IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,690,994
Granted Patent B2
US 12,690,994 · App. 18/067,321 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

Bifurcated balloon catheters and methods of use

Inventor: Stefan Georg Schreck (South Jordan, UT)
Assignee: Restore Endosystems, LLC
A61F2/954A61F2/958A61M2025/1045
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,690,994
App. No.
18/067,321
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Balloon catheters for treating a diseased bifurcated blood vessel that includes a catheter hub, a proximal balloon hub, a distal balloon hub, a catheter tip, a catheter shaft comprising a proximal shaft and a distal shaft, and a bifurcated balloon assembly with a first balloon and second balloon that are substantially parallel. A proximal end of the proximal shaft is connected to the catheter hub and a distal end of the proximal shaft is connected to the proximal balloon hub. A proximal end of the distal shaft is connected to the distal balloon hub and a distal end of the distal shaft is connected the catheter tip. A proximal end of the first balloon is connected to the proximal balloon hub, a distal end of the first balloon is connected to the distal balloon hub, and a distal end of the second balloon is connected to the distal balloon hub.

Claims (67)

1 . A balloon catheter for treating a diseased bifurcated blood vessel, the balloon catheter comprising:

a catheter hub;

a proximal balloon hub;

a distal balloon hub;

a catheter tip;

a catheter shaft comprising a proximal shaft and a distal shaft, wherein a proximal end of the proximal shaft is connected to the catheter hub and a distal end of the proximal shaft is connected to the proximal balloon hub, a proximal end of the distal shaft is connected to the distal balloon hub and a distal end of the distal shaft is connected to the catheter tip;

a bifurcated balloon assembly comprising a first balloon and a second balloon, wherein the first balloon and the second balloon are arranged substantially in parallel;

a first lumen that extends from a first port of the catheter hub through the proximal shaft, the proximal balloon hub, the first balloon, the distal balloon hub, the distal shaft, and the catheter tip; and

a second lumen that extends from a second port of the catheter hub through the proximal shaft, and the proximal balloon hub to a distal opening in the proximal balloon hub,

wherein a proximal end of the first balloon is connected to the proximal balloon hub, a distal end of the first balloon is connected to the distal balloon hub, and a distal end of the second balloon is connected to the distal balloon hub.

2 . The balloon catheter of claim 1 , further comprising a third lumen that extends from a third port of the catheter hub through the proximal shaft, the proximal balloon hub, the first balloon, and the distal balloon hub to a distal opening in the distal balloon hub.

3 . The balloon catheter of claim 2 , further comprising a fourth lumen that extends from a fourth port of the catheter hub through the proximal shaft, the proximal balloon hub, the first balloon, the distal balloon hub, a cavity of the distal balloon hub, and into the second balloon,

wherein a portion of the fourth lumen is formed by the proximal shaft.

4 . The balloon catheter of claim 3 , further comprising a fifth lumen that extends from the distal opening in the distal balloon hub through the distal balloon hub and the second balloon to a contralateral tip of the second balloon.

5 . The balloon catheter of claim 4 , further comprising a sixth lumen formed by the distal shaft,

wherein the sixth lumen extends from the proximal end of the distal shaft to the catheter tip.

6 . The balloon catheter of claim 5 , further comprising a contralateral guidewire assembly comprising:

a first guidewire that extends through the third lumen into the sixth lumen;

a second guidewire that extends from the sixth lumen through the fifth lumen and proximally beyond the contralateral tip of the second balloon; and

a connector coupled to the first guidewire and to the second guidewire, the connector is housed within the sixth lumen.

7 . The balloon catheter of claim 6 , wherein the second guidewire extends into the distal opening of the proximal balloon hub and the second lumen.

8 . The balloon catheter of claim 6 , wherein a proximal pull on a proximal end of the first guidewire proximally translates the connector and proximally translates the second guidewire.

9 . The balloon catheter of claim 6 , wherein a distal push on a proximal end of the first guidewire distally translates the connector and distally translates the second guidewire.

10 . The balloon catheter of claim 5 , further comprising a tether that extends from the second port through the second lumen and out of the distal opening of the proximal balloon hub and configured to connect to the contralateral tip of the second balloon.

11 . The balloon catheter of claim 10 , wherein a distal end of the tether comprises a loop snare configured to connect to the second guidewire.

12 . The balloon catheter of claim 10 , further comprising a loop attached at the proximal end of the first balloon, wherein the tether extends out of the second lumen through the loop and is coupled to the contralateral tip of the second balloon.

