System, apparatus, and method for creating a lumen

Abstract

A method of performing angioplasty includes accessing an artery, inserting a tubular balloon into to the artery in a low-profile operating mode, the tubular balloon constrained in a generally helical shape, and forming a lumen within the generally helical shape by expanding the tubular balloon into a high-profile operating mode. A system for creating a lumen is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of performing angioplasty, the method comprising:
 accessing an artery;   inserting a tubular balloon into to the artery in a low-profile operating mode, the tubular balloon constrained in a generally helical shape; and   forming a lumen within the generally helical shape by expanding the tubular balloon into a high-profile operating mode.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the artery is accessed transradially. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the artery is accessed transfemorally. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of implanting a stent into the artery via the lumen. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of forming the lumen is performed adjacent a blockage or narrowing of the artery, and causes the artery to open. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular balloon is expanded into the high-profile operating mode by inflating the tubular balloon. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular balloon is constrained in the generally helical shape by a matrix. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein in the matrix comprises a weave. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the matrix comprises at least one thermally formed connection. 
     
     
         10 . A system for creating a lumen, comprising:
 a tubular balloon, the tubular balloon operable in a low-profile operating mode and a high-profile operating mode;   a matrix constraining the tubular balloon in a generally helical shape, the matrix comprising a weave; and   wherein the tubular balloon has a first diameter in a low-profile operating mode and a second diameter in a high-profile operating mode, and the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the weave further comprises at least one thread. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the matrix comprises between ten and twelve threads. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the between ten and twelve threads are uniformly distributed about the helix. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one thread is 0.002 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the matrix further comprises at least one of a medicinal component and a nutritional component. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , where in the matrix comprises a medicinal component, and the medicinal component is a vaso-active agent. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , where in the matrix comprises a medicinal component, and the medicinal component is a drug coating that prevent intimal hyperplasia. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular balloon is deflated in the low-profile operating mode and is inflated in the high-profile operating mode. 
     
     
         19 . A system for creating a lumen, comprising:
 a tubular balloon, the tubular balloon operable in a low-profile operating mode and a high-profile operating mode;   a matrix constraining the tubular balloon in a generally helical shape, the matrix comprising at least one thermally formed connection; and   wherein the tubular balloon has a first diameter in a low-profile operating mode and a second diameter in a high-profile operating mode, and the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one thermally formed connection is between a first pass of the tubular balloon and a second pass of the tubular balloon adjacent the first pass of the tubular balloon.