BALLOON CATHETER WITH ENHANCED LOCATABILITY
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A balloon catheter for insertion in a vessel for treating a treatment area, comprising:
- a shaft;
an inflatable balloon attached to the shaft and having an interior; and
at least three radiopaque markings spaced along a longitudinal axis of the catheter in the interior of the balloon, wherein a first distance separating a first radiopaque marking from a second adjacent radiopaque marking is different from a second distance separating the second radiopaque marking from a third adjacent radiopaque marking;
wherein the balloon includes an uninflated midpoint location and an inflated midpoint location;
the shaft includes at least one radiopaque marking positioned at an offset location relative to the uninflated midpoint location,whereby on inflation of the balloon, the at least one radiopaque marking substantially aligns with the inflated midpoint location.
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Abstract
A balloon catheter for insertion in a vessel includes a catheter shaft and an inflatable balloon attached to the catheter shaft. Markings along a longitudinal axis of the catheter are provided in an interior of the balloon, such as for measuring a distance within the vessel. A first distance separating a first marking from a second adjacent marking may be different from a second distance separating the second marking from a third adjacent marking. The markings may also be used for ensuring the proper positioning of the balloon and, in particular, the working surface thereof, relative to a treatment area. Related methods are also disclosed.
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Citations
54 Claims
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1. A balloon catheter for insertion in a vessel for treating a treatment area, comprising:
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a shaft; an inflatable balloon attached to the shaft and having an interior; and at least three radiopaque markings spaced along a longitudinal axis of the catheter in the interior of the balloon, wherein a first distance separating a first radiopaque marking from a second adjacent radiopaque marking is different from a second distance separating the second radiopaque marking from a third adjacent radiopaque marking; wherein the balloon includes an uninflated midpoint location and an inflated midpoint location; the shaft includes at least one radiopaque marking positioned at an offset location relative to the uninflated midpoint location, whereby on inflation of the balloon, the at least one radiopaque marking substantially aligns with the inflated midpoint location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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7. (canceled)
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19. A balloon catheter for insertion in a vessel for treating a treatment area, comprising:
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a shaft; an inflatable balloon attached to the shaft, said inflatable balloon having an interior; at least three radiopaque markings extending along a longitudinal axis of the catheter and located within the interior of the balloon, wherein a first amount of non-radiopaque material separating a first radiopaque marking from a second radiopaque marking is different from a second amount of non-radiopaque material separating the second radiopaque marking from a third radiopaque marking wherein; the balloon includes an uninflated midpoint location and an inflated midpoint location; the shaft includes at least one radiopaque marking positioned at an offset location relative to the uninflated midpoint location, whereby on inflation of the balloon, the at least one radiopaque marking substantially aligns with the inflated midpoint location.
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20. (canceled)
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21-42. -42. (canceled)
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43. A balloon catheter, comprising:
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an elongated, tubular shaft; and an inflatable balloon supported by the shaft, the balloon having an uninflated midpoint location and an inflated midpoint location; wherein the shaft includes at least one first radiopaque marking positioned at an offset location relative to the uninflated midpoint location, whereby on inflation of the balloon, the at least one first radiopaque marking substantially aligns with the inflated midpoint location. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54-65. -65. (canceled)
Specification