Balloon fold design for deployment of bifurcated stent petal architecture
First Claim
1. A balloon catheter comprising a balloon inflation system, the balloon inflation system comprising a side branch balloon structure, capable of at least partially expanding a side branch structure of a bifurcated stent, wherein:
- the side branch balloon structure has an inflated configuration having a radial end, a luminal end and a side wall there between, where the radial end is distal from the luminal end and the luminal end is abutting the balloon catheter and;
an un-inflated configuration and when in the un-inflated configuration the side branch balloon structure is in-folded in a pleated or overlapping fold pattern from a cup fold where the radial end is flush with the luminal end and the side wall extends entirely around a cavity having an open end opposite the radial end, wherein the pleated or overlapping fold pattern permits orderly unfolding when the side branch is inflated;
wherein the side branch balloon structure is in the un-inflated configuration.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A balloon fold design for efficient expansion of a side branch assembly in a bifurcated stent. The design involves forming a cup arrangement by folding the radial end of the side branch balloon structure into the luminal end of the side branch balloon structure and then folding the cup down into an orderly discus arrangement. The folding pattern allows for the side branch balloon structure to inflate in a sweeping rotational manner efficiently pushing the side branch assembly petals out and away from the main body of the stent with a low risk of the balloon becoming entangled or damaged by its contact with the petals. The design also allows for the expansion force to be applied at the appropriate time in the optimally needed direction by initially being oriented in a predominantly circumferential direction which is gradually shifting to a predominantly radial direction. In addition, the fold design reduces the overall volume and profile of the side branch balloon structure.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A balloon catheter comprising a balloon inflation system, the balloon inflation system comprising a side branch balloon structure, capable of at least partially expanding a side branch structure of a bifurcated stent, wherein:
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the side branch balloon structure has an inflated configuration having a radial end, a luminal end and a side wall there between, where the radial end is distal from the luminal end and the luminal end is abutting the balloon catheter and; an un-inflated configuration and when in the un-inflated configuration the side branch balloon structure is in-folded in a pleated or overlapping fold pattern from a cup fold where the radial end is flush with the luminal end and the side wall extends entirely around a cavity having an open end opposite the radial end, wherein the pleated or overlapping fold pattern permits orderly unfolding when the side branch is inflated; wherein the side branch balloon structure is in the un-inflated configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A balloon catheter comprising a balloon inflation system, the balloon inflation system comprising a side branch balloon structure, capable of at least partially expanding a side branch structure of a bifurcated stent, wherein:
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the side branch balloon structure has an inflated configuration having a radial end, a luminal end and a side wall there between, where the radial end is distal from the luminal end and the luminal end is abutting the balloon catheter and; an un-inflated configuration and when in the un-inflated configuration the side branch balloon structure is in-folded in a pleated or overlapping fold pattern from a cup fold where the radial end is flush with the luminal end, wherein the pleated or overlapping fold pattern permits orderly unfolding in which the folded pattern allows for at least a portion of the side branch balloon structure to inflate by first primarily expanding in a circumferential direction away from a center of the side branch balloon structure and later primarily expanding in a radial direction when the side branch is inflated;
wherein the side branch balloon structure is in the un-inflated configuration.
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Specification