Method and apparatus for inflating and deflating balloon catheters

• US 8,491,636 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2006
• Issued: 07/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Abboud, Marwan, Mahrouche, Rachid, Mihalik, Teresa Ann, Harmouche, Chadi, Desrochers, Gilles
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda
• Assistant Examiner(s): DELLA, JAYMI E
• Application Number:
  US11/581,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20070032783A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,472 Days
• Field of Search: 604 9601- 9904, 604/35, 606 20- 23, 607104-105
• US Class Current: 606/251
• 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 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• 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 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0262 using a circulating cryogenic fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1011 Multiple balloon catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10184 Means for controlling or monitoring inflation or deflation

Abstract

A system and method for controlling the inflation, ablation, and deflation of a balloon catheter. The system includes a balloon catheter, a console, a pressurized gas or liquid inflation source, and an umbilical system to deliver pressurized coolant to the balloon catheter. The system may include controller 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.

Claims

1. A medical system, comprising:

an energy treatment device;

a first lumen and a second lumen each in fluid communication with the energy treatment device;

a first coolant reservoir;

a second coolant reservoir, wherein the first coolant reservoir is selectively switchable between a first and second fluid pathway, the first fluid pathway being in fluid communication with the first lumen and the second fluid pathway being in fluid communication with the second coolant reservoir; and

a vacuum source, wherein the second lumen is selectively switchable between a third and fourth fluid pathway, the third fluid pathway being in fluid communication with the second coolant reservoir and the fourth fluid pathway being in fluid communication with the vacuum source, and wherein the second coolant reservoir is coupled to the vacuum source through a fifth fluid pathway,

wherein during operation of the energy treatment device, fluid is transferrable from the first coolant reservoir to the second coolant reservoir and then from the second coolant reservoir to the energy treatment device through the third fluid pathway.

2. The medical system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first valve in fluid communication with the first lumen; and

a first controller coupled to the first valve for varying fluid flow therethrough.

3. The medical system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a second valve in fluid communication with the vacuum source; and

a second controller coupled to the second valve for varying fluid flow therethrough.

4. The medical system according to claim 1, wherein the second coolant reservoir has a volumetric capacity less than twenty cubic centimeters.

5. The medical system according to claim 1, further comprising a subcooler in thermal communication with the first fluid pathway.

6. A medical system, comprising:

an energy treatment device;

an injection lumen and an exhaust lumen each in continuous fluid communication with the energy treatment device;

a first coolant reservoir;

a second coolant reservoir configured to receive a fluid from the first coolant reservoir during use of the energy treatment device, the fluid passable from the second coolant reservoir to the energy treatment device through the exhaust lumen,

a vacuum source, the first the fluid reservoir being selectively switchable between providing the fluid to the injection lumen and providing coolant to the second the fluid reservoir, and the exhaust lumen being selectively switchable between receiving the fluid from the second coolant reservoir and delivering coolant to the vacuum source.

7. The medical system according to claim 6, further comprising a valve in fluid communication with both the injection lumen and the exhaust lumen for preventing siphoning of bodily fluids.

8. The medical system according to claim 6, further comprising a fluid pathway defined between the second coolant reservoir and the vacuum source.

9. The medical system according to claim 8, further comprising a check valve disposed in the fluid pathway.

10. The medical system according to claim 6, further comprising a subcooler in thermal communication with the injection lumen.