Mechanical support for an expandable membrane

• US 6,575,933 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2000
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: CryoCath Technologies Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lueckge, Claudia, Yoklavich, Margaret, Wittenberger, Dan, Martin, Robert, Capuano, Leonilda, Carroll, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAYNARD, JENNIFER J
• Application Number:
  US09/491,239
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 Days
• Field of Search: 604/103.09, 604/43, 604/101.02, 604/96.01, 604/20-26, 604/500, 604/509, 604/104-106, 604/915, 604/919, 604/920, 606/191-200, 606/20-22, 607/96, 607/104-107, 607/113, 128/898
• US Class Current: 604/101.02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22002 preventing restenosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00422 Angioplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/025 by circulating liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0262 using a circulating cryogenic fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0281 using a tortuous path, e.g. formed by fins or ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/126 for invasive application, e.g. for introducing into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1084 having features for increasing the shape stability, the reproducibility or for limiting expansion, e.g. containments, wrapped around fibres, yarns or strands
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3606 cooled
• 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

Abstract

A medical implement that employs a mechanically supported expandable element. In one embodiment, the mechanically supported expandable element is a balloon. In another embodiment, the mechanically supported expandable membrane is a balloon disposed within a cryogenic catheter usable to treat tissue. A variety of illustrative mechanical support schemes are possible.

Claims

1. A medical implement, comprising:

a first expandable membrane transitionable between a contracted state and an expanded state, the expandable membrane having;

an outer side and an opposite inner side defining a membrane wall and a lumen; and

a thermally transmissive region transferring thermal energy between the outer side and the opposite inner side; and

a non-inflatable element disposed within the lumen, the non-inflatable element supporting the first expandable membrane, the non-inflatable element being operable to increase the diameter of at least a portion of the non-inflatable element to support the first expandable membrane in the expanded state, wherein the non-inflatable element comprises a second expandable membrane disposed within the lumen defined by the first expandable membrane.

2. A method of dilating and cryogenically treating an occluded region of a vessel, comprising:

inserting a balloon catheter having a mechanically supported membrane into the occluded region of the vessel;

inflating the balloon to dilate the occluded region of the vessel; and

treating the dilated vessel region with cryogenic energy, including cooling the dilated region of the vessel to a temperature that is between about 0°

C. to minus 120°

C. degrees Celsius for a period of time greater than about ten seconds;

the mechanically supported membrane having a support structure disposed within the balloon capable of maintaining the balloon in an inflated condition when pressure on an outer side is exceeded by pressure on an inner side of the balloon.

3. The method according to claim 2, further including implanting a stent proximate the dilated region of the vessel.

4. The method according to claim 2, further including hyperthermal treatment of the vessel.