Abstract: A stent comprises a first expansion strut column of first expansion strut pairs and a second expansion strut column of second expansion strut pairs. Each first expansion strut pair is connected to a second expansion strut pair by a connecting strut. Each connecting strut comprises at least one wrap portion, the at least one wrap portion being at least partially wrapped about at least one of the first joining portions of at least one of the first expansion strut column and the second expansion strut column.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state has a first and second expansion column, each consisting of a plurality of expansion strut pairs. An expansion strut pair includes a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a joining strut that couples the first and second expansion struts at one end. A connecting strut column, formed of a plurality of connecting struts couples the first and second expansion columns. Connecting struts include a proximal section, a distal section and an intermediate section. The proximal section is coupled to the corner of an expansion strut pair of the first expansion column, and the distal section is coupled to the joining strut of an expansion strut pair of the second expansion column intermediate the expansion strut pair first corner and the expansion strut pair second corner.

Abstract: A circumferentially connected stent in a non-expanded state with a longitudinal axis, includes a first expansion column strut pair having a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut with a joining strut. The first expansion column strut pair defines a chevron shaped slot, and a plurality of the first expansion strut pair forms a first expansion column. A second expansion column strut pair includes a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a joining strut. The second expansion column strut pair defines a chevron shaped slot, and a plurality of the second expansion strut pair forms a second expansion column. A first serial connecting strut column is formed of a plurality of first connecting struts, and the first connecting strut column couples the first expansion column to the second expansion column.

Abstract: An expandable stent includes a tubular structure with an outer surface positionable adjacent to a vessel wall and an inner surface facing a lumen of a body passageway. The tubular structure further includes a plurality of expansion struts, connector struts and cells. The tubular structure has a first diameter which permits intraluminal delivery of the tubular structure into the body passageway, and a second expanded and deformed diameter which is achieved upon the application of a radially, outwardly extending force. A plurality of cavities are formed in the outer surface of the stent.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state has a first and second expansion column, each consisting of a plurality of expansion strut pairs. An expansion strut pair includes a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a joining strut that couples the first and second expansion struts at one end. Expansion strut pairs include expansion strut pair first and second corners formed where the joining strut couples the first and second expansion struts. A connecting strut column, formed of a plurality of connecting struts couples the first and second expansion columns. Connecting struts include a proximal section, a distal section and an intermediate section. The proximal section is coupled to the corner of an expansion strut pair of the first expansion column, and the distal section is coupled to the joining strut of an expansion strut pair of the second expansion column intermediate the expansion strut pair first corner and the expansion strut pair second corner.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state has a first and second expansion column, each consisting of a plurality of expansion strut pairs. An expansion strut pair includes a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a joining strut that couples the first and second expansion struts at one end. Expansion strut pairs include expansion strut pair first and second corners formed where the joining strut couples the first and second expansion struts. A connecting strut column, formed of a plurality of connecting struts couples the first and second expansion columns. Connecting struts include a proximal section, a distal section and an intermediate section. The proximal section is coupled to the corner of an expansion strut pair of the first expansion column, and the distal section is coupled to the joining strut of an expansion strut pair of the second expansion column intermediate the expansion strut pair first corner and the expansion strut pair second corner.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state has a first column expansion strut pair. A plurality of the first column expansion strut pair form a first expansion column. A plurality of second column expansion strut pair form a second expansion column. A plurality of first serial connecting struts form a first connecting strut column that couples the first expansion column to the second expansion column. The first expansion column, the second expansion column, and the first connecting strut column form a plurality of geometric cells. At least a portion of the plurality are asymmetrical geometric cells.

Abstract: Various intravascular stents, such as intracoronary stents, include improved expansion and connecting strut designs. Such stents can be both very flexible and fully cover vessel surface inside the vascular lumen, and be well designed for both the delivery phase and the deployed phase of the stent life cycle.

Abstract: An expandable stent includes a tubular structure with an outer surface positionable adjacent to a vessel wall and an inner surface facing a lumen of a body passageway. The tubular structure further includes a plurality of expansion struts, connector struts and cells. The tubular structure has a first diameter which permits intraluminal delivery of the tubular structure into the body passageway, and a second expanded and deformed diameter which is achieved upon the application of a radially, outwardly extending force. A plurality of cavities are formed in the outer surface of the stent.

Abstract: The present invention tackles the challenging anatomic characteristics of the coronary artery disease in the bifurcation point and the origin of side-branch. The invention has a specifically designed angioplasty balloon catheter, particularly the balloon shape and profile, to be used in the diseased vessels at these difficult anatomic locations. In stent implanting into a coronary artery, a balloon catheter application is an inseparable requirement. A stent is a passive device that cannot be deployed in a diseased or stenosed artery without a pre-stent, with-stent and/or post-stent balloon dilatation. In majority (more than 95%) of available coronary stents, a stent is deployed by balloon expandable mode, meaning that the stent is delivered and expanded inside a vessel lumen by expanding a delivery balloon. This is done by crimping a stent over a folded balloon for delivery into a coronary artery.

Abstract: A stent comprises a first expansion strut column of first expansion strut pairs and a second expansion strut column of second expansion strut pairs. Each first expansion strut pair is connected to a second expansion strut pair by a connecting strut. Each connecting strut comprises at least one wrap portion, the at least one wrap portion being at least partially wrapped about at least one of the first joining portions of at least one of the first expansion strut column and the second expansion strut column.

