Abstract: Inflation devices and methods for using them are provided for selectively inflating and deflating multiple balloons on a catheter. For example, the inflation device may include a first valve including a plurality of first valve ports and a first valve member movable between multiple positions for opening and closing fluid paths between the first valve ports, a second valve including a plurality of second valve ports and a second valve member movable between multiple positions for opening and closing fluid paths between the second valve ports, and an actuator coupled to the first and second valve members for directing the first and second valve members between multiple positions, e.g., to selectively pull vacuum and sequentially inflate the balloons.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for flaring a stent deployed within a branch vessel including an ostium communicating with a main vessel, a first end of the stent extending at least partially from the branch. A catheter is provided that includes a balloon having a reinforced region adjacent an unreinforced region. When the balloon is positioned at a desired location, e.g., within a stent, prosthetic valve, or other tubular prosthesis, the balloon may be inflated to a first pressure causing the reinforced and unreinforced regions to expand substantially simultaneously. Upon inflation of the balloon beyond the first pressure, the reinforced region of the balloon remains at the first diameter and the unreinforced region continues to expand, e.g., to flare one or more ends of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for flaring a stent deployed within a branch vessel including an ostium communicating with a main vessel, a first end of the stent extending at least partially from the branch. A catheter is provided that includes a first balloon carried on its distal end, and a second balloon that includes a distal section overlying at least a portion of the first balloon and a proximal section. The catheter distal end is introduced into the main vessel and positioned through the ostium and stent into the branch until the first balloon is disposed within the stent. The first balloon is expanded to anchor the stent, and the second balloon is expanded to flare the first end of the stent. Optionally, the first balloon is expanded further, e.g., to expand the stent within the branch body lumen and/or dilate the lesion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for flaring a stent deployed within a branch vessel including an ostium communicating with a main vessel, a first end of the stent extending at least partially from the branch. A catheter is provided that includes a first balloon carried on its distal end, and a second balloon that includes a distal section overlying at least a portion of the first balloon and a proximal section. The catheter distal end is introduced into the main vessel and positioned through the ostium and stent into the branch until the first balloon is disposed within the stent. The first balloon is expanded to anchor the stent, and the second balloon is expanded to flare the first end of the stent. Optionally, the first balloon is expanded further, e.g., to expand the stent within the branch body lumen and/or dilate the lesion.

Abstract: A catheter is provided that includes first and second balloons on a catheter shaft. The first balloon includes a cylindrical main section extending between first and second ends thereof defining a first interior communicating with an inflation lumen of the catheter shaft, and a second balloon including a first end attached to the catheter shaft adjacent the first end of the first balloon and a second end extending over the main section of the first balloon such that the second balloon defines a second interior. The first balloon includes openings in the membrane of the first balloon that are located within the second interior to allow inflation media delivered through the inflation lumen to enter the first interior to inflate the first balloon and pass through the one or more openings into the second interior to inflate the second balloon sequentially or simultaneously with the first balloon.