13 . The balloon catheter of claim 5 , further comprising:

a first tether that extends from the second port through the second lumen and out of the distal opening of the proximal balloon hub and is coupled to the contralateral tip of the second balloon; and

a second tether that extends from the second port through the second lumen and out of the distal opening of the proximal balloon hub and is coupled to the contralateral tip of the second balloon,

wherein the first tether wraps clockwise around a proximal portion of the first balloon and the second tether wraps counterclockwise around the proximal portion of the first balloon.

14 . A bifurcated stent assembly for placing a bifurcated stent into a diseased bifurcated blood vessel, the bifurcated stent assembly comprising:

a catheter hub;

a proximal balloon hub;

a distal balloon hub;

a catheter tip;

a catheter shaft comprising a proximal shaft and a distal shaft, wherein a proximal end of the proximal shaft is connected to the catheter hub and a distal end of the proximal shaft is connected to the proximal balloon hub, a proximal end of the distal shaft is connected to the distal balloon hub and a distal end of the distal shaft is connected the catheter tip;

a bifurcated balloon assembly comprising a first balloon and a second balloon, wherein the first balloon and the second balloon are arranged substantially in parallel;

a first lumen that extends from a first port of the catheter hub through the proximal shaft, the proximal balloon hub, the first balloon, the distal balloon hub, the distal shaft, and the catheter tip;

a second lumen that extends from a second port of the catheter hub through the proximal shaft, and the proximal balloon hub to a distal opening in the proximal balloon hub; and

a bifurcated stent comprising a main body portion, a first branch portion, and a second branch portion,

wherein a proximal end of the first balloon is connected to the proximal balloon hub, a distal end of the first balloon is connected to the distal balloon hub, and a distal end of the second balloon is connected to the distal balloon hub, and

wherein the main body portion is disposed around distal portions of the first balloon and the second balloon, the first branch portion is disposed around a proximal portion of the first balloon, and the second branch portion is disposed around a proximal portion of the second balloon.

15 . The bifurcated stent assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a tether that extend through a lumen of the catheter hub through the proximal shaft, and the proximal balloon hub to a distal opening of the proximal balloon hub, wherein the tether extends through the first branch portion and curves into the second branch portion and is coupled to a contralateral tip of the second balloon.

16 . A method for placing a bifurcated stent into a diseased bifurcated blood vessel comprising:

advancing a bifurcated stent assembly over a guidewire to the bifurcated blood vessel through a first vessel, the bifurcated blood vessel comprising the first vessel, a second vessel, and a third vessel, the bifurcated stent assembly comprising:

a catheter hub;

a proximal balloon hub;

a distal balloon hub;

a catheter tip;

a catheter shaft comprising a proximal shaft and a distal shaft, wherein a proximal end of the proximal shaft is connected to the catheter hub and a distal end of the proximal shaft is connected to the proximal balloon hub, a proximal end of the distal shaft is connected to the distal balloon hub and a distal end of the distal shaft is connected the catheter tip;

a bifurcated balloon assembly comprising a first balloon and a second balloon, wherein the first balloon and the second balloon are arranged substantially in parallel, and wherein a proximal end of the second balloon has a contralateral tip;

a first lumen that extends from a first port of the catheter hub through the proximal shaft, the proximal balloon hub, the first balloon, the distal balloon hub, the distal shaft, and the catheter tip;

a second lumen that extends from a second port of the catheter hub through the proximal shaft, and the proximal balloon hub to a distal opening in the proximal balloon hub; and

a bifurcated stent comprising a main body portion, a first branch portion, and a second branch portion,

wherein a proximal end of the first balloon is connected to the proximal balloon hub, a distal end of the first balloon is connected to the distal balloon hub, and a distal end of the second balloon is connected to the distal balloon hub, and

wherein the main body portion is disposed around distal portions of the first balloon and the second balloon, the first branch portion is disposed around a proximal portion of the first balloon, and the second branch portion is disposed around a proximal portion of the second balloon;

advancing the bifurcated stent assembly into the second vessel until the contralateral tip clears the bifurcated blood vessel;

retracting a contralateral guidewire from the proximal balloon hub, the contralateral guidewire extends from the distal shaft through the distal balloon hub, the second balloon, the contralateral tip, and the proximal balloon hub;

extending the contralateral guidewire into the third vessel adjacent to the first vessel and the second vessel;

advancing the second balloon and the second branch portion into the second vessel and simultaneously retracting the first balloon and the first branch portion into the first vessel, wherein the first balloon and the second balloon are not parallel;

inflating the first balloon and the second balloon to expand the bifurcated stent against walls of the first vessel, the second vessel, and the third vessel;

deflating the first balloon and the second balloon;

advancing the first balloon and the second balloon into the second vessel;

pulling the second balloon against the first balloon so that the first balloon and the second balloon are substantially parallel; and

retracting the bifurcated stent assembly from the first vessel.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising injecting contrast medium through the proximal balloon hub into the second vessel after the contralateral tip clears the bifurcated blood vessel.

