Patent ID: 6013085
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
An endovascular method for treating a stenosis of a carotid artery of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:providing a first catheter comprising a first balloon at a distal end thereof, the catheter having a first lumen therein;positioning the first catheter in the carotid artery of the patient so that the first balloon is downstream from the stenosis;inflating the first balloon in the carotid artery downstream from the stenosis to block the carotid artery to provide cerebral protection for the patient and to anchor the distal end of the first catheter in the carotid artery;inserting an elongate stiffening member in the first lumen of the first catheter after inflating the first balloon to stiffen the first catheter to define a catheter guide;providing a second catheter comprising a second balloon at a distal end thereof;positioning the second balloon at the stenosis by sliding the second catheter over the catheter guide while cerebral protection is provided by the inflated first balloon;inflating the second balloon to expand the stenosis while cerebral protection is provided by the inflated first balloon;placing a stent at the expanded stenosis while cerebral protection is maintained by the inflated first balloon; anddeflating the first balloon to re-establish blood flow and withdrawing the first catheter from the patient.