Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch and a side catheter branch. The main catheter branch includes a main balloon, a side balloon and a side inflation member. The side inflation member intersects the side balloon at a location on the side balloon that is offset laterally from a central line passing from a distal most point on the side balloon to a proximal most point on the side balloon. The side balloon is configured to extend radially outward relative to the main balloon when the side balloon is inflated. The side catheter branch can be centrally aligned with the side balloon central line and be positioned laterally adjacent to the side inflation lumen.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch and a side catheter branch. The main catheter branch includes a main balloon and a side balloon. The side catheter branch includes a transparent portion along at least a portion of a length of the side catheter branch. The transparent portion of the side catheter branch permits viewing of the side balloon through the transparent portion for alignment of the side balloon relative to the side catheter branch. The catheter assembly can further include a stent, wherein the stent includes a lateral branch opening. The transparent portion of the side catheter branch can also provide viewing of the side balloon through the side catheter branch to help align the side balloon with the lateral branch opening.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods having a main balloon, a branch balloon arrangement and a stent. The branch balloon arrangement can include a branch balloon and at least one orientation indicator. The orientation indicator can include visible markings on portions of the side balloon or on inflation segments coupled in fluid communication to the side balloon. The side balloon can have a specific color that is different from a color of the main balloon for improved visualization of the side balloon. The orientation indicator can be helpful in aligning the side balloon relative to features of the stent. The stent can include a side branch opening located between distal and proximal open ends of the stent.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods for preparing and assembling catheter assemblies. The catheter assembly includes main and side balloons. The main balloon includes side portions that are folded in opposite directions toward a bottom surface of the main balloon to place the main balloon in a folded state. The side balloon is typically positioned along a top surface of the main balloon. The folded balloons can be retained in a folded state with various retaining structures during further preparation and assembling of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the invention is directed to a stent having a tubular wall where at least a portion of the tubular wall comprises a bioabsorbable membrane. In the portion of the tubular wall containing the bioabsorbable membrane, the members (e.g. struts and connectors) of the stent are embedded in the bioabsorbable membrane. In at least one embodiment, the stent is also configured to elute a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods directed to a main balloon and a side balloon, wherein the side balloon is coupled in fluid communication with the main balloon at a location distal of the side balloon. In one example, a side inflation member couples the side balloon in fluid communication to the main balloon at a distal end portion of the main balloon. A side catheter branch of the catheter assembly, which defines a side guidewire lumen, can be operatively mounted to the side balloon at a side balloon connection point to help maintain alignment of the side catheter branch relative to the side balloon.

Abstract: An expandable bifurcated stent is formed of a main body and a first branch. The body wall is made up of interconnected stent members that define a plurality of cells, at least one of which is a side opening. The first branch body extends from the body wall from at least two regions adjacent the side opening. At least one stent member adjacent the perimeter is bioabsorbable.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods directed to stent delivery systems that include a stent and a catheter assembly having first and second balloons. The stent includes a side branch aperture and expandable structure defining the side branch aperture. The expandable structure is configured to move into a radial outward orientation relative to a sidewall of the stent. The portions of the first and second balloons are positioned within the stent in a generally coaxial arrangement with the first balloon extending distally from the distal open end of the stent and the second balloon extending proximally from the proximal open end of the stent. The expandable structure of the stent is moved towards the radial outward orientation by advancing the second balloon at least partially distally through the side branch aperture. In some arrangements, the second balloon is at least partially inflated when advanced through the side branch aperture.

Abstract: A stent crimping system and method for use in preparing a bifurcation catheter assembly for use in a patient. The catheter assembly includes main and side catheter branches and a stent. The stent includes a side branch aperture through which the side catheter branch extends. The stent is crimped onto the main and side catheter branches with a crimping mechanism in two crimping steps. In the first crimping step, only a distal end portion of the stent is crimped while the side catheter branch remains extending through the side branch opening of the stent and remains positioned outside of the crimping mechanism. In a second crimping step, the entire stent is crimped with the crimping mechanism.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the invention is directed to a stent having a tubular wall where at least a portion of the tubular wall comprises a bioabsorbable membrane. In the portion of the tubular wall containing the bioabsorbable membrane, the members (e.g. struts and connectors) of the stent are embedded in the bioabsorbable membrane. In at least one embodiment, the stent is also configured to elute a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: An expandable bifurcated stent is formed of a main body and a first branch. The body wall is made up of interconnected stent members that define a plurality of cells, at least one of which is a side opening. The first branch body extends from the body wall from at least two regions adjacent the side opening. At least one stent member adjacent the perimeter is bioabsorbable.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch and a side catheter branch. The main catheter branch includes first and second balloons. The side catheter branch is coupled to the second balloon. The side catheter branch can be coupled to the second balloon portion by passing through a pathway or receiver structure defined in the second balloon. The side catheter branch can also be coupled to the second balloon portion using a connector that connects the side catheter branch to a portion of the main catheter branch that carries the second balloon portion.

Abstract: A medical device having at least one static state, at least activated state, and at least one active region including electroactive polymer (EAP) capable of fine electro-activated movements. The EAP movements include bending components for proper alignment, rotating components for pooper fittings, making components more rigid or flexible, and increasing and decreasing the volume of components. The fine movements allow for highly versatile and adaptable medical devices.

Abstract: An expandable medical balloon having at least one static state, at least one expanded state, and at least one deflated state, the expandable medical balloon including at least one active region, the at least one active region including electroactive polymer.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for treatment of a vessel bifurcation. The catheter assembly is adapted for use with a single guidewire, wherein the guidewire is used to both position the catheter assembly within a main vessel of the vessel bifurcated and then be advanced into a branch vessel of the vessel bifurcated. A guidewire lumen of the catheter assembly is defined by a portion of a catheter shaft of the catheter assembly and a portion of a side catheter branch of the catheter assembly. The side catheter branch extends from a distal end of the catheter shaft at a proximal location and is connected at a distal location to a main catheter branch. After the catheter assembly has been advanced over the guidewire to a position within the main vessel at the vessel bifurcation, the guidewire is retracted, a portion of the side catheter branch is advanced into the branch vessel, and the guidewire is advanced into the branch vessel.

Abstract: A catheter system comprises a catheter comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion and an inner shaft. The inner shaft comprises a medical device receiving region for receiving and carrying a medical device. The retaining device is at least partially constructed of an electroactive polymer. The retaining device is located on or adjacent to the medical device receiving region. The electroactive polymer of the retaining device has an activated state and an inactivated state. The retaining device is capable of retaining a medical device to the catheter and releasing the medical device from the catheter by transitioning between the activated state and the inactivated state.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to balloon folding configurations and methods for catheter devices having dual lumens in radial proximity to the balloon, such as, but not limited to, self-aligning stent delivery systems for treatment of bifurcated lesions. The configuration designs alters the conventional catheter profile by packing balloon materials in otherwise vacant areas located on both sides of the side branch shaft and/or the parent shaft, such that the device takes on more of a round profile instead of the classical elongated egg-shaped profile.