Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A variable distention angioplasty balloon assembly, for insertion into a blood vessel, comprising: an inner elongated, inflatable balloon having a distal portion, a proximal portion and an intermediate portion therebetween and defining therein a first chamber, said inner balloon having a first modulus of elasticity; an outer elongated, inflatable balloon having a distal portion, a proximal portion and an intermediate portion therebetween positioned around said inner balloon and defining between the balloons a second chamber, said outer balloon having a second modulus of elasticity, said inner balloon being substantially enclosed by said outer balloon, and said first modulus of elasticity of the inner balloon is greater than the second modulus of elasticity of the outer balloon; and said first chamber of said inner balloon and said second chamber of said outer balloon define a variable dilation structure for dilating an anatomical stricture, said dilation structure with variable characteristics having a first diameter and pressure characteristic curve defined by the modulus of elasticity of said inner balloon and a second diameter and pressure characteristic curve defined by the modulus of elasticity of said outer balloon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said inner and outer balloons are tubular, annular, flexible and expandable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said inner and outer balloons comprise a polymeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said inner and outer balloons comprise at least one polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, copolymers of polyolefins, polyamides, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a catheter aligned longitudinally in the inner balloon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first modulus of elasticity of the inner balloon ranges from about 2% / atmosphere (atm) to about 5% / atm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said second modulus of elasticity of the outer balloon ranges from about .5% / atm to about 2% / atm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a molded hub section having a port for inflating the balloons, and an intermediate section, the intermediate section is attached to a portion of the proximal portions of the inner and outer balloons at one end and attached to the hub at the other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a molded hub section including a first member having a port including an intermediate tubular section extending and attached to and circumferentially within the proximal portions of said inner and outer balloons.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said variable dilation structure includes said intermediate portions of the inner and the outer balloons being substantially adjacent therealong during dilation thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said variable dilation structure includes a length comprising the intermediate portions of the inner and the outer balloons of about 50 mm or less and a diameter of about 5 mm or less.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said dilation structure includes a first inclined section, a middle section and a second inclined section, said first inclined section is axially-adjacent to said proximal portion of said inner and outer balloons and said second inclined section is axially-adjacent to said distal portions of said inner and outer balloons.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The assembly of claim 12, wherein said first and said second inclined sections extend outwardly at an angle ranging from about 5° to about 85° with respect to an elongate axis extending through the assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a catheter therealong positioned in the inner balloon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first balloon and the second balloon are impermeate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 1, further comprising means for inflating said inner and outer balloons.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first balloon and second balloon each have a substantially uniform wall thickness of about 2 mils or less.