US5015231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multipart split sleeve balloon protector for dilatation catheter
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
•
Filing: 1989-04-21
•
Granted: 1991-05-14
•
Expires: 2009-04-21
Abstract
Abstract The balloon of an angioplasty dilatation balloon catheter is covered by inner and outer balloon protector sleeves. The inner balloon protector sleeve has an expansion slit to facilitate application over the balloon.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter T. Keith
- 👤 Charles L. Euteneuer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1027; A61M25/1038; A61M25/1002; A61M2025/1004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A balloon protector for a balloon catheter having a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end, the balloon protector comprising: an inner sleeve having an interior for receiving the balloon; and an outer sleeve having an interior for receiving the inner sleeve, the interior of the outer sleeve being sized smaller than an exterior of the inner sleeve, such that the outer sleeve applies a radially inward compressive force to the inner sleeve and the balloon when the outer sleeve is applied over the inner sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A balloon protector for a balloon catheter having a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end, the balloon protector comprising: an inner sleeve having an interior for receiving the balloon; and an outer sleeve having an interior for receiving the inner sleeve, the interior of the outer sleeve being sized smaller than an exterior of the inner sleeve, such that the outer sleeve applies a radially inward compressive force to the inner sleeve and the balloon when the outer sleeve is applied over the inner sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The balloon protector of claim 1 wherein the inner sleeve includes an elongated slit therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The balloon protector of claim 2 wherein the elongated slit extends in a generally longitudinal direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The balloon protector of claim 3 wherein the slit extends distally from a proximal end of the inner sleeve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The balloon protector of claim 5 wherein the inner sleeve has a distal portion having a first inner diameter and a proximal portion having a second, larger inner diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The balloon protector of claim 3 wherein the outer sleeve has an inner diameter which is less than an outer diameter of the inner sleeve and thereby causes the slit to close when the outer sleeve is applied over the inner sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The balloon protector of claim 1 wherein the inner sleeve includes an outwardly projecting portion at a proximal end that reduces the abruptness of a leading edge of the inner sleeve as the inner sleeve receives the balloon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The balloon protector of claim 1 wherein the inner sleeve includes a distal neck portion for receiving force as the outer sleeve is applied over the inner sleeve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The balloon protector of claim 1 wherein the inner sleeve includes a distal portion adapted for receiving a flexible distal tip portion of the balloon catheter and a proximal portion for receiving and surrounding the balloon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The balloon protector of claim 1 wherein a proximal end of the outer sleeve includes a lip portion that reduces the abruptness of a leading edge of the outer sleeve as the outer sleeve receives the inner sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The balloon protector of claim 1 wherein the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are formed of material having a heat-shrink characteristic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The balloon protector of claim 1 wherein the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are polytetraflouroethylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
82 words
A balloon protector for a balloon catheter having a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end, the balloon protector comprising: an inner sleeve having an interior for receiving the balloon; an outer sleeve having an interior for receiving the inner sleeve; and means extending along a wall of the inner sleeve for allowing a varying of a radial dimension of the inner sleeve during application of the inner sleeve over the balloon and during application of the outer sleeve over the inner sleeve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
A balloon protector for a balloon catheter having a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end, the balloon protector comprising: an inner sleeve having an interior for receiving the balloon; an outer sleeve having an interior for receiving the inner sleeve; and means extending along a wall of the inner sleeve for allowing a varying of a radial dimension of the inner sleeve during application of the inner sleeve over the balloon and during application of the outer sleeve over the inner sleeve.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
93 words
A balloon protector for a balloon catheter having a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end, the balloon protector comprising: an inner sleeve for engaging and covering the balloon while the balloon is in a deflated state; and an outer sleeve for surrounding and engaging the inner sleeve to hold the inner sleeve in position over the balloon, the outer sleeve having an inner diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the inner sleeve such that the outer sleeve applies a radially inward compressive force on the inner sleeve and the balloon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
93 words
A balloon protector for a balloon catheter having a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end, the balloon protector comprising: an inner sleeve for engaging and covering the balloon while the balloon is in a deflated state; and an outer sleeve for surrounding and engaging the inner sleeve to hold the inner sleeve in position over the balloon, the outer sleeve having an inner diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the inner sleeve such that the outer sleeve applies a radially inward compressive force on the inner sleeve and the balloon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The balloon protector of claim 14 wherein the inner sleeve includes means for expanding in a radial direction during application of the inner sleeve over the balloon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The balloon protector of claim 15 wherein the means for expanding includes a generally longitudinally extending slit in the inner sleeve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The balloon protector of claim 16 wherein the outer sleeve has an inner dimension which causes the slit to close as the outer sleeve is applied over the inner sleeve.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
