Directional expansion of intraluminal devices

Abstract

Methods and devices useful, for example, in the field of angioplasty and stenting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods, devices and kits are configured for directional expansion inside a lumen, for example of a blood vessel obstructed by plaque. In some embodiments, the directional expansion displaces the plaque in a desired direction.

1 . An expandable medical device comprising:
 a balloon catheter comprising a balloon having a resilient material with a thickness that varies along the length of said balloon, wherein a first section along the length of the balloon comprises thinner balloon material thereby providing lesser resistance to expansion, and a second section along the length of the balloon comprises thicker balloon material thereby providing greater resistance to expansion;   said balloon having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central section, wherein said balloon is configured for controlled, intraluminal, directional expansion within the lumen of a blood vessel.   
     
     
         2 . A method of performing an angioplasty procedure, comprising:
 a) introducing into a lumen of a blood vessel an expandable medical device comprising
 a balloon catheter comprising a balloon having a resilient material with a thickness that varies along the length of said balloon, wherein a first section along the length of the balloon comprises thinner balloon material thereby providing lesser resistance to expansion, and a second section along the length of the balloon comprises thicker balloon material thereby providing greater resistance to expansion; 
 said balloon having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central section, wherein said balloon is configured for controlled, intraluminal, directional expansion within said lumen; and 
   b) directionally expanding said balloon within said lumen.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said angioplasty is selected from the group consisting of peripheral angioplasty, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, renal artery angioplasty, carotid angioplasty, and cerebral artery angioplasty. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said directional expansion is selected from the group consisting of expansion from said distal end towards said proximal end; expansion from said proximal end towards said distal end; expansion from said proximal end and said distal end towards said central section; and expansion from said central section towards said proximal end and said distal end. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said balloon is configured to provide a varying resistance to expansion along the length of said device. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said balloon has two substantially equally tapered ends. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of balloon material at a first end of said balloon is greater than a thickness of balloon material at a second end of said balloon, such that said resistance to expansion is greater at said first end than at said second end. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of balloon material at said distal end and said proximal end of said balloon is less than a thickness of balloon material near a central section of said balloon, such that said resistance to expansion is greater near said central section than at said ends. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of balloon material at said distal end and said proximal end of said balloon is greater than a thickness of balloon material near a central section of said balloon, such that said resistance to expansion is greater at said ends than near said central section. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claims 1 , wherein said balloon comprises a more-tapered end and a less-tapered end. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said more tapered end comprises said distal end, such that said resistance increases from said distal end to said proximal end. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said more tapered end comprises said proximal end, such that said resistance increases from said proximal end to said distal end. 
     
     
         13 . An expandable medical device comprising:
 a balloon-expandable stent crimped onto a balloon with a varying crimping force, a varying crimping temperature, or varying crimping force and a varying crimping temperature along the length of said stent, said stent having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central section,   wherein said stent is configured for controlled, intraluminal, directional expansion within the lumen of a blood vessel.   
     
     
         14 . A method of performing an angioplasty procedure, comprising:
 a) introducing into a lumen of a blood vessel an expandable medical device comprising;
 a balloon-expandable stent crimped on to a balloon with a varying crimping force, a varying crimping temperature, or varying crimping force and a varying crimping temperature along the length of said stent, 
 said stent having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central section, wherein said stent is configured for controlled, intraluminal, directional expansion within said lumen; and 
   b) directionally expanding said balloon within said lumen.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said angioplasty is selected from the group consisting of peripheral angioplasty, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, renal artery angioplasty, carotid angioplasty, and cerebral artery angioplasty. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said crimping force, said crimping temperature, or said crimping force and said crimping temperature increase from said proximal end to said distal end, such that said directional expansion occurs from said proximal end to said distal end. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said crimping force, or said crimping force and said crimping temperature said crimping temperature increase tram said distal and to said proximal end, such that said directional expansion occurs from said distal end to said proximal end. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said crimping force, said crimping temperature, or said crimping force and said crimping temperature increase from said distal end and said proximal end to said central section, such that said directional expansion occurs from said distal end and said proximal end to said central section. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said crimping force, said crimping temperature, or said crimping force and said crimping temperature increase from central section to said distal end and said proximal end, such that said directional expansion occurs from said central portion to said distal end and said proximal end. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 13 , said stent comprises a lesser amount of material at a section to be expanded first. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein said lesser amount of material comprises fewer stent struts. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein said lesser amount of material comprises thinner stent struts. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein said lesser amount of material is situated at said proximal end and increases towards said distal end, such that expansion of said stent occurs from said proximal end towards said distal end. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein said lesser amount of material is situated at said distal end and increases towards said proximal end, such that expansion of said stent occurs from said distal end towards said proximal end. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein said lesser amount of material is situated at said proximal end and said distal end, and increases towards said central portion, such that expansion of said stent occurs from said proximal end and said distal end towards said central portion. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein said lesser amount of material is situated at said central portion and increases towards said proximal end and said distal end, such that expansion of said stent occurs from near said central portion towards said proximal end and said distal end. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said expandable medical device further comprises an externally-placed expansion-preventing element. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein said externally-placed expansion preventing element comprises a removable, non-expandable sheath. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein said removable sheath is removed by pulling from said distal end towards said proximal end of said device, such that expansion occurs from said distal end to said proximal end. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein said removable sheath is removed by pushing from said proximal end towards said distal end of said device, such that expansion occurs from said proximal end to said distal end. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein said externally-placed expansion preventing element comprises a longitudinal coil having a varying amount of strength along its length, such that a varying amount of resistance is provided to opening of said intraluminal device. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein said externally-placed expansion preventing element comprises a degradable element positioned so as to cause constriction of at least a section of said intraluminal device, such that expansion of said constricted section occurs upon degradation of said degradable element. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein said degradable element is selected from the group consisting of a heat degradable element, a biologically degradable element, a pH degradable element and an enzymatically degradable element. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein said externally-placed expansion preventing element comprises a frangible element positioned so as to cause constriction of at least a section of said intraluminal device, such that expansion of said constricted section occurs upon breaking of said degradable element. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said directional expansion leads to displacement of a plaque in a desired direction. 
     
     
         36 . An expandable medical device comprising:
 a) a balloon catheter comprising a balloon having a resilient material with a thickness that varies along the length of said balloon, wherein a first section along the length of the balloon comprises thinner balloon material thereby providing lesser resistance to expansion, and a second section along the length of the balloon comprises thicker balloon material thereby providing greater resistance to expansion; and   b) a balloon-expandable stent;   said device having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central section, wherein said device is configured for controlled, intraluminal, directional expansion within the lumen of a blood vessel.   
     
     
         37 . A method of performing an angioplasty procedure, comprising:
 a) introducing into a lumen of a blood vessel an expandable medical device comprising
 i) a balloon catheter comprising a balloon having a resilient material with a thickness that varies along the length of said balloon, wherein a first section along the length of the balloon comprises thinner balloon material thereby providing lesser resistance to expansion, and a second section along the length of the balloon comprises thicker balloon material thereby providing greater resistance to expansion; and 
 ii) a balloon-expandable stent; 
 said device having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central section, wherein said device is configured for controlled, intraluminal, directional expansion within said lumen; and 
   b) directionally expanding said device within said lumen.   
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein said directional expansion is selected from the group consisting of expansion from said distal end towards said proximal end; expansion from said proximal end towards said distal end; expansion from said proximal end and said distal end towards said central section; and expansion from said central section towards said proximal end and said distal end.