Stent installation method using balloon catheter having stepped compliance curve

• US 20020183780A1
• Filed: 05/21/2002
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lixiao Wang
• Original Assignee: Lixiao Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Lixiao
• Application Number:
  US10/153,277
• Publication Number:
  US 20020183780A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/194
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 differing in diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1059 having different inflatable sections mainly depending on the response to the inflation pressure, e.g. due to different material properties with different compartments A61M2025/1072
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1075 having a balloon composed of several layers, e.g. by coating or embedding
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1029 Production methods of the balloon members, e.g. blow-moulding, extruding, deposition or by wrapping a plurality of layers of balloon material around a mandril
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/104 used for angioplasty

Abstract

A balloon catheter suitable for deploying a stent utilizes a balloon molded with a stepped diameter profile.

Claims

1. A balloon for a medical catheter, the balloon having a molded configuration with a longitudinal axis, the balloon configuration, when viewed in longitudinal quarter section, comprises:

first and second waist segments spaced longitudinally apart from each other and defining a longitudinally intermediate region therebetween, each waist segment being bonded to the catheter,

first and second step segments within said intermediate region and spaced longitudinally apart from each other, each being and spaced radially from the longitudinal axis and from said waist segments, the second step segment being spaced radially from the longitudinal axis a greater distance than the first segment,

a first diverging portion extending between the first waist segment and the first step segment,

a second diverging portion extending between the first step segment and the second step segment, and

a transition portion extending between the second step segment and the second waist segment.

2. A balloon as in claim 1 wherein said balloon transition portion comprises

a third step segment, within said intermediate region and spaced longitudinally apart from the second step segment and from the second waist segment in a region therebetween,

a third diverging portion extending between the second step segment and the third step segment, and

a fourth diverging portion extending between the third step segment and the second waist segment.

3. A balloon as in claim 1 wherein said balloon transition portion consists of a third diverging portion extending between the second step segment and the second waist segment and which, when moving from the second step segment to the second waist portion, continuously decreases in distance from the longitudinal axis.

4. A balloon as in claim 1 wherein said step portions extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis.

5. A balloon catheter assembly comprising a an elongate tubular body, a distal end and a balloon as in claim 1 mounted thereon near the distal end thereof.

6. A balloon catheter as in claim 5 wherein the balloon is mounted on the catheter with the first step segment located proximally along the catheter relative to the second step segment.

7. A balloon catheter assembly as in claim 5 wherein the balloon is mounted on the catheter with the first step segment located distally along the catheter relative to the second step segment.

8. A balloon catheter as in claim 5 wherein said balloon transition portion consists of a third diverging portion extending between the second step segment and the second waist segment and which, when moving from the second step segment to the second waist portion, continuously decreases in distance from the longitudinal axis.

9. A balloon catheter assembly as in claim 5 wherein said balloon transition portion comprises

a third step segment, within said intermediate region and spaced longitudinally apart from the second step segment and from the second waist segment in a region therebetween,

a third diverging portion extending between the second step segment and the third step segment, and

a fourth diverging portion extending between the third step segment and the second waist segment.

10. A balloon catheter assembly as in claim 5 further comprising an expandable stent mounted on the catheter over the balloon.