Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an angioplasty of a patient's carotid artery includes a placement of a first elongated positioning catheter having a lumen and proximal and distal end portions within a patient's body so that the distal end portion of the positioning catheter occupies a position within the patient's aorta next to the patient's selected carotid artery. The distal end portion of the positioning catheter is curved with a radius of curvature of about 2 cm, for example, and provides a soft distal tip. Using fluoroscopy, a user can manipulate, rotate, and position the positioning catheter until the distal tip enters the carotid artery. A guide wire is then advanced through the lumen of the positioning catheter until the free end portion of the wire reaches the distal tip of the positioning catheter and enters the selected carotid artery. A second catheter is advanced over the positioning catheter, the second catheter being a guiding catheter having a distal end portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an angioplasty of a patient's carotid artery includes a placement of a first elongated positioning catheter having a lumen and proximal and distal end portions within a patient's body so that the distal end portion of the positioning catheter occupies a position within the patient's aorta next to the patient's selected carotid artery. The distal end portion of the positioning catheter is curved with a radius of curvature of about 2 cm, for example, and provides a soft distal tip. Using fluoroscopy, a user can manipulate, rotate, and position the positioning catheter until the distal tip enters the carotid artery. A guide wire is then advanced through the lumen of the positioning catheter until the free end portion of the wire reaches the distal tip of the positioning catheter and enters the selected carotid artery. A second catheter is advanced over the positioning catheter, the second catheter being a guiding catheter having a distal end portion.

Abstract: An method for implanting a coiled prosthesis within a body passageway having a longitudinally extending central axis first places a coiled prosthesis upon a catheter in a coiled, smaller diameter configuration. The prosthesis and catheter are inserted into the body passageway by catheterization of the body passageway. The prosthesis is expanded in order to unwind the coiled ring prosthesis to a larger diameter configuration that has a diameter larger than the smaller diameter configuration of the prosthesis initially. The prosthesis forms an annular ring having spaced apart first and second annular surfaces. The body passageway is supported in a direction away from the annular ring and along the passageway wall with multiple, longitudinally extending strut support members that each extend away from the ring, and each of which extends partially circumferentially around the passageway. After the prosthesis has been expanded, the catheter is withdrawn from the body passageway.

Abstract: A guiding catheter exchange device allows the exchange of a coronary guiding catheter while the coronary guide wire is left in place across an obstruction in the coronary artery. In performing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, a guiding catheter is placed selectively into either the right or left coronary artery. The guide wire is advanced down the coronary artery and across the obstruction. The exchange device of the present invention allows the guiding catheter to be exchanged and while the wire is still in position across the obstruction. The exchange device has a short bore at its distal end portion which allows the exchange device to be routed into the patient's artery upon the coronary guide wire. The exchange device then provides adequate structure and support for exchanging different size guiding catheters.