Abstract: The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which tracks over two guidewires. One guidewire is disposed in each branch vessel of a bifurcation. The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which enables efficient and accurate stent deployment and dilatation of bifurcation lesions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which tracks over two guidewires. One guidewire is disposed in each branch vessel of a bifurcation. The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which enables efficient and accurate stent deployment and dilatation of bifurcation lesions.

Abstract: A method for managing the pericardium during intra-pericardial procedures such as the delivery of cardiac support devices. One embodiment of the method includes making an incision through the pericardium to provide access to the pericardial space, and inserting a plurality of strips of lubricious material into and through the incision. The strips of material are spaced around the edges of the incision to form a tubular barrier against the pericardium. End portions of the strips of material in the pericardial space are expanded away from the body to form a lip that lines the inside of the pericardium around the incision.

Abstract: Tools for managing the pericardium during intra-pericardial procedures such as the delivery of cardiac support devices. One embodiment of the tool includes a tubular body of low friction material having a diameter, a fixed lip on an exterior end and an extendable lip on an interior end. The extendable lip moves with respect to the body between a retracted state and an expanded state. The tool is inserted through an incision in the pericardium and deployed by moving the lip to the expanded state. When deployed a barrier portion of the body engages the edges of the incision and the extendable lip lines the inside of the pericardium around the incision.

Abstract: A wire station is disclosed for securing and managing multiple wire members used in a catheter system. The wire management system includes means for securing the proximal portion of two wire members in a spatially separate arrangement. The wire station of the present invention additionally provides a physician with the flexibility of either directly attaching the wire station of the present invention to the catheter system directly, or positioning the wire station at a remote location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which tracks over two guidewires. One guidewire is disposed in each branch vessel of a bifurcation. The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which enables efficient and accurate stent deployment and dilatation of bifurcation lesions.

Abstract: A system/assembly for delivery and deployment of an inflation expandable stent within a vessel, comprising a catheter having proximal and distal ends; a stent, inflation expandable from a delivery diameter to a deployment diameter, such that the delivery diameter is reduced from the deployment diameter for conforming the stent to the catheter, such that the stent, in its delivery diameter, is coaxially mounted on the catheter near the catheter distal end; an expandable inflation means coaxially mounted on the catheter axially within the stent, for expansion of the stent from the delivery diameter to the deployment diameter upon application of fluid deployment pressure to the inflation means; and a securement component coaxially mounted on the catheter, axially within the expandable inflation means, the securement component designed and adapted to provide a securement pressure to the stent in the delivery diameter to maintain the stent in position on the catheter during delivery to the deployment site.

Abstract: A wire station is disclosed for securing and managing multiple wire members used in a catheter system. The wire management system includes a station for securing the proximal portion of two wire members in a spatially separate arrangement. The wire station additionally provides a physician with the flexibility of either directly attaching the wire station to the catheter system directly, or positioning the wire station at a remote location.

Abstract: An angioplasty and stent delivery system to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, including a catheter having an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state: a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, and being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the catheter in the contracted state, the expandable distal portion of the catheter including a balloon within which or over which there is included on a catheter shaft at least one axially movable or enlargeable body of a diameter larger than the catheter shaft to which the stent and balloon are fitted, as by crimping, for holding the stent in place until it is released therefrom by expansion of the balloon.

Abstract: A system/assembly for delivery and deployment of an inflation expandable stent within a vessel, comprising a catheter having proximal and distal ends; a stent, inflation expandable from a delivery diameter to a deployment diameter, such that the delivery diameter is reduced from the deployment diameter for conforming the stent to the catheter, such that the stent, in its delivery diameter, is coaxially mounted on the catheter near the catheter distal end; an expandable inflation means coaxially mounted on the catheter axially within the stent, for expansion of the stent from the delivery diameter to the deployment diameter upon application of fluid deployment pressure to the inflation means; and a securement component coaxially mounted on the catheter, axially within the expandable inflation means, the securement component designed and adapted to provide a securement pressure to the stent in the delivery diameter to maintain the stent in position on the catheter during delivery to the deployment site.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for delivery and deployment of an expandable stent within a vessel. The apparatus comprises a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a catheter shaft, an expandable stent coaxially mounted on the catheter near the distal end of the catheter and a securement apparatus coaxially mounted on the catheter near its distal end and over the stent. The securement apparatus comprises a securement sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface. The securement sleeve is constructed and arranged for proximal advancement along the catheter shaft. The present invention also includes a distal cuff having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface.

