Patent ID: 6056775
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A method for forming a bifurcated stent within a body lumen having a common portion and first and second branches communicating with the common portion at a juncture, comprising the steps of:providing a first tubular component stent open at each end, having a side opening between its ends, and being expandable radially from a low profile to an expanded configuration;providing a catheter having an expansion member at a distal end of the catheter and a guidewire duct having a guidewire port located between ends of the expansion member to enable a distal end of a guidewire to extend out of the guidewire port;mounting a first component stent on the expansion member with the side opening in registry with the guidewire port;advancing the assembly of the catheter and first component stent to the juncture of the common portion and first and second branches of the body lumen and with the side opening facing an entrance to the second branch, a proximal portion of the first component stent being disposed within the common portion of the body lumen and a distal portion of the first component stent being disposed in the first branch of the body lumen;operating the expansion member to expand the first component stent within the body lumen into engagement with an interior surface of the body lumen;advancing a guidewire through the guidewire duct, the guidewire port and into the second branch of the body lumen;while maintaining the guidewire in its position in the second branch of the body lumen, removing the catheter from the patient;advancing a second component stent in to the body lumen, guiding the second component stent by the guidewire to place at least a distal portion of the second component stent through the side opening of the first component stent and in the second branch of the body lumen; andexpanding the second component stent into engagement with an interior surface of the body lumen.