Abstract: A system for performing angioplasty and a method of utilizing same are provided. The system includes a balloon mounted on a catheter shaft and an expandable constraining structure mounted over the balloon. The expandable constraining structure includes a plurality of axial struts crossing a plurality of radially-expandable rings being for constraining said balloon such that isolated balloon regions protrude through openings in said constraining structure when the balloon is inflated.

Abstract: An angioplasty balloon having an elastic constraining structure that partially expands with the balloon so that, at maximum balloon inflation, the constraining structure forms a pattern of channels or “pillows” on the balloon.

Abstract: A constraining structure for use with a balloon catheter can include multiple longitudinal struts and multiple, sinusoidal shaped radial rings. The constraining structure can expand to form a pattern of channels including substantially square windows. The constraining structure can modify, restrict, and control a shape and/or size of the balloon when inflated. Inflating the balloon catheter within the constraining structure can provide nonuniform pressure on a vessel wall adjacent the balloon.

Abstract: A constraining structure for use with a balloon catheter includes multiple longitudinal struts and multiple expandable radial rings. The constraining structure can expand radially but may not expand substantially in the longitudinal direction. The constraining structure can have multiple compartments configured to expand independently of one another. Inflating the balloon catheter within the constraining structure can allow for dilation of the blood vessel in a pre determined topography.

Abstract: A balloon catheter capable of delivering torque and pushing through obstructions includes a relatively weak balloon segment of a catheter and rotatable asymmetric tip. A reinforcement sleeve increases column strength and torque transmission to push the balloon and rotate the tip to facilitate passage through said obstructions. The tip is preferably asymmetric around its axis, usually being beveled, and the reinforcement slide includes a slide lock mechanism which increases shaft flexibility after balloon deployment.

Abstract: A balloon catheter capable of delivering torque and pushing through obstructions includes a relatively weak balloon segment of a catheter and rotatable asymmetric tip. A reinforcement sleeve increases column strength and torque transmission to push the balloon and rotate the tip to facilitate passage through said obstructions. The tip is preferably asymmetric around its axis, usually being beveled, and the reinforcement slide includes a slide lock mechanism which increases shaft flexibility after balloon deployment.

Abstract: A system for performing angioplasty and a method of utilizing same are provided. The system includes a balloon mounted on a catheter shaft and an expandable constraining structure mounted over the balloon. The expandable constraining structure includes a plurality of axial struts crossing a plurality of radially-expandable rings being for constraining said balloon such that isolated balloon regions protrude through openings in said constraining structure when the balloon is inflated.

Abstract: Veins and other blood vessels may be reshaped by introducing an implant through the vessel walls with anchors positioned on opposite sides of the wall. The anchors typically include an elongate body having coils or other anchors formed therein. The implants may be delivered percutaneously using a cannula which can hold the anchor externally or internally. The methods and devices are useful in treating a dorsal vein to reduce blood flow in patients suffering from erectile dysfunction.

Abstract: An angioplasty balloon having an elastic constraining structure that partially expands with the balloon so that, at maximum balloon inflation, the constraining structure forms a pattern of channels or “pillows” on the balloon.

Abstract: A balloon catheter capable of delivering torque and pushing through obstructions includes a relatively weak balloon segment of a catheter and rotatable asymmetric tip. A reinforcement sleeve increases column strength and torque transmission to push the balloon and rotate the tip to facilitate passage through said obstructions. The tip is preferably asymmetric around its axis, usually being beveled, and the reinforcement slide includes a slide lock mechanism which increases shaft flexibility after balloon deployment.

Abstract: A constraining structure for use with a balloon catheter can include multiple longitudinal struts and multiple, sinusoidal shaped radial rings. The constraining structure can expand to form a pattern of channels including substantially square windows. The constraining structure can modify, restrict, and control a shape and/or size of the balloon when inflated. Inflating the balloon catheter within the constraining structure can provide nonuniform pressure on a vessel wall adjacent the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for placement of a stent in a bifurcation or ostial lesion. The stent comprises a main body and a flaring portion. The main body is designed to expand and support a main vessel while the flaring portion deploys at least partially in response to expansion of the main body and is designed to open into and support a side branch or bifurcation ostium area. The stent may also comprise a therapeutic agent which can be delivered to a blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for placement of a stent in a bifurcation or ostial lesion. The stent comprises a main body and a flaring portion. The main body is designed to expand and support a main vessel of the bifurcation and defines a main body axis. The flaring portion is disposed on a side of the main body and is adapted to flare radially and offset the main body axis in response to expansion of the main body. The flaring portion comprises at least one distal wing and at least one proximal wing. Each wing is aligned along the main body axis. The at least one proximal wing is longer than the at least one distal wing, providing greater coverage of the proximal side of the side vessel than on the distal surface of the side vessel.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter structure includes a beveled distal tip, a reinforced distal portion, and an elastic or split sleeve over at least a portion of the balloon. The balloon may have a short length and a marker at its midline. The catheters are particularly useful for crossing through stent walls at vessel bifurcations.

Abstract: Angioplasty and other dilatation devices are provided with scoring elements which incorporate a drug to be delivered to a body lumen, typically a blood vessel. The non-cutting scoring elements have drugs and other active substances coated over a portion thereof or incorporated within internal structure of the element so that the drug is released into the luminal wall closely associated diseased regions of the body lumen as the non-cutting scoring structure is radially expanded into the wall.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter comprises a catheter body having a balloon or other radially expandable shell at its distal end. A non-axial external structure is carried over the shell and scores a stenosed region in a blood vessel when the balloon is inflated therein. The catheter has an attachment structure disposed between the catheter body and the balloon to accommodate foreshortening and rotation of the external structure as the balloon is expanded. The external structure may be part of a helical cage structure which floats over the balloon.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering luminal prostheses comprises a catheter body having an expandable member near a distal end. The prosthesis has a side hole, and a guidewire extends beneath a proximal portion of the prosthesis and over the exterior of the expandable member. A distal end of the guidewire is retracted proximally from the closest point on the side opening to reduce possible interference with catheter advancement.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter includes a catheter body having a balloon or other radially expandable shell at its distal end. A non-axial external structure is carried over the shell and scores a stenosed region in a blood vessel when the balloon is inflated therein. The catheter has an attachment structure disposed between the catheter body and the balloon to accommodate foreshortening and rotation of the external structure as the balloon is expanded. The external structure may be part of a helical cage structure which floats over the balloon.

Abstract: Systems for aligning and deploying side branch stents comprise a catheter having a side branch sensor at or near a distal end thereof. Methods comprises rotating and axially transitioning the catheter until the sensor is brought into alignment with an opening to the side branch vessel.

Abstract: A system for performing angioplasty and a method of utilizing same are provided. The system includes a balloon mounted on a catheter shaft and an expandable constraining structure mounted over the balloon. The expandable constraining structure includes a plurality of axial struts crossing a plurality of radially-expandable rings being for constraining said balloon such that isolated balloon regions protrude through openings in said constraining structure when the balloon is inflated.