18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising injecting contrast medium through the proximal balloon hub into the second vessel after the bifurcated stent is deployed.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 22, 2023
From: SCHRECK, STEFAN GEORG
To: RESTORE ENDOSYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 065000/0019 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2023
From: RESTORE ENDOSYSTEMS, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 064370/0725 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2023
From: SCHRECK, STEFAN GEORG
To: RESTORE ENDOSYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063385/0196 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63291190 · Dec 17, 2021
Related Publication 20230190501A1 · Jun 22, 2023
References Cited (87)
US 5824055A · Spiridigliozzi et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 6017324A · Tu et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6045557A · White et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6086611A · Duffy et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6099497A · Adams et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6165195A · Wilson · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6355061B1 · Quiachon et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6537284B1 · Inoue · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6558396B1 · Inoue · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 7959667B2 · Ta et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8257431B2 · Henderson et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 9539083B2 · Krimsky et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 10219926B2 · Bourang et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20020077692A1 · Besselink · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20040049204A1 · Harari et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040127850A1 · Steadham et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040148007A1 · Jackson et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040176837A1 · Atladottir et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20040200978A1 · Kamijo · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20050043784A1 · Yampolsky et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050149168A1 · Gregorich · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050192656A1 · Eidenschink · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20050228472A1 · Case et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20060212113A1 · Shaolian et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20070118165A1 · Demello et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070142819A1 · El-Nounou et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070168020A1 · Brucker et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070213802A1 · Von et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070270769A1 · Wilson et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070299495A1 · Zukowski et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080051869A1 · Yribarren · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080103587A1 · Henderson et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080114438A1 · Hartley et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080125847A1 · Krever et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080133000A1 · Molony · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090012601A1 · Siu et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090124968A1 · Goshgarian · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090204083A1 · Odonnell et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090259288A1 · Wijay et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090259293A1 · Moloney · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090299453A1 · Arcand et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100106238A1 · Hilaire et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110208286A1 · Ta et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20130053940A1 · Suhr · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130123907A1 · Roeder et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130296997A1 · Kamat · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140214002A1 · Lieber et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140277353A1 · Hartley · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140324150A1 · Stephens et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150126986A1 · Kelly · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150250579A1 · Howard et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150289875A1 · Consigny et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20170007431A1 · Al-Saadon · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180015264A1 · Wang et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20200375724A1 · Perkins et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20210401566A1 · Geusen et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20220077692A1 · Myers et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220387200A1 · Kamat · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20230144448A1 · Schreck · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230146392A1 · Mottola et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230210679A1 · Schreck · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20240156622A1 · Hall et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 20240156627A1 · Adams et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
CN 102470029A · 2012 [cited by applicant]
EP 0965311A2 · 1999 [cited by applicant]
EP 1920734A2 · 2008 [cited by applicant]
EP 2068761B1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
JP 2003502080A · 2003 [cited by applicant]
WO 2000027307 · 2000 [cited by applicant]
WO 0143665A2 · 2000 [cited by applicant]
WO 2009131309A2 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
WO 2022060994A1 · 2022 [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jan. 14, 2022 for PCT/US2021/054258. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Apr. 19, 2023 for PCT/US2022/081847. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Feb. 4, 2022 for PCT/US2021/050688. [cited by applicant]
European Search Report dated Aug. 22, 2024 for EP21870220.7. [cited by applicant]
Partial European Search Report dated Sep. 25, 2024 for EP21878652.3. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Mar. 20, 2024 for PCT/US2023/079678. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Apr. 24, 2024 for PCT/US2023/079627. [cited by applicant]
European Search Report dated Dec. 16, 2024 for EP21878652.3. [cited by applicant]
Extended European Search Report dated Sep. 24, 2025 for EP22908768.9. [cited by applicant]
Office Action dated Nov. 4, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/177,027. [cited by applicant]
Office Action dated Jan. 28, 2026 for U.S. Appl. No. 17/929,260. [cited by applicant]
Office Action dated Mar. 11, 2026 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/508,539. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 16, 2026 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/177,027. [cited by applicant]
Office Action dated Mar. 24, 2026 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/509,005. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance dated May 12, 2026 for U.S. Appl. No. 17/929,260. [cited by applicant]