Abstract: A device and methods for positioning of a catheter at an ostium includes an anchoring portion and an expandable portion. The anchoring portion is configured to be attached to the shaft of the catheter at a location proximal to a treatment device positioned on the catheter. The expandable portion extends from a distal end of the anchoring portion and is immovable with respect to the anchoring portion along a longitudinal axis, The expandable portion is configured to extend outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis and is configured to be bendable in a direction of a proximal end of the anchoring portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a vessel include devices having a main elongated element with a balloon at its distal end, an auxiliary elongated element wherein a distal end of the auxiliary elongated element is proximal to the balloon, and a core wire having a internal core wire portion and an external core wire portion, wherein the external core wire portion is external to the balloon. In some embodiments, a distal connecting element is attached to the distal end of the balloon. In some embodiments, the distal connecting element is positioned at a rotational distance from the auxiliary elongated element. In some embodiments, the balloon is a fixed wire balloon. Inflation of the balloon causes guidewires positioned within the device and external core wires to be pushed up against the lesion, providing a focused force for cracking the lesion.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating an aneurysm include a single unit having an access element and an occlusion element, the access element providing access to the aneurysm for introducing treatment objects such as coils therethrough while the occlusion element blocks the treatment objects from protruding into the vessel. The access element is an elongated element having an access lumen for direct introduction of coils or for introduction of coils via a microcatheter. The occlusion element is a balloon or an elongated element for introduction of blocking objects such as coils therethrough. In embodiments of the present invention, a distal end of the access element is preshaped at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the device, wherein upon introduction of the device into the vessel, the access element is aligned with the longitudinal axis and at placement of the device adjacent the aneurysm, the access element assumes its pre-shaped configuration.

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 delivery catheter for a radially expandable intraluminal stent or stented graft. The delivery catheter comprises an elongate catheter body defining proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. Disposed on the catheter body at a location proximal to the distal end thereof is an inflatable, expandable balloon. The balloon is at least partially fabricated from a conformable material for allowing the stent to be at least partially embedded therein when positioned thereupon.

Abstract: As delivery catheter for a radially expandable intraluminal stent. The delivery catheter comprises an elongate outer tube defining proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. In addition to the outer tube, the delivery catheter includes an elongate inner tube defining proximal and distal ends and a guidewire lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The inner tube is movably disposed within the lumen of the outer tube. The delivery catheter further includes a flexible deployment sleeve having a first end attached to the distal end of the outer tube, and a second end attached to the inner tube at a location proximal to the distal end thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a radially expandable intraluminal stent or stented graft onto a delivery catheter. The apparatus comprises a hollow housing defining an interior chamber and a fluid port which communicates with the interior chamber. Disposed within the interior chamber of the housing is a collapsible, resilient tubular sleeve which is sized to receive a portion of the delivery catheter having the stent or stented graft positioned thereupon. The sleeve includes an open end which communicates with the exterior of the housing. The pressurization of the interior chamber of the housing via the fluid port facilitates the uniform radial compression of the sleeve, with the depressurization of the housing via the fluid port causing the sleeve to resiliently return to an uncompressed state.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a radially expandable intraluminal stent or stented graft onto a delivery catheter. The apparatus comprises a hollow housing defining an interior chamber and a fluid port which communicates with the interior chamber. Disposed within the interior chamber of the housing is a collapsible, resilient tubular sleeve which is sized to receive a portion of the delivery catheter having the stent or stented graft positioned thereupon. The sleeve includes an open end which communicates with the exterior of the housing. The pressurization of the interior chamber of the housing via the fluid port facilitates the uniform radial compression of the sleeve, with the depressurization of the housing via the fluid port causing the sleeve to resiliently return to an uncompressed state.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active perfusion dilatation catheter. More particularly, the invention relates to an active perfusion dilatation catheter comprising a catheter shaft having proximal and distal portions and one or more inflation lumens extending therethrough; an inflatable dilatation balloon positioned external to the distal portion of the catheter shaft and in fluid communication with an inflation lumen; an occlusion balloon positioned external to the distal portion of the catheter shaft and proximal to the dilatation balloon and in fluid communication with an inflation lumen; and a perfusion lumen at the distal portion of the catheter shaft, the perfusion lumen having proximal and distal openings, the proximal opening being located proximal to the occlusion balloon and the distal opening being located distal to the inflation balloon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rapid exchange catheter system comprising a exchange member having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the rigid shaft being integral with the proximal end of the exchange member, such that said shaft is adapted to advance the exchange member distally to a desired location wherein the exchange member is positioned concentrically to a catheter shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to a balloon dilatation catheter and its use in delivering a balloon expandable stent. More particularly, the catheter comprises a first, inflation lumen extending therethrough and having distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the first lumen opening into and being in fluid communication with the interior of an inflatable dilatation balloon having distal and proximal ends, and a second lumen extending coextensively with and exterior to the dilatation balloon.

Abstract: This invention relates to a balloon dilatation catheter. The balloon dilatation catheter comprises a first, inflation lumen extending therethrough and having distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the first lumen opening into and being in fluid communication with the interior of an inflatable dilatation balloon having distal and proximal ends, and a second lumen extending coextensively with and exterior to the dilatation balloon.

Abstract: A non-deformable, self-expanding stent device, and deployment catheter therefore. The stent device comprises an elongate wire member having a multiplicity of back and forth bends formed therein to define a series of side-by-side straight segments, the ends of said wire being coupled to one another such that said straight segments are disposed in a cylindrical array about a longitudinal axis. The stent is initially disposed in an operative configuration whereby the stent has a first internal diameter, and wherein the straight segments are generally parallel to one another. The stent is foldable or compressible to a contract configuration wherein the stent has an outer diameter or outer cross sectional dimension which is smaller than the first inner diameter of the operatively configured stent. The stent is formed of resilient material such that the stent is biased to, and will automatically self-expand to, its operative configuration.

Abstract: This invention relates to a balloon dilatation catheter. The balloon dilatation catheter comprises a first, inflation lumen extending therethrough and having distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the first lumen opening into and being in fluid communication with the interior of an inflatable dilatation balloon having distal and proximal ends, and a second lumen extending coextensively with and exterior to the dilatation balloon.