Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
Intra-aortic balloon catheter apparatus including an inflatable and deflatable balloon having a distal end and a proximate end, said proximate end being sealably attached to the distal end of a hollow catheter for admitting and withdrawing fluid from said balloon, comprising: an elongated member having a proximate end and a distal end and rotatably disposed within and extending the length of said catheter and balloon, said distal end being fixedly attached to the distal end of said balloon; and rotating means coupled to the proximate end of said catheter and fixedly attached to the proximate end of said elongated member for effecting wrapping and unwrapping of said balloon about said elongated member, said elongated member being rotated with respect to said catheter upon rotation of said rotating means with respect to said catheter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
Intra-aortic balloon catheter apparatus including an inflatable and deflatable balloon having a distal end and a proximate end, said proximate end being sealably attached to the distal end of a hollow catheter for admitting and withdrawing fluid from said balloon, comprising: an elongated member having a proximate end and a distal end and rotatably disposed within and extending the length of said catheter and balloon, said distal end being fixedly attached to the distal end of said balloon; and rotating means coupled to the proximate end of said catheter and fixedly attached to the proximate end of said elongated member for effecting wrapping and unwrapping of said balloon about said elongated member, said elongated member being rotated with respect to said catheter upon rotation of said rotating means with respect to said catheter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Balloon catheter apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the end portion including said distal end of said elongated member has relatively low resistance to lateral bending.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Balloon catheter apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said elongated member is hollow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Balloon catheter apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said elongated member is solid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Balloon catheter apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said elongated member and said end portion define a continuous open passage from and through said rotating means to and through said balloon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
Balloon catheter apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said elongated member is a longitudinally flexible metal tubular member and said end portion includes a flexible non-metallic tube portion fixedly bonded to said metal tubular member, said end portion being circumferentially rigid to withstand rotational torque applied by said rotating means without substantial distortion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
Balloon catheter apparatus according to claim 1 and additionally including fluid flow port means in com-munication with the interior of said catheter; and wherein said rotating means includes means for preventing leakage of fluid from said catheter through said rotating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
Balloon catheter apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said rotating means includes further means for permitting said rotating means to be rotated through only a predetermined number of rotations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
Balloon catheter apparatus according to claim 1 and additionally including a wye member disposed between said catheter and said rotating member, said wye member having first and second coaxial legs through which said elongated member passes and a third leg providing communi-cation with the interior of said catheter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
Balloon catheter apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said rotating means includes first means for per-mitting said rotating means to be rotated through a pre-determined number of rotations and second means for preventing leakage of fluid from said catheter through said rotating means.