NEUROVASCULAR OTW PTA BALLOON CATHETER AND DELIVERY SYSTEM

1 . A neurovascular treatment method, comprising, in combination:

providing a balloon catheter and delivery system to an occlusion lodged above the cerotic artery, wherein said balloon catheter and delivery system comprises, in combination: a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said catheter comprises a delivery lumen, an inflation lumen, and a balloon disposed near said distal end of said catheter; and an expandable device at least partially disposed within said delivery lumen of said catheter, wherein said expandable device comprises a cage-like structure and a tether;

crossing an occlusion with said catheter, whereby a channel within said occlusion is created and said balloon is disposed within said channel of said occlusion;

inflating said balloon;

deflating said balloon;

retracting said catheter, whereby said cage-like structure is deployed within said channel of said occlusion; and

maintaining said channel of said occlusion with said cage-like structure.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein inflating said balloon enlarges said channel of said occlusion.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said cage-like structure expands upon retraction of said catheter.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein maintaining said channel of said occlusion provides improved vascular flow.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein maintaining said channel of said occlusion facilitates lysis of said occlusion.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein inflating said balloon is effectuated by provided fluid to said balloon through said inflation lumen.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising advancing said catheter to recapture said cage-like structure.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the occlusion is lodged in one of the internal cerotic artery, MCA, ACA, vertical or basilar vessels.

9 . A balloon catheter and delivery system, comprising, in combination:

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said catheter comprises a delivery lumen, an inflation lumen, and a balloon disposed near said distal end of said catheter; and

an expandable device at least partially disposed within said delivery lumen of said catheter, wherein said expandable device comprises a cage-like structure and a tether.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein said balloon catheter and delivery system is an over-the-wire (OTW) system.

11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein said balloon is a PTA balloon.

12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein said inflation lumen is configured to provide fluid communication between said proximal end of said catheter to said balloon.

13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein said tether is fixedly attached to said cage-like structure.

14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein said tether extends through said delivery lumen from said cage-like structure to said proximal end of said catheter.

15 . The system of claim 9 , for use above the carotid artery.

16 . The system of claim 9 , for use in the brain.

17 . A kit, comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said catheter comprises a delivery lumen, an inflation lumen, and a balloon disposed near said distal end of said catheter;

an expandable device at least partially disposed within said delivery lumen of said catheter, wherein said expandable device comprises a cage-like structure and a tether; and

directions for use.

18 . The kit of claim 17 , wherein said delivery lumen is coated with a liner selected from the group of lubricious coating consisting of PTFE, PET, polymers and combination there of.

19 . The kit of claim 17 , wherein said cage-like structure includes at least one of an everted end and a scalloped end near said tether.

20 . The kit of claim 17 , wherein said cage-like structure is coated with at least one drug to facilitate lysis of an occlusion.