Apparatus for enlarging a vessel or clearing obstructive tissue from a vessel according to vessel compliance
First Claim
1. An apparatus for applying pressure to the inside of a vessel during selected intervals to enlarge the lumen of the vessel which comprises:
- a fluid inflatable means positionable inside the vessel;
means connected in fluid communication with said inflatable means for introducing fluid to said inflatable means to apply pressure against the vessel;
a transducer operatively connected with said inflatable means for generating a signal indicative of the fluid pressure in said inflatable means; and
automatic means for determining a time interval between incremental inflations of said inflatable means;
a monitor connected with said transducer and with said time interval determining means and having a screen means for displaying said transducer pressure signal and as a function of said interval signal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for clearing obstructive tissue from a body vessel or enlarging the lumen of the vessel comprises a balloon catheter which is insertable into the vessel of a patient to position the balloon in the area to be enlarged or against the obstructive tissue. A syringe is provided to incrementally inflate the balloon with a reasonably incompressible fluid to apply pressure against the inside of the vessel for opening the vessel. A pressure transducer senses fluid pressure in the balloon and an interval timer is used to monitor the rate of change in this fluid pressure. The rates of change in fluid pressure between the incremental inflations are monitored to determine vessel compliance, to determine when the stenosis is cleared, and to indicate when the vessel is stretched to, or near, its elastic limit.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying pressure to the inside of a vessel during selected intervals to enlarge the lumen of the vessel which comprises:
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a fluid inflatable means positionable inside the vessel; means connected in fluid communication with said inflatable means for introducing fluid to said inflatable means to apply pressure against the vessel; a transducer operatively connected with said inflatable means for generating a signal indicative of the fluid pressure in said inflatable means; and automatic means for determining a time interval between incremental inflations of said inflatable means; a monitor connected with said transducer and with said time interval determining means and having a screen means for displaying said transducer pressure signal and as a function of said interval signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for dilating a body vessel which comprises:
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an inflatable balloon positionable inside the vessel; means in fluid communication with said balloon for incrementally inflating said balloon with a fluid; automatic means for establishing a time interval between incremental inflations; means mounted on said inflation means for sensing changes in fluid pressure in said balloon during said time interval between incremental inflations; and means operatively connected with said sensing means for indicating when changes in fluid pressure fall below a selected level during said interval. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for using a balloon catheter system to clear obstructive tissue from the lumen of a body vessel which automatically records, processes and displays data comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning the expandable balloon of the balloon catheter in the lumen across the obstruction; (b) incrementally increasing the fluid pressure in the system by mechanical means to inflate the balloon and establish a new base pressure after each incremental increase in pressure; (c) establishing an interval signal which begins when each new base pressure is attained; (d) measuring fluid pressure changes from the base pressure during the interval; and (e) deflating the balloon when changes from the base pressure do not exceed a prescribed level during the interval.
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16. A method for using a balloon catheter system to enlarge the lumen of a body vessel which atomically records, processes, and displays data comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning the expandable balloon of the balloon catheter in the lumen; (b) incrementally increasing the fluid pressure in the system by mechanical means to inflate the balloon and establish a new base pressure after each incremental increase in pressure; (c) establishing an interval signal which begins when each new base pressure is attained; (d) measuring fluid pressure changes from the base pressure during the interval; and (e) deflating the balloon when changes from the base pressure do not exceed a prescribed level during the interval.
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Specification