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Helical spiral balloon catheter

  • US 5,383,856 A
  • Filed: 03/19/1993
  • Issued: 01/24/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for repairing a dissection in an inner wall of a blood vessel in a patient comprising the steps of:

  • (a) providing a catheter comprising an elongated support tube having distal and proximal ends, said support tube defining a central lumen, a radially expandable balloon means carried by and integrally connected to said support tube adjacent the distal end thereof, and means for expanding and contracting said balloon means, said balloon means comprising at least two spiral-shaped balloon elements extending helically around said support tube along a predetermined length of said support tube;

    (b) inserting said distal end of said catheter into a cardiovascular system of said patient with said balloon means in an unexpanded condition;

    (c) advancing said catheter within said cardiovascular system until said balloon means is situated in the region having the dissection needing repair;

    (d) orienting said catheter such that a first one of said at least two balloon elements is positioned to overlie said dissection;

    (e) expanding said balloon means to bring said first one of said balloon elements into intimate contact with said blood vessel dissection, and to bring each other of said at least two balloon elements into intimate contact with said blood vessel, while permitting the patient'"'"'s blood to flow past the balloon means through open paths left between said balloon elements, and permitting the patient'"'"'s blood to flow to unobstructed side branches in the region in which the balloon means is disposed;

    (f) retaining said balloon elements in said expanded condition for a length of time sufficient to tack said dissection substantially permanently into place along an inner wall of said blood vessel;

    (g) contracting the balloon means; and

    (h) withdrawing said catheter from the body of said patient.

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