Abstract: An angioplasty and stent delivery system to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, including a catheter having an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state: a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, and being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the catheter in the contracted state, the expandable distal portion of the catheter including a balloon within which or over which there is included on a catheter shaft at least one axially movable or enlargeable body of a diameter larger than the catheter shaft to which the stent and balloon are fitted, as by crimping, for holding the stent in place until it is released therefrom by expansion of the balloon.

Abstract: A medical device comprises an inner tube and an outer tube disposed about at least a portion of the inner tube. A balloon extends from the distal end of the outer tube. Within the balloon is a first expandable diaphragm, one end of which is attached to the inner tube. The first expandable diaphragm is covered by a retractable sheath disposed about the inner tube. Upon retraction of the retractable sheath, the diaphragm expands to sealingly contact the interior of the balloon in a first contact region and form at least a first compartment and a second compartment in the balloon.

Abstract: A stent deployment system includes a tubular member having a first end and a second end and a generally longitudinal opening between the first and second ends. The tubular member has an inner periphery sized to receive a stent therein. A plurality of apertures are disposed on opposite sides of the generally longitudinal opening. An elongate retainer is removably receivable within the apertures to retain the stent in the tubular member and to release the stent from the tubular member when removed from the apertures.

Abstract: A medical device comprises an inner tube and an outer tube disposed about at least a portion of the inner tube. A balloon extends from the distal end of the outer tube. Within the balloon is a first expandable diaphragm, one end of which is attached to the inner tube. The first expandable diaphragm is covered by a retractable sheath disposed about the inner tube. Upon retraction of the retractable sheath, the diaphragm expands to sealingly contact the interior of the balloon in a first contact region and form at least a first compartment and a second compartment in the balloon.

Abstract: A wire station is disclosed for securing and managing multiple wire members used in a catheter system. The wire management system includes means for securing the proximal portion of two wire members in a spatially separate arrangement. The wire station of the present invention additionally provides a physician with the flexibility of either directly attaching the wire station of the present invention to the catheter system directly, or positioning the wire station at a remote location.

Abstract: An angioplasty and stent delivery system to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, including a catheter having an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state: a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, and being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the catheter in the contracted state, the expandable distal portion of the catheter including a balloon within which or over which there is included on a catheter shaft at least one axially movable or enlargeable body of a diameter larger than the catheter shaft to which the stent and balloon are fitted, as by crimping, for holding the stent in place until it is released therefrom by expansion of the balloon.

Abstract: An angioplasty and stent delivery system to facilitate introduction and placement of a stent, including a catheter having an expandable distal portion constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of the catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state: a stent positioned around the distal portion of the catheter having a contracted condition and being expandable to an expanded condition, and being sized in the contracted condition to closely surround the catheter in the contracted state, the expandable distal portion of the catheter including a balloon within which or over which there is included on a catheter shaft at least one axially movable or enlargeable body of a diameter larger than the catheter shaft to which the stent and balloon are fitted, as by crimping, for holding the stent in place until it is released therefrom by expansion of the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for delivery and deployment of an expandable stent within a vessel. The apparatus comprises a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a catheter shaft, an expandable stent coaxially mounted on the catheter near the distal end of the catheter and a securement apparatus coaxially mounted on the catheter near its distal end and over the stent. The securement apparatus comprises a securement sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface. The securement sleeve is constructed and arranged for proximal advancement along the catheter shaft. The present invention also includes a distal cuff having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface.

Abstract: A system/assembly for delivery and deployment of an inflation expandable stent within a vessel, comprising a catheter having proximal and distal ends; a stent, inflation expandable from a delivery diameter to a deployment diameter, such that the delivery diameter is reduced from the deployment diameter for conforming the stent to the catheter, such that the stent, in its delivery diameter, is coaxially mounted on the catheter near the catheter distal end; an expandable inflation means coaxially mounted on the catheter axially within the stent, for expansion of the stent from the delivery diameter to the deployment diameter upon application of fluid deployment pressure to the inflation means; and a securement component coaxially mounted on the catheter, axially within the expandable inflation means, the securement component designed and adapted to provide a securement pressure to the stent in the delivery diameter to maintain the stent in position on the catheter during delivery to the deployment site.