Valvuloplasty catheter and method
First Claim
1. In a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a through lumen, a tube extending through the through lumen and movable axially in the through lumen relative to the catheter body and having a distal end portion extending distally beyond the distal end of the catheter body, and a radially expandable and axially contractable balloon having opposite end portions coupled, respectively, to the catheter body and the distal end portion of the tube and inflatable through the catheter body whereby inflation of the balloon from a relaxed uninflated condition expands the balloon radially and contracts the balloon axially, the improvement comprising:
- said catheter body having a distal end portion at least partially within the balloon which is less stiff than the region of the catheter body proximally of the distal end portion of the catheter body to avoid an abrupt change of stiffness within the balloon, said catheter body including a main body and said distal end portion of said catheter body being a separate member and being joined to the main body of the body.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A valvuloplasty catheter comprising a catheter body having a through lumen, a tube extending through the lumen and having a distal end portion extending distally beyond the distal end of the catheter body and movable axially in the lumen relative to the catheter body. A radially expandable and axially contractable balloon is coupled, respectively, to the catheter body at the distal end portion of the tube. The balloon has a central region between the opposite end portions of the balloon which is of greater radial dimension in the relaxed condition than the opposite end portions and transition regions between the central region and the opposite end portions. The catheter body has a distal end portion which is less stiff than the region of the catheter body immediately proximal of the distal end portion of the catheter body.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. In a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a through lumen, a tube extending through the through lumen and movable axially in the through lumen relative to the catheter body and having a distal end portion extending distally beyond the distal end of the catheter body, and a radially expandable and axially contractable balloon having opposite end portions coupled, respectively, to the catheter body and the distal end portion of the tube and inflatable through the catheter body whereby inflation of the balloon from a relaxed uninflated condition expands the balloon radially and contracts the balloon axially, the improvement comprising:
said catheter body having a distal end portion at least partially within the balloon which is less stiff than the region of the catheter body proximally of the distal end portion of the catheter body to avoid an abrupt change of stiffness within the balloon, said catheter body including a main body and said distal end portion of said catheter body being a separate member and being joined to the main body of the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of dilating a heart valve comprising:
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providing a catheter having a reinforced, radially expandable and axially contractable, inflatable balloon with a central region with a longitudinally unfolded outer periphery when the balloon is deflated; advancing the catheter with the balloon deflated through a vessel of a patient into the heart of the patient to place the balloon within a valve of the heart; inflating the balloon to radially expand and axially contract the balloon to dilate the valve; deflating the balloon; and withdrawing the catheter from the cardiovascular system of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification