Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for deploying a stent and infusing a therapeutic agent into tissue adjacent to the ends of the stent. The system comprises a catheter, an inflatable balloon, a stent, and a plurality of infusion elements. The catheter has an inflation lumen and at least one therapeutic agent delivery lumen. The balloon is disposed on the catheter and is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The stent is disposed on the balloon. The infusion elements are positioned adjacent to distal and proximal ends of the stent and are in fluid communication with at least one therapeutic agent delivery lumen. The infusion elements are inserted into a wall of a target region of a vessel responsive to inflation of the balloon. Further inflation of the balloon deploys the stent within the target region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for loading drug onto a stent. The method comprises positioning at least one polymer coated stent on a mandrel, positioning a drug infused sheath onto the stent and diffusing drug from the sheath into the polymer coating of the stent. The system includes a drug coated mandrel and sheath positioned adjacent to and in contact with a polymer coated stent.

Abstract: A stent device including a stent body having a plurality of adjacent rows and one or more interconnections or interlocking rings between rows. The interconnections have first and second connecting portions with first ends permanently and immovably coupled to the rows and second ends interlocked with each other, such that the second ends of each portion can move independently of the other. The interconnections include ball and socket joints, hinge joints or universal joints. Interlocking rings have indentations for receiving the other ring, such that when interlocked, the rings will lay flat against a body lumen wall.

Abstract: A catheter shaft for a catheter includes a centrally-located guidewire lumen. A body portion of the catheter shaft includes arc-shaped nodes that define a guidewire track within the guidewire lumen. The nodes include a crown region that includes a single contact point for the guidewire and may be formed of a material having a lower coefficient of friction. At least one node has an inflation lumen extending therethrough. The catheter shaft has a cut in it extending radially from the guidewire lumen to an exterior surface of the catheter shaft. The balloon catheter has a guide member that opens the cut and tracks the guidewire in and out of the catheter shaft along a length of the catheter shaft which is cut.

Abstract: A catheter shaft for a balloon catheter includes a centrally-located guidewire lumen. A body portion of the catheter shaft includes arc-shaped nodes that define a guidewire track within the guidewire lumen. Each node provides a single contact point for a guidewire within the guidewire lumen, thereby limiting frictional contact due to “rolling” friction, rather than “sliding” friction, between the catheter shaft and an inserted guidewire. The nodes include a crown region that includes the contact point. The crown region may be formed of a material having a lower coefficient of friction than the remaining portion of the catheter shaft. At least one node has an inflation lumen extending therethrough. The inflation lumen is in fluid communication with an interior of an inflatable balloon.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, comprising a catheter and a stent. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon. The stent is removably coupled to the balloon. The stent includes at least one elongated opening oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stent. A portion of the balloon is positioned within the elongated opening to aid in retaining the stent to the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, including a catheter and a stent deployment assembly coupled to the catheter. The stent deployment assembly includes a coated stent with a stent framework and a drug-polymer coating on at least a portion of the stent framework. An expandable sheath is positioned adjacent to an inner surface of the coated stent, and at least one balloon is positioned within the expandable sheath. The expandable sheath expands against the stent framework as the balloon is inflated to deploy the coated stent within a vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, including a catheter and a stent deployment assembly coupled to the catheter. The stent deployment assembly includes a balloon, a first inelastic collar attached at a proximal end of the balloon, and a second inelastic collar attached at a distal end of the balloon. The collars limit expansion of the balloon at the proximal and distal ends of the balloon when the balloon is inflated.

Abstract: A catheter shaft for a catheter includes a centrally-located guidewire lumen. A body portion of the catheter shaft includes arc-shaped nodes that define a guidewire track within the guidewire lumen. The nodes include a crown region that includes a single contact point for the guidewire and may be formed of a material having a lower coefficient of friction. At least one node has an inflation lumen extending therethrough. The catheter shaft has a cut in it extending radially from the guidewire lumen to an exterior surface of the catheter shaft. The balloon catheter has a guide member that opens the cut and tracks the guidewire in and out of the catheter shaft along a length of the catheter shaft which is cut.

Abstract: A catheter shaft for a balloon catheter includes a centrally-located guidewire lumen. A body portion of the catheter shaft includes arc-shaped nodes that define a guidewire track within the guidewire lumen. Each node provides a single contact point for a guidewire within the guidewire lumen, thereby limiting frictional contact due to “rolling” friction, rather than “sliding” friction, between the catheter shaft and an inserted guidewire. The nodes include a crown region that includes the contact point. The crown region may be formed of a material having a lower coefficient of friction than the remaining portion of the catheter shaft. At least one node has an inflation lumen extending therethrough. The inflation lumen is in fluid communication with an interior of an inflatable balloon.