Balloon alignment and collapsing system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus comprising:
- (a) a balloon having proximal and distal ends and a lengthwise direction between said ends, said balloon having an inflated condition and a deflated condition, said balloon having a deflated length between said ends in the deflated condition and an inflated length in the inflated condition, said inflated length being less than said deflated length; and
(b) a tube disposed within said balloon and extending in the lengthwise direction of said balloon, said tube having an interior bore at least partially defining a passageway through said balloon, said tube having a proximal end mechanically linked to the proximal end of the balloon and a distal end mechanically linked to the distal end of the balloon, whereby said tube is stretched in the lengthwise direction when said balloon is deflated and shortened in the lengthwise direction when said balloon is inflated, said interior bore of said tube having diametrical dimensions which remain substantially constant despite such stretching and compression.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A balloon catheter is provided with engagement elements disposed within the balloon so that, upon inflation of the balloon, the engagement elements move in the proximal to distal direction of the catheter so as to abut one another and form a substantially rigid column to maintain alignment of the distal end of the balloon with the proximal end of the balloon and with the catheter.
96 Citations
27 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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(a) a balloon having proximal and distal ends and a lengthwise direction between said ends, said balloon having an inflated condition and a deflated condition, said balloon having a deflated length between said ends in the deflated condition and an inflated length in the inflated condition, said inflated length being less than said deflated length; and
(b) a tube disposed within said balloon and extending in the lengthwise direction of said balloon, said tube having an interior bore at least partially defining a passageway through said balloon, said tube having a proximal end mechanically linked to the proximal end of the balloon and a distal end mechanically linked to the distal end of the balloon, whereby said tube is stretched in the lengthwise direction when said balloon is deflated and shortened in the lengthwise direction when said balloon is inflated, said interior bore of said tube having diametrical dimensions which remain substantially constant despite such stretching and compression. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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2. Apparatus comprising:
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(a) a balloon having proximal and distal ends and a lengthwise direction between said ends, said balloon having an inflated condition and a deflated condition, said balloon having a deflated length between said ends in the deflated condition and an inflated length in the inflated condition, said inflated length being less than said deflated length; and
(b) a tube disposed within said balloon and extending in the lengthwise direction of said balloon, said tube having an interior bore at least partially defining a passageway through said balloon, said tube having a proximal end mechanically linked to the proximal end of the balloon and a distal end mechanically linked to the distal end of the balloon, whereby said tube is stretched in the lengthwise direction when said balloon is deflated and shortened in the lengthwise direction when said balloon is inflated, said tube being formed from a material selected from the group consisting of expanded polymers. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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7. Apparatus comprising:
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(a) a balloon having proximal and distal ends and a lengthwise direction between said ends, said balloon having an inflated condition and a deflated condition, said balloon having a deflated length between said ends in the deflated condition and an inflated length in the inflated condition, said inflated length being less than said deflated length; and
(b) a plurality of engagement elements disposed at least partially within said balloon and movable with respect to one another in the lengthwise direction, said balloon urging said engagement elements into engagement with one another upon inflation of the balloon, said engagement elements being movable away from one another in the lengthwise direction upon deflation of the balloon. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 26)
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20. A method of placing and operating a device comprising:
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(a) threading a carrier catheter into the body of a mammalian subject while a balloon secured to the carrier catheter is in a deflated condition and while engagement elements disposed at least partially within the balloon are separated from one another;
then(b) inflating the balloon so that the balloon expands in radial directions and contracts in a lengthwise direction, and so that contraction of the balloon moves the engagement elements into proximity with one another;
(c) performing a procedure using the balloon in its inflated condition, said engagement elements reinforcing the balloon during said procedure; and
then(d) deflating the balloon so that said engagement elements separate from one another and withdrawing the carrier catheter and balloon while said engagement elements are separated from one another. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27)
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Specification