| abstract |
Described here is a balloon catheter system, a very low profile medical device system having one or more adjustable length and/or adjustable diameter components, (e.g., balloons), system accessories, and system components. Also described are methods for using the variations of the system and its parts, such as by performing procedures, such as dilatation and other methods clear from the description, and for placing implants such as stents or occlusive members into tubular organs, open regions of the body, and other body sites. The diameter and effective length of the implanted stents may, in some variations, be chosen during the procedure without removing the device, or any of its constituent parts, from the patient typically by expanding or inflating a member perhaps in combination with restraint of at least some portion of an expandable member. The system generally includes either or both of: a.) a balloon catheter having at least one balloon, generally distally located, and b.) at least one balloon integral with a guide member, which balloons are adjustable in length and optionally in diameter. The system may be used to introduce and to deploy implants of types such as those that maintain the patency of an open anatomical structure, install a graft, occlude a selected volume, isolate a region, treat a region in a lumen with a surgical procedure or medicinal materials, or collect other (desirable or undesirable) occlusive members at a site. |