Endolumenal prosthesis and method of use in bifurcation regions of body lumens

Abstract

An endolumenal medical device assembly is provided for use in a bifurcation region of a body lumen. An expandable prosthesis, such as a stent, is included in the assembly and is adjustable from a radially collapsed condition to a radially expanded condition. The expandable prosthesis includes a prosthesis passageway and a side port. A dilator or an access device is engaged within the prosthesis passageway and also through the side port while the expandable prosthesis is in the radially collapsed condition. The expandable prosthesis may be positioned in the bifurcation region such that its distal end portion is in a first branch lumen extending from the bifurcation, its proximal end portion is in a common proximal lumen of the bifurcation region, and the side port is aligned with an entrance zone to a second branch lumen extending from the bifurcation. When the expandable prosthesis is so positioned the access device maintains percutaneous translumenal access to the second branch lumen through the prosthesis passageway and the side port while the expandable prosthesis is adjusted from the radially collapsed condition to the radially expanded condition. A dilator may also to expand the bore formed by the side port from an initial inner diameter to a larger expanded inner diameter. A second, lateral expandable prosthesis can also be coupled to the first expandable prosthesis at a location adjacent to the side port and engaged by the dilator or access device extending through the side port.