Exitable lumen guide wire sheath and method of use

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for and method of treatment or vascular procedures. An exitable lumen guide wire sheath is disclosed and advantages thereof. The exitable lumen guide wire sheath and method may be used as a multiple exitable lumen or single exitable lumen. A method of treatment of multiple branch vascular lesions is disclosed in which a desired branch of a multiple branch lesion may be protected for further procedures by an interventionalist or other practitioner. Other combinations and uses for the disclosed invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

1 . (canceled).  
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for treating multi-branch vascular lesions comprising: 
 a selected length of an exitable lumen guide wire sheath;    a stent; and    a balloon catheter.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the balloon catheter contains a shaft.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the selected length of the exitable lumen guidewire sheath is coupled to the balloon catheter shaft.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein a portion of the selected length of the exitable lumen guide wire sheath is inserted through a portion of the stent.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the stent has been predilated to accept the portion of the selected length of the exitable lumen guide wire sheath and then crimped to capture the portion of the selected length of exitable lumen guide wire sheath in the stent.  
   
   
       7 . A method for treating a multiple branch lesion comprising the steps of: 
 gaining access to a major vessel;    inserting a first guide wire toward the multiple branch lesion;    inserting another guide wire for each additional branch to be treated; and    delivering a intra-vascular medical device with a selected length of exitable lumen guide wire sheath.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the multiple branch lesion has been pre-identified.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the intra-vascular medical device with a selected length of exitable lumen guide wire sheath is comprised of the selected length of exitable lumen guide wire sheath coupled to the shaft of a balloon catheter and inserted through a portion of a stent on the balloon catheter and the selected length of exitable lumen guide wire sheath.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the selected length of exitable lumen sheath may contain a multiple of exitable lumens.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the stent is crimped to capture the selected length of exitable lumen guidewire sheath.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the intra-vascular medical device with a selected length of exitable lumen is back loaded on to the guide wires and advanced to the multiple branch lesion.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the medical devise with the selected length of exitable lumen guidewire sheath is positioned at the multiple branch lesion such that the selected length of exitable lumen guidewire sheath enters a desired branch of the multiple branch lesion.