Abstract: Inflation devices and methods for using them are provided for selectively inflating and deflating multiple balloons on a catheter. For example, the inflation device may include a first valve including a plurality of first valve ports and a first valve member movable between multiple positions for opening and closing fluid paths between the first valve ports, a second valve including a plurality of second valve ports and a second valve member movable between multiple positions for opening and closing fluid paths between the second valve ports, and an actuator coupled to the first and second valve members for directing the first and second valve members between multiple positions, e.g., to selectively pull vacuum and sequentially inflate the balloons.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for flaring a stent deployed within a branch vessel including an ostium communicating with a main vessel, a first end of the stent extending at least partially from the branch. A catheter is provided that includes a balloon having a reinforced region adjacent an unreinforced region. When the balloon is positioned at a desired location, e.g., within a stent, prosthetic valve, or other tubular prosthesis, the balloon may be inflated to a first pressure causing the reinforced and unreinforced regions to expand substantially simultaneously. Upon inflation of the balloon beyond the first pressure, the reinforced region of the balloon remains at the first diameter and the unreinforced region continues to expand, e.g., to flare one or more ends of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for flaring a stent deployed within a branch vessel including an ostium communicating with a main vessel, a first end of the stent extending at least partially from the branch. A catheter is provided that includes a balloon having a reinforced region adjacent an unreinforced region. When the balloon is positioned at a desired location, e.g., within a stent, prosthetic valve, or other tubular prosthesis, the balloon may be inflated to a first pressure causing the reinforced and unreinforced regions to expand substantially simultaneously. Upon inflation of the balloon beyond the first pressure, the reinforced region of the balloon remains at the first diameter and the unreinforced region continues to expand, e.g., to flare one or more ends of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for flaring a stent deployed within a branch vessel including an ostium communicating with a main vessel, a first end of the stent extending at least partially from the branch. A catheter is provided that includes a first balloon carried on its distal end, and a second balloon that includes a distal section overlying at least a portion of the first balloon and a proximal section. The catheter distal end is introduced into the main vessel and positioned through the ostium and stent into the branch until the first balloon is disposed within the stent. The first balloon is expanded to anchor the stent, and the second balloon is expanded to flare the first end of the stent. Optionally, the first balloon is expanded further, e.g., to expand the stent within the branch body lumen and/or dilate the lesion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for flaring a stent deployed within a branch vessel including an ostium communicating with a main vessel, a first end of the stent extending at least partially from the branch. A catheter is provided that includes a balloon having a reinforced region adjacent an unreinforced region. When the balloon is positioned at a desired location, e.g., within a stent, prosthetic valve, or other tubular prosthesis, the balloon may be inflated to a first pressure causing the reinforced and unreinforced regions to expand substantially simultaneously. Upon inflation of the balloon beyond the first pressure, the reinforced region of the balloon remains at the first diameter and the unreinforced region continues to expand, e.g., to flare one or more ends of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for flaring a stent deployed within a branch vessel including an ostium communicating with a main vessel, a first end of the stent extending at least partially from the branch. A catheter is provided that includes a first balloon carried on its distal end, and a second balloon that includes a distal section overlying at least a portion of the first balloon and a proximal section. The catheter distal end is introduced into the main vessel and positioned through the ostium and stent into the branch until the first balloon is disposed within the stent. The first balloon is expanded to anchor the stent, and the second balloon is expanded to flare the first end of the stent. Optionally, the first balloon is expanded further, e.g., to expand the stent within the branch body lumen and/or dilate the lesion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for flaring a stent deployed within a branch vessel including an ostium communicating with a main vessel, a first end of the stent extending at least partially from the branch. A catheter is provided that includes a first balloon carried on its distal end, and a second balloon that includes a distal section overlying at least a portion of the first balloon and a proximal section. The catheter distal end is introduced into the main vessel and positioned through the ostium and stent into the branch until the first balloon is disposed within the stent. The first balloon is expanded to anchor the stent, and the second balloon is expanded to flare the first end of the stent. Optionally, the first balloon is expanded further, e.g., to expand the stent within the branch body lumen and/or dilate the lesion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for flaring a stent deployed within a branch vessel including an ostium communicating with a main vessel, a first end of the stent extending at least partially from the branch. A catheter is provided that includes a first balloon carried on its distal end, and a second balloon that includes a distal section overlying at least a portion of the first balloon and a proximal section. The catheter distal end is introduced into the main vessel and positioned through the ostium and stent into the branch until the first balloon is disposed within the stent. The first balloon is expanded to anchor the stent, and the second balloon is expanded to flare the first end of the stent. Optionally, the first balloon is expanded further, e.g., to expand the stent within the branch body lumen and/or dilate the lesion.

Abstract: Filter devices are provided, as well as apparatus, systems and methods for using such filter devices during a medical procedure within a patient's body. In one embodiment, a system includes a medical device including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a body lumen, and a filter device including an elongate member that, itself, includes a proximal end, a distal end, and an expandable filter on the distal. One or more features are provided on the elongate member for engaging an outer surface of the medical device, e.g., to slidably or fixedly mount the filter device onto the medical device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for flaring a stent deployed within a branch vessel including an ostium communicating with a main vessel, a first end of the stent extending at least partially from the branch. A catheter is provided that includes a first balloon carried on its distal end, and a second balloon that includes a distal section overlying at least a portion of the first balloon and a proximal section. The catheter distal end is introduced into the main vessel and positioned through the ostium and stent into the branch until the first balloon is disposed within the stent. The first balloon is expanded to anchor the stent, and the second balloon is expanded to flare the first end of the stent. Optionally, the first balloon is expanded further, e.g., to expand the stent within the branch body lumen and/or dilate the lesion.