Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device delivery system comprising a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end portion; an expandable member provided at the distal end portion of the shaft, the expandable member having a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration; the expandable member being folded around the catheter shaft in its delivery configuration; characterized in that a coating is disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface area of the expandable member in its delivery configuration such that the coating does not cover portions of the expandable member located inside the folds of the expandable member in its delivery configuration; and an expandable medical device is mounted on the expandable member in the delivery configuration with the coating being disposed between the expandable member and the expandable medical device.

Abstract: A vascular endoprosthesis (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) includes a radially-expandable first segment and a radially expandable second segment. The vascular endoprosthesis further includes first and second coupling elements. The first coupling element extends from the proximal end of the first segment toward the distal end of the second segment, and the second coupling element extends from the distal end of the second segment toward the proximal end of the first segment. The first and second coupling elements cooperate one with another to couple the first and second segments together when the vascular endoprosthesis is in a delivery configuration and to decouple the first and second segments when the vascular endoprosthesis is in a deployed configuration.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon is fabricated according to a process that forms cavities and indentations in the balloon and/or catheter sections. A length of tubing is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser or another type of laser or mechanical material removal tool is used to remove the polymeric material, virtually without thermal effects. Cavities in the sleeve sections of the balloon are defined and if desired, indentations in the cone sections are defined. Material removal, particularly near the balloon sleeves enables a thinner, more flexible bonding area between the catheter shaft and the balloon. Further, the indentations along the cone sections enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile. Rigidity near the sleeves is reduced for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon is fabricated according to a process that forms cavities and indentations in the balloon and/or catheter sections. A length of tubing is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser or another type of laser or mechanical material removal tool is used to remove the polymeric material, virtually without thermal effects. Cavities in the sleeve sections of the balloon are defined and if desired, indentations in the cone sections are defined. Material removal, particularly near the balloon sleeves enables a thinner, more flexible bonding area between the catheter shaft and the balloon. Further, the indentations along the cone sections enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile. Rigidity near the sleeves is reduced for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon is fabricated according to a process that forms cavities and indentations in the balloon and/or catheter sections. A length of tubing is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser or another type of laser or mechanical material removal tool is used to remove the polymeric material, virtually without thermal effects. Cavities in the sleeve sections of the balloon are defined and if desired, indentations in the cone sections are defined. Material removal, particularly near the balloon sleeves enables a thinner, more flexible bonding area between the catheter shaft and the balloon. Further, the indentations along the cone sections enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile. Rigidity near the sleeves is reduced for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon is fabricated according to a process that forms cavities and indentations in the balloon and/or catheter sections. A length of tubing is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser or another type of laser or mechanical material removal tool is used to remove the polymeric material, virtually without thermal effects. Cavities in the sleeve sections of the balloon are defined and if desired, indentations in the cone sections are defined. Material removal, particularly near the balloon sleeves enables a thinner, more flexible bonding area between the catheter shaft and the balloon. Further, the indentations along the cone sections enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile. Rigidity near the sleeves is reduced for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon is fabricated according to a process that forms cavities and indentations in the balloon and/or catheter sections. A length of tubing is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser or another type of laser or mechanical material removal tool is used to remove the polymeric material, virtually without thermal effects. Cavities in the sleeve sections of the balloon are defined and if desired, indentations in the cone sections are defined. Material removal, particularly near the balloon sleeves enables a thinner, more flexible bonding area between the catheter shaft and the balloon. Further, the indentations along the cone sections enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile. Rigidity near the sleeves is reduced for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways.

Abstract: A vascular endoprosthesis (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) includes a radially-expandable first segment and a radially expandable second segment. The vascular endoprosthesis further includes first and second coupling elements. The first coupling element extends from the proximal end of the first segment toward the distal end of the second segment, and the second coupling element extends from the distal end of the second segment toward the proximal end of the first segment. The first and second coupling elements cooperate one with another to couple the first and second segments together when the vascular endoprosthesis is in a delivery configuration and to decouple the first and second segments when the vascular endoprosthesis is in a deployed configuration.

Abstract: A support catheter that can puncture a heart septum with a guidewire without buckling and that can access difficult to reach arteries such as carotid or renal arteries from the aorta under difficult circumstances is provided. The support catheter comprises a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior wall surface defining a first lumen extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. A second lumen is disposed between the interior wall surface and an outer surface of the catheter body. A plurality of stiffening members is disposed around the second lumen, the plurality of stiffening members being engageable to selectively stiffen the catheter body. In another configuration, the catheter further comprises a second plurality of stiffening members disposed between the first lumen and the second lumen.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon is fabricated according to a process that forms cavities and indentations in the balloon and/or catheter sections. A length of tubing is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser or another type of laser or mechanical material removal tool is used to remove the polymeric material, virtually without thermal effects. Cavities in the sleeve sections of the balloon are defined and if desired, indentations in the cone sections are defined. Material removal, particularly near the balloon sleeves enables a thinner, more flexible bonding area between the catheter shaft and the balloon. Further, the indentations along the cone sections enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile. Rigidity near the sleeves is reduced for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways.

