewire housing is axially movable within the sleeve member. The sleeve member is typically fixed axially relative to the main catheter branch.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent that is positionable adjacent to a branched body vessel. The stent includes a number of stent members at least some of which have slits extending through them. The slits are positioned relative to the tensile and compressive forces imposed by stent expansion to enhance the flexibility of the stent members. The slits can be positioned to increase stent compression about a catheter, increase how far the stent can be bent during catheter deployment, and allow specific portions of the stent to have improved flexibility. The slits can allow the stent to assume a bent shape, and compensate for rigidity imposed the bifurcating side branch. The slits can be combined with curved sections to create a highly flexibly stent.

Abstract: A stent has a substantially cylindrical tubular body with at least one expandable side branch that has a plurality of members. The plurality of members includes at least one first member having a first width and at least one second member having a second width, where the first width is greater than the second width. Each of the at least one first members and each of the at least one second members define a cell that has at least two stable cell geometries.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a stent comprises a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell. The inner side branch cell has a shape that is different from any other cell of the stent. The stent further comprises first and second support members, which are positioned on opposite sides of the side branch structure. The first and second support members each have a strut width that is greater than the width of a strut included in the side branch structure. The stent further comprises first and second connecting members, which are positioned on opposite ends of the side branch structure. Each connecting member is connected at one end to the first support member and is connected at the other end to the second support member. Each connecting member comprises a serpentine structure having a plurality of straight struts and turns. One or both of the connecting members includes at least one straight strut that has a length that is at least ten times its width.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods for carrying and manipulation of bottles are presented herein. The apparatus may include a closure that may be sealably secured to a bottle. The apparatus may further include a movable handle attached to the closure with portions of the movable handle received in a recess defined by the bottle. The movable handle may be locatable between at least a first position and a second position. The methods may include providing a closure and a movable handle, attaching the movable handle to the closure, and locating the movable handle in at least the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A side branch stenting system using a catheter/stent assembly having a balloon with adjacent globular and cylindrical portions and a stent mounted thereon over the cylindrical portion The stent has finger-like projections mounted over portion of the globular portion of the balloon. At a bifurcation site with another stent in place in the main vessel and having an opening into a side branch, the catheter/stent assembly is placed in the side branch and inflated. The cylindrical portion of the balloon expands the main stent body in the side vessel. The globular portion of the balloon inflates in the main vessel, constraining the main vessel and bending the finger-like projections around the circumference of the opening into the side branch.

Abstract: A catheter having a multi-chamber balloon which includes a first chamber having a globular configuration and an adjacent second chamber having a generally cylindrical body portion are sequentially inflatable so when employed to enlarge an opening through a stent deployed at a bifurcation the stent is supported around the circumference of the side-branch opening while the stent wall opening is being enlarged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and associated methods for carrying and manipulation of bottles. The apparatus may include a closure that may be sealably secured to a bottle. The apparatus may further include a movable handle attached to the closure. The movable handle may be positionable between at least a first position and a second position. The methods may include providing a closure and a movable handle, attaching the movable handle to the closure, and positioning the movable handle in at least the first position and the second position.