Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises Limited

Thomas Rieth

Randolf Von Oepen

Travis Richard Yribarren

Lorcan James Coffey

Richard Roy Newhauser, Jr

Axel Grandt

Arik Zucker

Boris Warnack

Judith Hartwig

Silke Pschibl

Marc Gianotti

Bernhard Uihlein

Bodo Quint

Stevan Nielsen

Andrew Jeffrey

Ian J Clark

A vascular endoprosthesis () 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.

Stent with independent stent rings and transitional attachments

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.

Method of reducing rigidity of angioplasty balloon sections

A system for delivering a medical device, such as an angioplasty balloon, includes two catheter shafts. The distal portion of a first shaft includes a first balloon and is narrower than the proximal portion. A second catheter shaft includes a second balloon and is connected to a medial portion of the first shaft. The second shaft includes a guidewire passageway which is in communication with the passageway of a third shaft that is removably connected to the first shaft. The distal tips of the first and second balloons are connected together to allow the system to be advanced to an anatomical site using a single guidewire. A second guidewire may be used to separate the distal ends of the balloons and to position the balloons at vascular bifurcation. A stent can be crimped onto the balloons such that inflation of the balloons implants the stent within the bifurcation.

Catheter system and method for delivering medical devices

A stent delivery catheter system for accurately positioning a stent in a bifurcated vessel is disclosed. The system includes a catheter having a terminal portion and distal tip that is placed in a main branch of the vessel proximate the bifurcation. A fixed guidewire is attached to distal tip. A port is defined in the terminal portion of the catheter. The port is aligned with an ostium of a side branch of the bifurcated vessel to allow the passage of a stent delivery device, such as a balloon catheter having a stent crimped thereon, into the side branch. Radiopaque bands are positioned on opposite ends of the port. A positioning balloon is included on a surface of the catheter opposite the port and is selectively inflatable to position the radiopaque bands adjacent the side branch ostium. The radiopaque bands are referenced to place the stent proximate the side branch ostium.

System and method for delivering a stent to a bifurcated vessel

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.

Stiffening support catheter and methods for using the same

Dilatation balloon having reduced rigidity

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.

Multiple lumen catheter and method of making same

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.

Catheter having plurality of stiffening members

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.

Catheter having overlapping stiffening members

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.

Catheter having first and second guidewire tubes and overlapping stiffening members

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. With such an arrangement, a guide wire passing out of the side opening in the region between the inflatable members can readily be directed into a second branch of a vessel bifurcation while the device is positioned in a first branch.

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Hirrlingen, Germany

Thomas Rieth