SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING A STENT TO A BIFURCATED VESSEL

摘要

A stent delivery catheter system (10) for accurately positioning a stent in a bifurcated vessel is disclosed. The system includes a catheter (12) having a terminal portion and distal tip (16) that is placed in a main branch (42) of the vessel proximate the bifurcation (45). A fixed guidewire (26) is attached to distal tip (16). A port (22) is defined in the terminal portion of the catheter. The port is aligned with an ostium (46) of a side branch (44) of the bifurcated vessel to allow the passage of a stent delivery device, such as a balloon catheter (50) having a stent (54) crimped thereon, into the side branch (44). Radiopaque bands (24) are positioned on opposite ends of the port (22). A positioning balloon (18) is included on a surface of the catheter (12) opposite the port (22) and is selectively inflatable to position the radiopaque bands (24) adjacent the side branch ostium (46). The radiopaque bands (24) are referenced to place the stent proximate the side branch ostium (46).