Two piece balloon protector

• US 5,569,294 A
• Filed: 09/26/1994
• Issued: 10/29/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Parkola, Walter R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCDERMOTT, CORRINE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/312,338
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 604/96, 604/103, 606/194, 206/363, 206/364, 206/438, 206/446
• US Class Current: 606/194
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1081 having sheaths or the like for covering the balloon but not forming a permanent part of the balloon, e.g. retractable, dissolvable or tearable sheaths
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/104 used for angioplasty

Abstract

The present invention is for a two piece balloon protector (5) which consists of an cylindrical tube (10) and an inner elastomeric member (15). The inner elastomeric member (15) has a outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of cylindrical tube (10) and fits inside of the cylindrical tube (10). The proximal end of the inner elastomeric member (15) has a return flange (30) that fits around the proximal end of cylindrical tube (10). To install the balloon protector (5) over the dilatation catheter balloon (20), cylindrical tube (10) is held fixed while the inner elastomeric member (15) is pulled longitudinally at its distal end, thus stretching the material, decreasing the longitudinal cross-section and creating a larger inner diameter in inner elastomeric member (15). The balloon protector (5) is slid over the dilatation catheter balloon (20), the longitudinal force on the inner insert (15) is released causing the inner diameter of the inner elastomeric member (15) to decrease, compressing and containing the dilatation catheter balloon (20).

Claims

1. A method of installing a balloon protector around a dilatation catheter balloon comprising the steps of:

assembling a balloon protector by inserting an inner elastomeric member, having a proximal end and a distal end, through a cylindrical tube, having a proximal end and a distal end, until their proximal ends are engaged;

installing the balloon protector on a dilatation catheter balloon by securing the cylindrical tube;

pulling the distal end of the inner elastomeric member longitudinally until it'"'"'s inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of a dilatation catheter balloon;

sliding the balloon protector over the dilatation catheter balloon; and

releasing the inner elastomeric member which reduces its diameter and protects the dilatation catheter balloon.

2. A method of installing a balloon protector around a dilatation catheter balloon comprising the steps of:

providing a balloon protector made by the steps comprising;

fabricating an inner elastomeric member, having a proximal end and a distal end;

fabricating, cylindrical tube, having a proximal end and a distal end;

inserting the inner elastic member through the cylindrical tube; and

attaching the proximal end of the inner elastic member to the proximal end of the cylindrical tube;

providing a dilatation catheter balloon;

securing the cylindrical tube of the balloon protector and pulling the distal end of the inner elastomeric member longitudinally until it'"'"'s inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of a dilatation catheter balloon;

sliding the balloon protector over the dilatation catheter balloon; and

releasing the inner elastomeric member which reduces its diameter and protects the dilatation catheter balloon.

3. A balloon protector for a dilatation catheter, comprising:

a cylindrical tube made of rigid material with a distal end and a proximal end;

an inner elastomeric member that is cylindrical with a distal end and a proximal end sized to slidably fit inside the cylindrical tube, the inner elastomeric member being made from an elastomeric material; and

a means of engaging the proximal end of the inner elastomeric member to the proximal end of the cylindrical tube, wherein the means of engaging is an integral flange on the proximal end of the inner elastomeric member, the integral flange confines longitudinal movement of the proximal end of the inner elastomeric member when engaged with the proximal end of the cylindrical tube.