Stent delivery system and method of use

A catheterization kit comprising:

• a guide catheter;
• a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end;
• an inflatable balloon disposed at the distal end of the tubular member;
• a first lumen disposed in the tubular member and in communication with an interior of the inflatable balloon;
• a second lumen disposed in the tubular member for receiving a guidewire along at least a portion of its length, the second lumen having a first opening in a proximal region of the tubular member;
• a first slit disposed longitudinally in the tubular member and extending along at least a portion of the tubular member, the first slit comprising a first pair of longitudinal edges in a side by side relationship, the tubular member being constructed of a resilient material such that, as the guidewire is separated from the second lumen, the longitudinal edges are biased open from a first position to a second position having a gap greater than or equal a diameter of the guidewire, wherein the second lumen:
• (i) further comprises a second opening disposed between a distal end of the first slit and the inflatable balloon, and (ii) is circumferentially continuous in the region of the tubular member between the second opening and the inflatable balloon;
• and
• an adapter attached to the proximal region of the tubular member, the adaptor comprising a valve having a second slit and third lumen for receiving the guidewire, the second lumen and the third lumen in communication with one another, the second slit being narrower than the maximum dimension of the third lumen.

A stent-mounted balloon catheter comprising:

• a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end;
• an inflatable balloon disposed at the distal end of the tubular member;
• a first lumen disposed in the tubular member and in communication with an interior of the inflatable balloon;
• a second lumen disposed in the tubular member for receiving a guidewire along at least a portion of its length, the second lumen having a first opening in a proximal region of the tubular member;
• a first slit disposed longitudinally in the tubular member and extending along at least a portion of the tubular member, the first slit comprising a first pair of longitudinal edges in a side by side relationship, the tubular member being constructed of a resilient material such that, as the guidewire is separated from the second lumen, the longitudinal edges are biased open from a first position to a second position having a gap greater than or equal a diameter of the guidewire, wherein the second lumen:
• (i) further comprises a second opening disposed between a distal end of the first slit and the inflatable balloon, and (ii) is circumferentially continuous in the region of the tubular member between the second opening and the inflatable balloon;
• an adapter attached to the proximal region of the tubular member, the adaptor comprising a valve having a second slit and third lumen for receiving the guidewire, the second lumen and the third lumen in communication with one another, the second slit being narrower than the maximum dimension of the third lumen;
• and
• a stent mounted on the inflatable balloon of the catheter.