DIRECTIONAL EXPANSION OF INTRALUMINAL DEVICES

예컨대 혈관 확장술과 스텐트의 기술 분야에서 유용한 방법 및 장치가 개시된다. 일실시예에서, 상기 방법, 장치 및 키트(kit)는 예를 들면 플라크에 의해 막힌 혈관의 루멘 내측에서 지향성 팽창되도록 형성된다. 일실시예에서, 상기 지향성 팽창은 원하는 방향으로 상기 플라크를 이동시킨다. An expandable intraluminal medical device is disclosed that comprises a balloon catheter for directional displacement of an obstruction within a lumen of a bodily vessel. The balloon catheter includes an expandable balloon having a proximal end and a distal end and is configured for controlled directional expansion from one end to the other end within the lumen of a blood vessel. The expandable balloon has a more tapered end and a less tapered end. The more tapered end can be either the distal end or the proximal end such that the resistance to expansion increases, and the balloon expands, from either end to the other end. The expandable balloon is thereby configured for controlled, intraluminal directional expansion from one end to the other said end within the lumen of a blood vessel allowing directional displacement of an obstruction within the lumen of the blood vessel.