Methods of using an intravascular balloon catheter in combination with an angioscope
First Claim
1. A marker system comprising:
- an elongate catheter body,an expandable member having an expandable portion attached to a distal end of the catheter body; and
opaque markers positioned on the expandable portion of the expandable member, wherein the opaque markers are arranged in a pattern.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of performing a medical procedure is disclosed which involves the use of a balloon catheter in combination with an angioscope to monitor an intravascular stent before, during or after deploying the stent. Specifically, the method may include the steps of (1) delivering an intravascular stent into the vasculature of a patient, (2) positioning a balloon catheter in the vasculature such that the inflatable balloon is adjacent the stent, (3) inserting an angioscope into the balloon catheter such that the distal end of the angioscope is adjacent an optically-transparent tube traversing the interior of the balloon, and (4) visually monitoring the stent before, during or after deploying the intravascular stent. The optically-transparent tube may define a guide wire lumen for use with a guide wire and the angioscope may be inserted into the guide wire lumen. The intravascular stent may be a balloon-expandable stent, a self-expanding stent, or a stent made of a photo-responsive polymer.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A marker system comprising:
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an elongate catheter body, an expandable member having an expandable portion attached to a distal end of the catheter body; and opaque markers positioned on the expandable portion of the expandable member, wherein the opaque markers are arranged in a pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A balloon catheter comprising:
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an elongate shaft having a lumen therein; a balloon attached to a distal end of the shaft and in fluid communication with the balloon; and a means for measuring positioned on the balloon. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification