Fluid charging mechanism for balloon catheter system
First Claim
1. A catheter system comprising:
- a catheter defining an internal lumen;
a balloon mounted on the catheter, the balloon defining an internal chamber in fluid communication with the lumen;
a charging mechanism including a closed reservoir, a passage, and an actuator to charge and discharge the balloon with at least a portion of a volume of fluid contained in the closed reservoir, wherein the closed reservoir is in fluid communication with the lumen via the passage and substantially sealed from an environment outside the catheter system; and
a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the lumen to sense a pressure of the fluid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In general, the invention is directed to a balloon catheter system for intra-luminal or intra-cavity pressure measurements. In accordance with the invention, the balloon catheter system provides a closed fluid charging mechanism to charge and discharge a balloon mounted on the catheter. More particularly, the charging mechanism may include a closed reservoir, a passage, and an actuator that acts to drive fluid out of the reservoir and through the passage. A lumen within a catheter may transport fluid from the passage to charge the balloon. The pressure monitoring catheter system may take pressure measurements when the balloon is charged. Discharging the balloon may include withdrawing the actuator from the charging mechanism, which fills the reservoir with fluid from the balloon. In addition, a seal member may be used in the pressure monitoring catheter system to provide a more sealed environment for holding and transporting fluid.
28 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A catheter system comprising:
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a catheter defining an internal lumen;
a balloon mounted on the catheter, the balloon defining an internal chamber in fluid communication with the lumen;
a charging mechanism including a closed reservoir, a passage, and an actuator to charge and discharge the balloon with at least a portion of a volume of fluid contained in the closed reservoir, wherein the closed reservoir is in fluid communication with the lumen via the passage and substantially sealed from an environment outside the catheter system; and
a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the lumen to sense a pressure of the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method comprising:
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placing a catheter into a patient, wherein the catheter includes an internal lumen and a balloon defining an interior chamber in fluid communication with the lumen;
sensing a first pressure within the lumen;
charging the balloon with at least a portion of a volume of fluid contained within a closed reservoir; and
sensing a second pressure within the lumen. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A catheter system comprising:
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a catheter defining an internal lumen;
a balloon mounted on the catheter, the balloon defining an internal chamber in fluid communication with the lumen;
means for charging the balloon with at least a portion of a volume of fluid contained within a closed reservoir, wherein the reservoir is substantially sealed from an environment outside the catheter system; and
means for sensing a pressure of the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A catheter body for a balloon catheter system, the catheter body comprising:
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a first fitting to couple the catheter body to a catheter;
a second fitting to couple the catheter body to a sensor body;
a charging mechanism including a closed reservoir, a passage, and an actuator to charge and discharge a balloon mounted on the catheter via a lumen with at least a portion of a volume of fluid contained in the closed reservoir, wherein the closed reservoir is in fluid communication with the lumen via the passage and substantially sealed from an environment outside the balloon catheter system.
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37. A sensor body for a balloon catheter system, the sensor body comprising:
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a first fitting to couple the sensor body to a catheter body;
a second fitting to couple the sensor body to a monitor;
a charging mechanism including a closed reservoir, a passage, and an actuator to charge and discharge a balloon mounted on the catheter via a lumen with at least a portion of a volume of fluid contained in the closed reservoir, wherein the closed reservoir is in fluid communication with the lumen via the passage and substantially sealed from an environment outside the balloon catheter system.
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38. An intermediate charging body for a balloon catheter system, the charging body comprising:
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a first fitting to couple the charging body to a catheter body coupled to a balloon catheter;
a second fitting to couple the charging body to a sensor body;
a charging mechanism including a closed reservoir, a passage, and an actuator to charge and discharge a balloon mounted on the catheter via a lumen with at least a portion of a volume of fluid contained in the closed reservoir, wherein the closed reservoir is in fluid communication with the lumen via the passage and substantially sealed from an environment outside the balloon catheter system.
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Specification