Pressure-sensitive balloon catheter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pressure-sensitive balloon catheter, comprising:
- a catheter having a distal end;
a balloon mounted to the distal end of the catheter;
means for inflating the balloon; and
a pressure-sensitive material fixedly associated with the balloon, wherein the pressure-sensitive material undergoes a change in a physical characteristic when exposed to pressure to indicate the amount of pressure applied to the balloon.
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Abstract
A pressure-sensitive balloon catheter includes a material that undergoes a visible color change when exposed to the pressures experienced in an angioplasty or a stent placement procedure. By removing the balloon catheter and verifying the color change and the patterns of colors on the balloon, a physician can verify that proper amounts of pressure were applied to all portions of a patient'"'"'s artery or a stent within a patient'"'"'s artery.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A pressure-sensitive balloon catheter, comprising:
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a catheter having a distal end; a balloon mounted to the distal end of the catheter; means for inflating the balloon; and a pressure-sensitive material fixedly associated with the balloon, wherein the pressure-sensitive material undergoes a change in a physical characteristic when exposed to pressure to indicate the amount of pressure applied to the balloon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A pressure-sensitive balloon catheter, comprising:
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a catheter having a distal end; a pressure-sensitive balloon mounted to the distal end of the catheter, the balloon comprising dynamic, pressure-measuring indicia responsive to being subjected to a pressure above a predetermined threshold level to change a physical characteristic and thereby visually indicate the amount of pressure applied to the balloon; and means for inflating the balloon. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A pressure-sensitive balloon catheter, comprising:
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a catheter comprising an inflation lumen; a balloon mounted to the catheter and in fluid communication with the inflation lumen; and wherein the balloon comprises a pressure-sensitive material, the pressure-sensitive material including dynamic, pressure-measuring indicia, wherein the pressure-measuring indicia is responsive to the application of a pressure above the predetermined threshold level to change a physical characteristic and thereby indicate the amount of pressure applied to the pressure-sensitive material. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A pressure-sensitive balloon catheter, comprising:
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a catheter having a distal end and an inflation lumen; a balloon mounted to the distal end of the catheter, the balloon being in fluid communication with the lumen, wherein the inflation lumen is operative to inflate the balloon; and a pressure-sensitive material mounted to the balloon, the pressure-sensitive material comprising a pressure-sensitive coating applied to the balloon, wherein the pressure-sensitive material undergoes a change in a physical characteristic when exposed to pressure. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A pressure-sensitive balloon catheter, comprising;
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a catheter having a distal end and an inflation lumen; a balloon mounted to the distal end of the catheter, the balloon comprising a first layer and a second layer and being in fluid communication with the lumen, wherein the inflation lumen is operative to inflate the balloon; and a pressure-sensitive material fixedly associated with the balloon, the pressure-sensitive material comprising a pressure-sensitive film disposed on one of an inner surface of the balloon or between the inner and outer layers of the balloon, wherein the pressure-sensitive material undergoes a change in a physical characteristic when exposed to pressure. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A pressure-sensitive balloon structure for use in medical dilatation procedures, comprising:
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a balloon comprising a polymeric material; means for inflating the balloon; and a pressure-sensitive material fixedly associated with the balloon, wherein the pressure-sensitive material under goes a change in a physical characteristic when exposed to pressure to indicate the amount of pressure applied to the balloon.
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31. A pressure-sensitive balloon structure for use in medical dilatation procedures, comprising:
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a balloon comprising a translucent polymeric material, a plurality of microcapsules, and a color-developing material, wherein the microcapsules are adapted to rupture upon the application of pressure to indicate the amount of pressure applied to the balloon; and means for inflating the balloon.
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Specification