Balloon dilatation catheter with varying radiopacity

• US 5,201,754 A
• Filed: 02/02/1990
• Issued: 04/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Ave Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Crittenden, James F., White, Bryan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rafa, Michael
• Application Number:
  US07/475,417
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 606/194, 606/198, 604/96-103, 604/280, 604/95
• US Class Current: 606/194
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0042 Microcatheters, cannula or the like having outside diameters around 1 mm or less
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/091 having a lumen for drug delivery or suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/104 used for angioplasty

Abstract

A balloon dilatation catheter, usable in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, is formed so that portions of the catheter both distally and proximally of the balloon have varyinq degrees of radiopacity. A portion of the catheter distally of the balloon presents a dark image under fluoroscopy while a portion located proximally of the balloon displays a moderately radiopaque image under fluoroscopy. The portion of the catheter in the region of the balloon may have a moderate, light or no radiopaque means.

Claims

1. A balloon angioplasty catheter comprising:

an elongate longitudinally flexible tubular proximal segment having a proximal end and a distal end;

an elongate distal segment extending distally beyond the distal end of the proximal segment, the distal segment being shorter and more flexible than the proximal segment and having nonuniform radiopacity;

a balloon carried by the distal segment;

the tubular proximal segment defining a lumen for communicating the proximal end of the catheter with the interior of the balloon to enable inflation and deflation of the balloon;

the distal segment comprising a support wire having a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the distal end of the proximal segment and a highly radiopaque means carried by the support wire distally of the balloon;

moderately radiopaque means carried by the support wire proximally of the highly radiopaque means and extending along a substantial length of the support wire;

the balloon being supported on the support wire with the support wire extending through the balloon;

means for communicating the lumen of the proximal tubular segment with the interior of the balloon;

the proximal segment and support wire being sufficiently torsionally rigid so that when the catheter is in a configuration corresponding to that of a human aortic arch and with the distal segment in a coronary artery, the catheter is capable of transmitting controllably from its proximal to its distal end rotation applied at the proximal end.

2. A balloon angioplasty catheter as defined in claim 1 wherein the moderately radiopaque means extends through the balloon.

3. A catheter as defined in claim 1 wherein the moderately radiopaque means extends from the proximal end of the balloon toward the proximal end of the shaft and along a substantial portion of the catheter;

the region of the balloon being substantially free of radiopaque means.

4. A catheter as defined in claim 1 wherein the catheter is dimensioned and adapted to be inserted into the coronary arteries.

5. A catheter as defined in any one of claim 1-3 wherein the moderately radiopaque means comprises a plating of radiopaque material on the elongate flexible support wire.

6. A balloon angioplasty catheter as defined in any one of claim 1-3 wherein the moderately radiopaque means comprises a cladding of radiopaque material on the support wire.

7. A catheter as defined in any one of claims 1-3 wherein the support wire is formed from a moderately radiopaque material.

8. A catheter as defined in claim 5 further comprising a short highly radiopaque element carried by the catheter adjacent the proximal end of the balloon.

9. A catheter as defined in claim 5 wherein the distal segment is between about 25 cm to 35 cm in length.

10. A balloon catheter as defined in claim 6 further comprising a short highly radiopaque element carried by the catheter adjacent the proximal end of the balloon.

11. A catheter as defined in claim 6 wherein the distal segment is between about 25 cm to 35 cm in length.