Joined Inflation Portions for Bifurcation Catheter

Abstract

An example multi-lumen member forming dual inflation portions of a catheter assembly for treating bifurcated vessels includes a main tube defining a main lumen and a main inflation portion. The member includes a side tube defining a side lumen and a side inflation portion, the side tube extending along at least a first length of the main tube. The member also includes a portion extending along the first length of the main tube and coupling the main tube to the side tube to form a dual lumen configuration.

1 . A multi-lumen member forming dual inflation portions of a catheter assembly for treating bifurcated vessels, the member comprising:
 (a) a main tube defining a main lumen and a main inflation portion;   (b) a side tube defining a side lumen and a side inflation portion, the side tube extending along at least a first length of the main tube; and   (c) a portion extending along the first length of the main tube and coupling the main tube to the side tube to form a dual lumen configuration.   
   
   
       2 . The multi-lumen member of  claim 1 , wherein the main tube and the side tube are extruded to form an integrated unit. 
   
   
       3 . The multi-lumen member of  claim 2 , wherein the multi-lumen member comprises a polymeric material. 
   
   
       4 . The multi-lumen member of  claim 1 , wherein a distal portion of the side tube is separated from the main tube at the portion. 
   
   
       5 . The multi-lumen member of  claim 4 , wherein a distal end of the distal portion of the side tube is a free end. 
   
   
       6 . The multi-lumen member of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 (d) a bushing coupled to the distal portion of the side tube, the bushing being configured to seal with respect to a guidewire extending through the side tube and the bushing.   
   
   
       7 . A dual balloon system for a catheter assembly for deployment in a bifurcated vessel, the system comprising:
 (a) a main tube defining a main lumen and a main inflation portion;   (b) a side tube defining a side lumen and a side inflation portion, the side tube extending along the main tube; and   (c) a portion coupling the main tube to the side tube to form a dual lumen configuration, wherein a distal portion of the portion is severed to separate a distal length of the side tube from the main tube.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the system is coupled to the catheter assembly so that the main inflation portion is positioned to expand a stent carried by the catheter system, and wherein the side inflation portion is positioned to expand an expandable structure of the stent. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the main tube, the side tube, and the portion are extruded. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the system comprises a polymeric material. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein a distal end of the distal length of the side tube is a free end. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 (d) a bushing coupled to the free end of the distal length of the side tube, the bushing being configured to seal with respect to a guidewire of the catheter assembly that extends through the side tube and the bushing.   
   
   
       13 . A method of forming a dual balloon system for a catheter assembly for deployment in a bifurcated vessel, the method comprising:
 (a) extruding a multi-lumen member including a main tube and a side tube that are joined at a portion to form an integrated unit, the main tube defining a main lumen, and the side tube defining a side lumen;   (b) separating a distal portion of the side tube from the main tube at the portion;   (c) forming a main inflation portion in the main tube; and   (d) forming a side inflation portion in the side tube.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein (c) forming the main inflation portion and (d) forming the side inflation portion further comprises:
 (i) introducing a first mandrel into the main tube, and a second mandrel into the second tube; and   (ii) heating the main tube and the side tube.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein (c) forming the main inflation portion and (d) forming the side inflation portion further comprises:
 (iii) placing the multi-lumen member into a mold;   (iv) inflating the main inflation portion and the side inflation portion;   and   (v) stretching the multi-lumen member.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein (c) forming the main inflation portion and (d) forming the side inflation portion further comprises:
 (i) placing the multi-lumen member into a mold;   (ii) inflating the main inflation portion and the side inflation portion;   and   (iii) stretching the multi-lumen member.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a distal end of the distal portion of the side tube is a free end. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 (e) coupling a bushing to the free end of the distal portion of the side tube, the bushing being configured to seal with respect to a guidewire of the catheter assembly that extends through the side tube and the bushing.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein (a) extruding the multi-lumen member further comprises extruding the multi-lumen member using a polymeric material. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 (e) coupling the dual balloon system to the catheter assembly so that the main inflation portion is positioned to expand a stent carried by the catheter system, and the side inflation portion is positioned to expand an expandable structure of the stent.