Abstract: The invention provides a catheter and method of making the same including an outer tubular member having a length, an outer surface, an inner surface and a lumen therethrough. The catheter also includes an inner tubular member having an outer surface, an inner surface and a lumen therethrough, at least a length of the inner lumen is disposed in the lumen of the outer tubular member. The catheter also includes a support member biasing a portion of the outer surface of the inner tubular member against a portion of the inner surface of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: The invention includes a catheter having an elongate main body having a proximal section and a distal section. The elongate main body further includes a plurality of stiffening members disposed along the length of the elongate main body. The plurality of stiffening members includes a first stiffening member and a second stiffening member. The first and second stiffening members can be disposed in an overlapping and spaced relationship. Alternatively, the second stiffening member can be disposed distal to the first stiffening member such that a gap is defined between the stiffening members.

Abstract: Catheter including an elongate main body having a proximal section and a distal section. The elongate main body further includes a guidewire lumen along at least a portion of the elongate main body. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the catheter includes a first stiffening member and a second stiffening in an overlapping spaced relationship along at least a portion of a length between the distal end and the proximal end of the elongate main body.

Abstract: The invention includes a catheter having an elongate main body having a proximal section and a distal section. The elongate main body further includes a first guidewire lumen and a second guidewire lumen. Each guide wire lumen including a proximal port and a distal port in communication with an external environment. The proximal port of the first guidewire lumen spaced by a gap from the distal port of the second guidewire lumen. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the catheter includes a plurality of overlapping stiffening members defined along at least a portion of a length between the distal end and the proximal end of the elongate main body.

Abstract: A catheter arrangement is described that is arranged to permit a guide wire or other structure to be fed laterally from the region of an expandable working element. The catheter includes an elongate flexible tubular member and an inflatable structure carried by a distal portion of the flexible tubular member. The flexible tubular member has a guide wire lumen and at least one fluid supply lumen that is in fluid communication with the inflatable structure. The inflatable structure includes at least one, and preferably two, inflatable members (which may take the form of balloons). In the case of two inflatable members, the first and second inflatable members are radially spaced about the guide wire lumen such that at least one gap is formed between the inflatable members. With this arrangement, the distal end of a guide wire may be advanced through the guide lumen and out of a side opening such that the guide wire passes laterally between the first and second inflatable members.

Abstract: A catheter arrangement is described that is arranged to permit a guide wire or other structure to be fed laterally from the region of an expandable working element. The catheter includes an elongate flexible tubular member and an inflatable structure carried by a distal portion of the flexible tubular member. The flexible tubular member has a guide wire lumen and at least one fluid supply lumen that is in fluid communication with the inflatable structure. The inflatable structure includes at least one, and preferably two, inflatable members (which may take the form of balloons). In the case of two inflatable members, the first and second inflatable members are radially spaced about the guide wire lumen such that at least one gap is formed between the inflatable members. With this arrangement, the distal end of a guide wire may be advanced through the guide lumen and out of a side opening such that the guide wire passes laterally between the first and second inflatable members.

Abstract: A variety of methods are described that pre-condition a balloon used in a balloon catheter in order to increase its flexibility. Generally, the membrane that forms the balloon is crumpled in order to induce a large number of irregular crumples in the balloon. The crinkling of the balloon improves its flexibility and thus the flexibility of the catheter. Most typically, torsion and/or compression are applied to the balloon membrane in order to induce the crumpling. The described crumpling can be used to increase the flexibility of a balloon of a given strength in a variety of catheters, including angioplasty catheters and stent delivery catheters. In stent delivery catheters, the resulting crinkles also have the additional benefit of improving stent retention.

Abstract: Various improved catheter marking arrangements are described. In a first aspect of the invention, a first longitudinally extending radiopaque marker is positioned on the catheter. A second longitudinally extending radiopaque marker is positioned opposite the first marker at a rotational orientation that is approximately 180 degrees offset from the first marker. The second marker has a length that is sufficiently different from the first marker such that a surgeon utilizing the catheter in a surgical procedure would be able to readily differentiate the first and second markers in a fluoroscopic image based on their respective lengths in order to determine the rotational orientation of the catheter. In some embodiments, the catheter includes a lumen that has a side port that opens to a side of the catheter. The first marker is composed of a pair of axially aligned marker segments located on opposite ends of the side port.

Abstract: A bifurcation stent delivery catheter includes a first branch balloon, a second branch balloon adjacent the first branch. A centering balloon is optionally disposed distal of the second branch balloon. The balloons are coupled by a coupling device to a main shaft of a catheter. The coupling device allows axial forces to be transmitted from the main shaft to the balloons while allowing the balloons to rotate axially relative to the main shaft with ease. The coupling device functions as an axial rotational joint. The coupling device can have a flexible tubular member that connects the balloons to the main shaft, the tubular member having a torsional flexibility greater than that of the main shaft. The coupling device can have a tubular wall having a cut extending circumferentially around the tubular wall and protective boot covering the cut. The coupling device can have a wound member that allows the axial rotation.

Abstract: Various improved catheter marking arrangements are described. In a first aspect of the invention, the catheter includes an expandable member (such as for example, a balloon, a stent, etc.). A pair of radiopaque end markers mark the distal and proximal ends of the expandable member. Additionally, a radiopaque intermediate marker is provided that marks an intermediate position on the expandable member. The intermediate marker may be used to mark important points on the expandable member. The markers are sized and positioned such that a surgeon utilizing the catheter in a surgical procedure would be able to readily differentiate the markers in a fluoroscopic image to determine the location of the item marked by the orientation of the catheter. In various other aspects of the invention, the intermediate marker is arranged to mark a position on the expandable member that constitutes a line of demarcation for an agent (such as a drug) carried by a balloon.