Abstract: A stent delivery system is comprised of an elongated flexible advancement member which terminates in a tubular tracking member slidable over a guidewire. An inflatable balloon has proximal and distal ends, the proximal end communicating with an inflation channel, and the distal end attaching to the tracking member. The balloon portion is coextensive with but not attached to the advancement member, which is external to the balloon. A stent is positioned around the inflatable balloon, and when the balloon is inflated, the stent expands radially. The outer surface of the expanded stent has one or more projections that enhance retention of the stent.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation system is comprised of an elongated flexible advancement member which terminates in a tubular tracking member slidable over a guidewire. An inflatable balloon has proximal and distal ends, the proximal end communicating with an inflation channel, and the distal end attaching to the tracking member. The balloon portion is coextensive with but not attached to the advancement member. An alignment member aligns the advancement member and the inflation channel. Other embodiments relate to delivery of stents or other medical instrumentalities.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation system is comprised of an elongated flexible advancement member which terminates in a tubular tracking member slidable over a guidewire. An inflatable balloon has proximal and distal ends, the proximal end communicating with an inflation channel, and the distal end attaching to the tracking member. The balloon portion is coextensive with but not attached to the advancement member. An alignment member aligns the advancement member and the inflation channel. Other embodiments relate to delivery of stents or other medical instrumentalities.

Abstract: A device of the present invention includes a generally tubular stent body with one or more external longitudinal projections. The stent is used for insertion into a vessel. These projections may extend from the distal end of the stent to the proximal end of the stent, or they may terminate at a location proximal to the distal end of the stent and/or distal to the proximal end of the stent. The projections act as rails to reduce a contact area between the stent and a vessel wall as well as act to focus and concentrate the radial forces. Preferably the distal end of each projection is tapered to facilitate crossing a tight undilated stenotic segment. When the stent is inserted into the vessel, it is expanded by balloon inflation, shape memory, self-expansion and, other means. The projections may be formed in the stent, added as separate elements and attached by suitable methods, or formed by crimping the stent with a suitable tool.

Abstract: A stent delivery system is comprised of an elongated flexible advancement member which terminates in a tubular tracking member slidable over a guidewire. An inflatable balloon has proximal and distal ends, the proximal end communicating with an inflation channel, and the distal end attaching to the tracking member. The balloon portion is coextensive with but not attached to the advancement member, which is external to the balloon. A stent is positioned around the inflatable balloon, and when the balloon is inflated, the stent expands radially. The outer surface of the expanded stent has one or more projections that enhance retention of the stent.

Abstract: A stent delivery system is comprised of an elongated flexible advancement member which terminates in a tubular tracking member slidable over a guidewire. An inflatable balloon has proximal and distal ends, the proximal end communicating with an inflation channel, and the distal end attaching to the tracking member. The balloon portion is coextensive with but not attached to the advancement member.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation system is comprised of an elongated flexible advancement member which terminates in a tubular tracking member slidable over a guidewire. An inflatable balloon has proximal and distal ends, the proximal end communicating with an inflation channel, and the distal end attaching to the tracking member. The balloon portion is coextensive with but not attached to the advancement member.

Abstract: A spiral balloon perfusion catheter assembly having a retaining wire and method of making the balloon. Also, a retaining wire for such a catheter and method of forming the retaining wire. A typical spiral catheter balloon has a spiral configuration of lobes and channels mounted on a catheter extending beyond the balloon ends. A retaining wire formed from a shape memory alloy is configured to have a central region having a spaced spiral configuration conforming to the spiral balloon channel and end regions configured to have a contiguous spiral configuration conforming to the catheter diameter. When placed over a spiral balloon, the central spiral region prevents expansion of the channel when the balloon is inflated, while the end regions secure the retaining wire to the catheter. Preferred shape memory alloys comprise nickel and titanium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a closed end catheter system comprising a catheter body defining a tool lumen sized to receive an elongated tool. The distal end of the tool lumen has a plug therein. A guidewire lumen extends within the catheter body and is sized to receive a guidewire. The guidewire lumen extends along at least a portion of the length of the tool lumen such that the tool lumen and the guidewire lumen are in a biaxial relationship. The elongated tool has a distal tip and a working portion near the distal tip. Two marker bands are affixed to the catheter body and are separated from each other by a distance of not less than the length of the working portion of the tool. The elongated tool extends longitudially through the tool lumen such that when the distal end of the tool rests against the plug, the working portion of the tool is located between the first and second marker bands.

Abstract: A sheath arrangement for spiral balloon catheters which permits improved perfusion during dilation of a body vessel. Methods of making the sheath and assembling the sheath onto a balloon and the resulting sheathed balloon catheter are included. A tube sized to fit over a spiral balloon is cut, preferably by laser cutting, to form ribs extending from the tube ends with collars at the distal ends of the ribs. Preferably, the tube ends are trimmed to match the balloon spiral lobes. The sheath is placed over the spiral balloon, bonded to the balloon lobes. The collars are secured to the catheter adjacent to the balloon. When the balloon is expanded to dilate a body vessel, blood can freely pass through the interlobe channels while the sheath prevents entry of arterial intima from entering into the channels. The rib and collar arrangement securely maintains the sheath in place on the balloon.

Abstract: A spiral balloon perfusion catheter assembly having a retaining wire and method of making the balloon. Also, a retaining wire for such a catheter and method of forming the retaining wire. A typical spiral catheter balloon has a spiral configuration of lobes and channels mounted on a catheter extending beyond the balloon ends. A retaining wire formed from a shape memory alloy is configured to have a central region having a spaced spiral configuration conforming to the spiral balloon channel and end regions configured to have a contiguous spiral configuration conforming to the catheter diameter. When placed over a spiral balloon, the central spiral region prevents expansion of the channel when the balloon is inflated, while the end regions secure the retaining wire to the catheter. Preferred shape memory alloys comprise nickel and titanium.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting structure such as a guidewire or catheter is formed of a generally flat band or wire twisted so that its longitudinal edge generally forms a helix. This twisted helical portion may be attached to a proximal shaft, and a tip member may be attached to the distal end of the helical portion. In some embodiments, the device is made of a single piece of wire, and in some embodiments, a spring coil may cover the helical portion. Where the device is a fixed wire balloon catheter, the helical portion may be attached to a proximal shaft, and the balloon mounted on the helical twisted wire, a plastic sheath encasing the main shaft and wire up to the balloon for inflation of the balloon. The helical guidewire may also be used in an over-the-wire balloon catheter.

Abstract: A valvuloplasty catheter comprising a catheter body having a through lumen, a tube extending through the lumen and having a distal end portion extending distally beyond the distal end of the catheter body and movable axially in the lumen relative to the catheter body. A radially expandable and axially contractable balloon is coupled, respectively, to the catheter body at the distal end portion of the tube. The balloon has a central region between the opposite end portions of the balloon which is of greater radial dimension in the relaxed condition than the opposite end portions and transition regions between the central region and the opposite end portions. The catheter body has a distal end portion which is less stiff than the region of the catheter body immediately proximal of the distal end portion of the catheter body.

Abstract: A catheter having first and second lumens and a balloon adjacent the distal end of the catheter, with the first and second lumens extending to the interior of the balloon. Air can be purged from the catheter by introducing a purging liquid in series through the first lumen, the balloon and the second lumen. Following purging, an inflation liquid is introduced in parallel through the first and second lumens to rapidly inflate the balloon. The balloon is rapidly deflated by discharging the inflation liquid from the balloon in parallel through the first and second lumens.