Abstract: Carrier mounting systems and methods for using the same are provided.

Abstract: Forming a proximal anastomosis on an aortic wall includes method and instrumentation and apparatus for forming an aortic puncture and inserting into the vessel through the puncture a fluid-impervious sealing element with a protruding retainer. An anastomosis of a graft vessel over the puncture is partially completed with the retainer of the sealing element protruding through the partial anastomosis. The retainer facilitates removal of the sealing element from the partial anastomosis prior to completion of the procedure.

Abstract: Forming a proximal anastomosis on an aortic wall includes method and instrumentation and apparatus for forming an aortic puncture and inserting into the vessel through the puncture a fluid-impervious sealing element with a protruding retainer. An anastomosis of a graft vessel over the puncture is partially completed with the retainer of the sealing element protruding through the partial anastomosis. The retainer facilitates removal of the sealing element from the partial anastomosis prior to completion of the procedure.

Abstract: Forming a proximal anastomosis on an aortic wall includes method and instrumentation and apparatus for forming an aortic puncture and inserting into the vessel through the puncture a fluid-impervious sealing element with a protruding retainer. An anastomosis of a graft vessel over the puncture is partially completed with the retainer of the sealing element protruding through the partial anastomosis. The retainer facilitates removal of the sealing element from the partial anastomosis prior to completion of the procedure.

Abstract: Forming a proximal anastomosis on an aortic wall includes method and instrumentation and apparatus for forming an aortic puncture and inserting into the vessel through the puncture a fluid-impervious sealing element with a protruding retainer. An anastomosis of a graft vessel over the puncture is partially completed with the retainer of the sealing element protruding through the partial anastomosis. The retainer facilitates removal of the sealing element from the partial anastomosis prior to completion of the procedure.

Abstract: Forming a proximal anastomosis on an aortic wall includes method and instrumentation and apparatus for forming an aortic puncture and inserting into the vessel through the puncture a fluid-impervious sealing element with a protruding retainer. An anastomosis of a graft vessel over the puncture is partially completed with the retainer of the sealing element protruding through the partial anastomosis. The retainer facilitates removal of the sealing element from the partial anastomosis prior to completion of the procedure.

Abstract: A guiding catheter includes an inner guide movably disposed within an outer guide. Both inner and outer guides include inner and outer balloons, respectively, located at the distal tip of the guides. The inner guide balloon is fluted, thereby allowing blood to flow past the implanted balloon when inflated. The outer balloon is substantially annular in shape and is deployable as an occlusion balloon. Various sensors can be provided at the distal end of the guiding catheter to assist in locating a destination vessel or structure of interest.

Abstract: A guiding catheter includes an inner guide movably disposed within an outer guide. Both inner and outer guides include inner and outer balloons, respectively, located at the distal tip of the guides. The inner guide balloon is fluted, thereby allowing blood to flow past the implanted balloon when inflated. The outer balloon is substantially annular in shape and is deployable as an occlusion balloon. Various sensors can be provided at the distal end of the guiding catheter to assist in locating a destination vessel or structure of interest.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion in a physiological lumen is provided which includes two balloons, wherein the distance between the balloons can be adjusted. The catheter can be used for the delivery of a therapeutic substance for the treatment of conditions such as restenosis.

Abstract: A guiding catheter includes an inner guide movably disposed within an outer guide. Both inner and outer guides include inner and outer balloons, respectively, located at the distal tip of the guides. The inner guide balloon is fluted, thereby allowing blood to flow past the implanted balloon when inflated. The outer balloon is substantially annular in shape and is deployable as an occlusion balloon. Various sensors can be provided at the distal end of the guiding catheter to assist in locating a destination vessel or structure of interest.

Abstract: An improved catheter assembly and method are provided for delivering angulated stents to a diseased vessels. The assembly allows for the precise delivery of an angulated stent into a side branch vessel that is at varying angles with respect to a main vessel. The assembly includes a single balloon Y-shaped balloon catheter having a restraining member attached to the distal section of the catheter to assist in proper delivery of the angulated stent. The restraining member of the catheter assembly of the present invention is configured to prevent the deployment of an angulated stent unless proper orientation of catheter assembly is first achieved. Because a pre-mounted stent is oriented to coincide with the diseased side branch vessel, once proper orientation of the catheter assembly is achieved, deployment of the angulated stent will be precise.

Abstract: A catheter including an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, at least one lumen, and at least a section with a major transverse dimension and a minor transverse dimension, such that the shaft preferentially bends in the direction of the minor transverse dimension. In one embodiment, the catheter is a balloon catheter having a balloon on a distal shaft section, and having a prosthesis mounted on the balloon. In a presently preferred embodiment the prosthesis has a first end and a truncated second end, and is mounted on the balloon such that the truncated second end tapers in the direction of the minor transverse dimension of the shaft. In another embodiment, the catheter has an operative member, such as a drug delivery balloon or an atherectomy member or a radiation, sonic, or light emitter, disposed on or within a distal shaft section, the operative member having an operative surface facing in a direction substantially aligned with the minor transverse dimension of the shaft.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter having a catheter shaft and distal member rotatable relative to at least a section of the catheter shaft. In one embodiment, the catheter has a catheter shaft, a distal member, which in a presently preferred embodiment is a balloon mounted on a distal portion of the shaft, and a tubular sealing member having an expandable portion disposed at least in part within a section of the distal member. The tubular sealing member has an expanded configuration, and an unexpanded configuration expandable into contact with the section of the distal member, so that the distal member is rotatable relative to at least a section of the catheter shaft and to the tubular sealing member when the tubular sealing member is in the unexpanded configuration.

Abstract: An improved catheter assembly and method are provided for delivering angulated stents to a diseased vessels. The assembly allows for the precise delivery of an angulated stent into a side branch vessel that is at varying angles with respect to a main vessel. The assembly includes a single balloon Y-shaped balloon catheter having a restraining member attached to the distal section of the catheter to assist in proper delivery of the angulated stent. The restraining member of the catheter assembly of the present invention is configured to prevent the deployment of an angulated stent unless proper orientation of catheter assembly is first achieved. Because a pre-mounted stent is oriented to coincide with the diseased side branch vessel, once proper orientation of the catheter assembly is achieved, deployment of the angulated stent will be precise.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter having a catheter shaft and distal member rotatable relative to at least a section of the catheter shaft. In one embodiment, the catheter has a catheter shaft, a distal member, which in a presently preferred embodiment is a balloon mounted on a distal portion of the shaft, and a tubular sealing member having an expandable portion disposed at least in part within a section of the distal member. The tubular sealing member has an expanded configuration, and an unexpanded configuration expandable into contact with the section of the distal member, so that the distal member is rotatable relative to at least a section of the catheter shaft and to the tubular sealing member when the tubular sealing member is in the unexpanded configuration.