Method and apparatus for inflating and deflating balloon catheters
First Claim
1. A method of operating a medical device having an expandable element in fluid communication with a supply lumen and an exhaust lumen, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first coolant reservoir, a second coolant reservoir and a vacuum source, wherein the first coolant reservoir, the second coolant reservoir, and the vacuum source are in fluid communication with the expandable element of the medical device;
transferring coolant from the first coolant reservoir to the second coolant reservoir;
transferring the coolant from the second coolant reservoir to the expandable element through the exhaust lumen, wherein the expandable element is inflated to a target pressure;
transferring the coolant from the first coolant reservoir to the expandable element through the supply lumen; and
evacuating the coolant from the expandable element with the vacuum source,wherein the steps of transferring the coolant from the first coolant reservoir to the expandable element and evacuating the coolant from the expandable element are regulated to achieve a target coolant flow rate while maintaining a pressure in the expandable element at a level substantially equal to or greater than the target pressure.
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Accused Products
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.
245 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of operating a medical device having an expandable element in fluid communication with a supply lumen and an exhaust lumen, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first coolant reservoir, a second coolant reservoir and a vacuum source, wherein the first coolant reservoir, the second coolant reservoir, and the vacuum source are in fluid communication with the expandable element of the medical device; transferring coolant from the first coolant reservoir to the second coolant reservoir; transferring the coolant from the second coolant reservoir to the expandable element through the exhaust lumen, wherein the expandable element is inflated to a target pressure; transferring the coolant from the first coolant reservoir to the expandable element through the supply lumen; and evacuating the coolant from the expandable element with the vacuum source, wherein the steps of transferring the coolant from the first coolant reservoir to the expandable element and evacuating the coolant from the expandable element are regulated to achieve a target coolant flow rate while maintaining a pressure in the expandable element at a level substantially equal to or greater than the target pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification