Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods directed to stent delivery systems that include a stent and a catheter assembly having first and second balloons. The stent includes a side branch aperture and expandable structure defining the side branch aperture. The expandable structure is configured to move into a radial outward orientation relative to a sidewall of the stent. The portions of the first and second balloons are positioned within the stent in a generally coaxial arrangement with the first balloon extending distally from the distal open end of the stent and the second balloon extending proximally from the proximal open end of the stent. The expandable structure of the stent is moved towards the radial outward orientation by advancing the second balloon at least partially distally through the side branch aperture. In some arrangements, the second balloon is at least partially inflated when advanced through the side branch aperture.

Abstract: A stent crimping system and method for use in preparing a bifurcation catheter assembly for use in a patient. The catheter assembly includes main and side catheter branches and a stent. The stent includes a side branch aperture through which the side catheter branch extends. The stent is crimped onto the main and side catheter branches with a crimping mechanism in two crimping steps. In the first crimping step, only a distal end portion of the stent is crimped while the side catheter branch remains extending through the side branch opening of the stent and remains positioned outside of the crimping mechanism. In a second crimping step, the entire stent is crimped with the crimping mechanism.

Abstract: A catheter shaft bond arrangement includes a first catheter shaft defining a first lumen, a second catheter shaft defining a second lumen, and a first bonding member. The first bonding member is configured to bond with the first and second catheter shafts to create a molded bond upon application of heat to the first bonding member. The molded bond provides a fixed axial and radial orientation of the first and second catheter shafts relative to each other. The molded bond can be generated in some arrangements without the use of the first bonding member. In other arrangements, two or more bonding members can be used to create the molded bond.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods for preparing and assembling catheter assemblies. The catheter assembly includes main and side balloons. The main balloon includes side portions that are folded in opposite directions toward a bottom surface of the main balloon to place the main balloon in a folded state. The side balloon is typically positioned along a top surface of the main balloon. The folded balloons can be retained in a folded state with various retaining structures during further preparation and assembling of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods directed to stent delivery systems that include a stent and a catheter assembly having first and second balloons. The stent includes a side branch aperture and expandable structure defining the side branch aperture. The expandable structure is configured to move into a radial outward orientation relative to a sidewall of the stent. The portions of the first and second balloons are positioned within the stent in a generally coaxial arrangement with the first balloon extending distally from the distal open end of the stent and the second balloon extending proximally from the proximal open end of the stent. The expandable structure of the stent is moved towards the radial outward orientation by advancing the second balloon at least partially distally through the side branch aperture. In some arrangements, the second balloon is at least partially inflated when advanced through the side branch aperture.

Abstract: A stent crimping system and method for use in preparing a bifurcation catheter assembly for use in a patient. The catheter assembly includes main and side catheter branches and a stent. The stent includes a side branch aperture through which the side catheter branch extends. The stent is crimped onto the main and side catheter branches with a crimping mechanism in two crimping steps. In the first crimping step, only a distal end portion of the stent is crimped while the side catheter branch remains extending through the side branch opening of the stent and remains positioned outside of the crimping mechanism. In a second crimping step, the entire stent is crimped with the crimping mechanism.