Stiffened balloon catheter for dilatation and stenting

• US 20060015133A1
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Grayzel, Joseph Grayzel
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Grayzel, Joseph Grayzel
• Inventors: Grayzel, Joseph, Grayzel, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,662,163 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/192
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22061 for spreading elements apart
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9583 Means for holding the stent on the balloon, e.g. using protrusions, adhesives or an outer sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1079 having radio-opaque markers in the region of the balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1084 having features for increasing the shape stability, the reproducibility or for limiting expansion, e.g. containments, wrapped around fibres, yarns or strands
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1086 having a special balloon surface topography, e.g. pores, protuberances, spikes or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/109 having balloons for removing solid matters, e.g. by grasping or scraping plaque, thrombus or other matters that obstruct the flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/104 used for angioplasty

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a stiffened balloon which can be used in angioplasty, endovascular, and valvuloplasty procedures or as a delivery balloon to deliver a stent or a stent-graft. Longitudinally discontinuous stiffening members connected to the expandable balloon stiffen the balloon but allow it to be navigated through curved passages. Projections on the stiffening members may engage, incise, crush, fracture, or pierce occlusions or retain a stent or stent-graft. Radio-opaque portions may be referenced to determine orientation. Longitudinally continuous stiffening members bearing projections and connected to the balloon perform in a similar manner.

Claims

1. A stiffened balloon comprising:

an expandable balloon including a plurality of longitudinally continuous stiffening members disposed along a perimeter of said balloon;

wherein said balloon is made of a flexible material;

wherein the stiffening members are less flexible than said balloon;

wherein each stiffening member affects a configuration of an area of said perimeter; and

wherein at least one of the stiffening members includes a pivot point where the stiffening member may be bent to facilitate navigation of the balloon through a passage.

2. The balloon of claim 1 wherein at least one of the stiffening members has includes a plurality of pivot points where the stiffening member may be bent to facilitate navigation of the balloon through a passage.

3. The balloon of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of one of the stiffening members has a cross-section with a perimeter that includes a curvilinear portion.

4. The balloon of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of one of the stiffening members has a regular polygonal cross-section.

5. The balloon of claim 1 wherein at least one of the stiffening members is disposed along the perimeter of only a limited longitudinal region of said balloon.

6. The balloon of claim 5 wherein said limited longitudinal region has a length no greater than three-quarters of a length of a cylindrical section of said balloon.

7. The balloon of claim 1 wherein at least one of the stiffening members is located entirely within a wall of said balloon.

8. The balloon of claim 1 wherein a portion of at least one of the stiffening members is radio-opaque.

9. The balloon of claim 1 wherein at least one of the stiffening members includes a projection adapted to temporarily retain a device at said balloon.

10. The balloon of claim 9 wherein said device is a stent.

11. The balloon of claim 9 wherein said device is a stent-graft.

12. The balloon of claim 1 wherein at least one of the stiffening members includes at least one projection.

13. The balloon of claim 1 wherein said at least one projection is substantially pointed.

14. The balloon of claim 1 wherein said at least one projection is sufficiently sharp to pierce an occlusive material.

15. The balloon of claim 1 wherein said at least one projection is sufficiently sharp to penetrate a vessel wall.