Balloon catheter with intrinsic introducer for percutaneous insertion into a blood vessel over a guide wire, and method of use
First Claim
1. A balloon catheter comprisinga tip having a tapered distal end,a central lumen extending longitudinally of said catheter,a balloon membrane coaxial with and surrounding said central lumen and having its distal end connected to said tip,a sheath slidable over said balloon to form an assembly,a guide wire slidable through said central lumen and insertable into a blood vessel for guiding said tip, membrane and sheath to a location within said blood vessel selected for therapy,said sheath fitting loosely over said balloon, whereby said sheath can be withdrawn along the balloon catheter to expose said balloon at said location and said balloon can then be inflated to provide therapy, andwrapping means connected to said central lumen whereby said central lumen is rotatable about its axis to unwrap said balloon membrane after withdrawal of said sheath to facilitate deployment of said balloon at said location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A balloon catheter comprises a tip having a tapered distal end, a central lumen, and a balloon membrane coaxial with and surrounding the central lumen and connected to the tip. A sheath is slidable over the balloon to form an assembly, and a guide wire is slidable through the central lumen and insertable into a blood vessel for guiding the tip, membrane and sheath to a location within the blood vessel selected for therapy. The sheath fits loosely over the balloon, whereby the sheath can be withdrawn to expose the balloon at the selected location and the balloon can then be inflated to provide therapy.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A balloon catheter comprising
a tip having a tapered distal end, a central lumen extending longitudinally of said catheter, a balloon membrane coaxial with and surrounding said central lumen and having its distal end connected to said tip, a sheath slidable over said balloon to form an assembly, a guide wire slidable through said central lumen and insertable into a blood vessel for guiding said tip, membrane and sheath to a location within said blood vessel selected for therapy, said sheath fitting loosely over said balloon, whereby said sheath can be withdrawn along the balloon catheter to expose said balloon at said location and said balloon can then be inflated to provide therapy, and wrapping means connected to said central lumen whereby said central lumen is rotatable about its axis to unwrap said balloon membrane after withdrawal of said sheath to facilitate deployment of said balloon at said location.
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3. A balloon catheter comprising:
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a tip having a tapered distal end; a central lumen extending longitudinally of said catheter; a balloon membrane coaxial with and surrounding said central lumen and having its distal end connected to said tip; a sheath slidable over said balloon to form an assembly; a guide wire slidable through said central lumen and insertable into a blood vessel for guiding said tip, membrane and sheath to a location within said blood vessel selected for therapy; said tip comprising a proximal end having an outer diameter reduced as compared to the maximum outer diameter of the distal end of said tip, thereby forming a shoulder facing the proximal direction; said balloon membrane forming a tight connection with said proximal end; said sheath being adapted to abut said shoulder, the outer dimension of said shoulder being at least as great as that of said sheath; and said sheath fitting loosely over said balloon, whereby said sheath can be withdrawn to expose said balloon at said location and said balloon can then be inflated to provide therapy. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A method of providing therapy within a blood vessel by means including a balloon catheter comprising the steps of
forming an assembly comprising (a) a tip having a tapered distal end, (b) a central lumen extending longitudinally of said catheter, and (c) a balloon membrane coaxial with and surrounding said central lumen and connected to said tip, sliding a sheath over said balloon to complete said assembly, inserting a single guide wire into said blood vessel, sliding said completed assembly over said guide wire and into said blood vessel, said guide wire extending through said central lumen, advancing said assembly along said guide wire to a location within said blood vessel selected for therapy, withdrawing said sheath to expose said balloon, and inflating said balloon.
Specification