Method and apparatus for inflating and deflating balloon catheters
First Claim
1. A method of inflating and deflating a catheter having an expandable membrane, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining a target pressure for inflation of the expandable membrane;
positioning the expandable membrane within a portion of a cardiovascular system;
controllably inflating the expandable membrane to at least the target pressure;
ablating a desired tissue region, wherein the pressure in the expandable membrane during ablation exceeds the target pressure, and is lower than approximately 20 psi; and
controllably deflating the expandable membrane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for controlling the inflation, ablation, and deflation of a balloon catheter is provided. The system includes a balloon catheter, a console having a pressurized gas or liquid inflation source, and an umbilical system to deliver pressurized coolant to the balloon catheter. The system comprises a PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) controller or other pressure-sensing device that monitors the amount of pressure and volume within the balloon catheter. During inflation, the pressure and/or volume of fluid within the balloon is maintained at a target amount in order to provide sufficient mechanized pressure against the desired target region. The system limits the inflation pressure such that a safe quantity of gas would be released should a leak occur. If the amount falls below a certain threshold level, gas or fluid egress is presumed and the inflation process is halted.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of inflating and deflating a catheter having an expandable membrane, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a target pressure for inflation of the expandable membrane; positioning the expandable membrane within a portion of a cardiovascular system; controllably inflating the expandable membrane to at least the target pressure; ablating a desired tissue region, wherein the pressure in the expandable membrane during ablation exceeds the target pressure, and is lower than approximately 20 psi; and controllably deflating the expandable membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for inflating and deflating a catheter having an expandable membrane, the catheter being part of a catheter system including a first console, a catheter, and an umbilical system coupling the first console to the catheter, the method comprising the steps of:
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evacuating air from the expandable membrane by creating a vacuum in the expandable membrane; positioning the expandable membrane within a portion of a cardiovascular system; controllably inflating the expandable membrane proximate a desired tissue region, the expandable membrane being inflated to a preselected target pressure level in order to provide sufficient mechanical force against the desired tissue region; ablating the desired tissue region, wherein the pressure in the expandable membrane during ablation exceeds the target pressure, and is lower than approximately 20 psi; and controllably deflating the expandable membrane.
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Specification