Abstract: A triple profile balloon catheter has a catheter shaft with an inflation/deflation lumen. A balloon is located at a distal section of the catheter shaft. The balloon has a first segment in a proximal portion of the balloon, and a second segment in a distal portion of the balloon. An intermediate segment with a length greater than 3 mm couples the first and second segments. The first segment has a first average diameter, the second segment has a second average diameter that is less than the first average diameter. The balloon has a single chamber coupled to the inflation/deflation lumen.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state has a first and second expansion column, each consisting of a plurality of expansion strut pairs. An expansion strut pair includes a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a joining strut that couples the first and second expansion struts at one end. Expansion strut pairs include expansion strut pair first and second corners formed where the joining strut couples the first and second expansion struts. A connecting strut column, formed of a plurality of connecting struts couples the first and second expansion columns. Connecting struts include a proximal section, a distal section and an intermediate section. The proximal section is coupled to the corner of an expansion strut pair of the first expansion column, and the distal section is coupled to the joining strut of an expansion strut pair of the second expansion column intermediate the expansion strut pair first corner and the expansion strut pair second corner.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state has a first column expansion strut pair. A plurality of the first column expansion strut pair form a first expansion column. A plurality of second column expansion strut pair form a second expansion column. A plurality of first serial connecting struts form a first connecting strut column that couples the first expansion column to the second expansion column. The first expansion column, the second expansion column, and the first connecting strut column form a plurality of geometric cells. At least a portion of the plurality are asymmetrical geometric cells.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter comprising a catheter shaft having a proximal portion and a distal end, an angioplasty balloon attached to the shaft at the distal end, a balloon inflation lumen extending through the shaft and communicating with the interior of the balloon, a guidewire lumen extending through the shaft and through the balloon for receiving a steerable guidewire, the guidewire lumen having an outside wall, wherein the guidewire lumen has a proximal opening located at a point normally outside of the patient during use of the catheter for insertion of a guidewire into the lumen, and a side port adapted to permit passage of a guidewire into the lumen through the outside wall of the guidewire lumen, the side port located distally of the proximal opening and at a point normally inside of the patient during use, and guidewire removing means in the outside wall of the guidewire lumen extending from the proximal opening to the side port for permitting a guidewire in the guidewire lumen to be moved laterally fr

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter comprising a catheter shaft having a proximal portion and a distal end, an angioplasty balloon attached to the shaft at the distal end, a balloon inflation lumen extending through the shaft and communicating with the interior of the balloon, a guidewire lumen extending through the shaft and through the balloon for receiving a steerable guidewire, the guidewire lumen having an outside wall, wherein the guidewire lumen has a proximal opening located at a point normally outside of the patient during use of the catheter for insertion of a guidewire into the lumen, and a side port adapted to permit passage of a guidewire into the lumen through the outside wall of the guidewire lumen, the side port located distally of the proximal opening and at a point normally inside of the patient during use, and guidewire removing means in the outside wall of the guidewire lumen extending from the proximal opening to the side port for permitting a guidewire in the guidewire lumen to be moved laterally fr

Abstract: An intravascular catheter, comprising a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a guidewire lumen extending through the shaft for receiving a steerable guidewire, wherein the guidewire lumen has a proximal opening at the proximal end of the shaft for insertion of a guidewire into the lumen, and a side port for insertion of a guidewire into the lumen through the side of the catheter shaft, the side port located distally of the proximal opening and inside the patient during use, the side port being adapted to direct guidewire to extend through the side port distally into the guidewire lumen while preventing a guidewire from extending through the side port proximally into the guidewire lumen. Also disclosed are methods for using the catheter.

Abstract: An expandable stent includes a tubular structure with an outer surface positionable adjacent to a vessel wall and an inner surface facing a lumen of a body passageway. The tubular structure further includes a plurality of expansion struts, connector struts and cells. The tubular structure has a first diameter which permits intraluminal delivery of the tubular structure into the body passageway, and a second expanded and deformed diameter which is achieved upon the application of a radially, outwardly extending force. A plurality of cavities are formed in the outer surface of the stent.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state has a first and second expansion column, each consisting of a plurality of expansion strut pairs. An expansion strut pair includes a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a joining strut that couples the first and second expansion struts at one end. Expansion strut pairs include expansion strut pair first and second corners formed where the joining strut couples the first and second expansion struts. A connecting strut column, formed of a plurality of connecting struts couples the first and second expansion columns. Connecting struts include a proximal section, a distal section and an intermediate section. The proximal section is coupled to the corner of an expansion strut pair of the first expansion column, and the distal section is coupled to the joining strut of an expansion strut pair of the second expansion column intermediate the expansion strut pair first corner and the expansion strut pair second corner.

Abstract: An expandable stent includes a tubular structure with an outer surface positionable adjacent to a vessel wall and an inner surface facing a lumen of a body passageway. The tubular structure further includes a plurality of expansion struts, connector struts and cells. The tubular structure has a first diameter which permits intraluminal delivery of the tubular structure into the body passageway, and a second expanded and deformed diameter which is achieved upon the application of a radially, outwardly extending force. A plurality of cavities are formed in the outer surface of the stent.