Patent ID: 9498362
Filing Date: 2016-11-22
CPC Classification: A61F

Claim Text:
1. A method of treating a narrowing of a bifurcated vessel, the bifurcated vessel having a main vessel, a branch vessel and an opening formed between the branch vessel and the main vessel, the method comprising: deploying a stent in the main vessel across the opening to the branch vessel; using a first guide wire, positioning an uninflated balloon in the stent; accessing a wedge wire having a first portion with a proximate end, a distal portion with a distal end, and a wedge portion proximate the distal end, wherein the wedge portion has a thickness greater than the rest of the wedge wire, and wherein the wedge portion is located between the first portion of the wedge wire and the distal portion of the wedge wire is configured to connect the first portion and the distal portion; maneuvering the distal end of the wedge wire through a sidewall of the stent and through the opening into the branch vessel until the wedge portion of the wedge wire is positioned in the opening; and inflating the balloon to enlarge the stent while using the wedge portion of the wedge wire to maintain pendency in the opening.