56 words
A balloon protector for a balloon catheter having a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end, the balloon protector comprising: an inner sleeve having an interior for receiving the balloon, the inner sleeve having an elongated slit therein which extends in a generally longitudinal direction; and an outer sleeve having an interior for receiving the inner sleeve.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
A balloon protector for a balloon catheter having a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end, the balloon protector comprising: an inner sleeve having an interior for receiving the balloon, the inner sleeve having an elongated slit therein which extends in a generally longitudinal direction; and an outer sleeve having an interior for receiving the inner sleeve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The balloon protector of claim 18 wherein the slit extends distally from a proximal end of the inner sleeve.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The balloon protector of claim 19 wherein the inner sleeve has a distal portion having a first inner diameter and a proximal portion having a second, larger inner diameter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The balloon protector of claim 18 wherein the outer sleeve has an inner diameter which causes the slit to close when the outer sleeve is applied over the inner sleeve.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The balloon protector of claim 18 wherein the inner sleeve includes a distal neck portion for receiving force as the outer sleeve is applied over the inner sleeve.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The balloon protector of claim 18 wherein the inner sleeve includes a distal portion adapted for receiving a flexible distal tip portion of the balloon catheter and a proximal portion for receiving and surrounding the balloon.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The balloon protector of claim 18 wherein the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are formed of material having a heat-shrink characteristic.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
66 words
A balloon protector for a balloon catheter having a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end, the balloon protector comprising: an inner sleeve for covering the balloon, wherein the inner sleeve includes means for expanding in a radial direction during application of the inner sleeve over the balloon; and an outer sleeve for surrounding the inner sleeve to hold the inner sleeve in position over the balloon.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
66 words
A balloon protector for a balloon catheter having a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end, the balloon protector comprising: an inner sleeve for covering the balloon, wherein the inner sleeve includes means for expanding in a radial direction during application of the inner sleeve over the balloon; and an outer sleeve for surrounding the inner sleeve to hold the inner sleeve in position over the balloon.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The balloon protector of claim 25 wherein the means for expanding includes a generally longitudinally extending slit in the inner space.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The balloon protector of claim 26 wherein the outer sleeve has an inner dimension which causes the slit to close as the outer sleeve is applied over the inner sleeve.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
102 words
In combination: a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon positioned adjacent a distal end; and a balloon protector positioned over the balloon to protect the balloon and hold the balloon in a deflated condition, the balloon protector including: an inner sleeve positioned over at least a portion of the balloon, wherein the inner sleeve includes means for expanding a radial dimension of the inner sleeve during application of the inner sleeve over the balloon; and an outer sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve being sized to apply a radially inward compressive force to the inner sleeve and the balloon.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
102 words
In combination: a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon positioned adjacent a distal end; and a balloon protector positioned over the balloon to protect the balloon and hold the balloon in a deflated condition, the balloon protector including: an inner sleeve positioned over at least a portion of the balloon, wherein the inner sleeve includes means for expanding a radial dimension of the inner sleeve during application of the inner sleeve over the balloon; and an outer sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve being sized to apply a radially inward compressive force to the inner sleeve and the balloon.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 28 wherein the inner sleeve includes means for expanding a radial dimension of the inner sleeve during application of the inner sleeve over the balloon.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 29 wherein the means for expanding includes a generally longitudinally extending slit in the inner sleeve.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 30 wherein the outer sleeve has an inner dimension which causes the slit to close as the outer sleeve is applied over the inner sleeve.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination of claim 28 wherein the balloon catheter has a distal tip portion which extends distally of the balloon, and wherein the inner sleeve includes a distal portion for covering the distal tip portion of the catheter and a proximal portion for covering the balloon.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 32 wherein the outer sleeve is shorter than the inner sleeve.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 33 wherein the outer sleeve has an outwardly projecting portion for facilitating gripping of the outer sleeve as the outer sleeve is pulled onto the inner sleeve.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 34 wherein the outwardly projecting portion is a lip positioned at a proximal end of the outer sleeve.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 32 wherein the inner sleeve includes a generally longitudinal slit in the proximal portion extending from a proximal end of the inner sleeve.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 28 wherein the inner and outer sleeves are polytetrafloureothylene.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 28 wherein the inner and outer sleeves have been heat-shrunk in position over the balloon.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
83 words
In combination: a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon positioned adjacent a distal end; and a balloon protector positioned over the balloon to protect the balloon and hold the balloon in a deflated condition, the balloon protector including: an inner sleeve positioned over at least a portion of the balloon, wherein the inner sleeve includes means for expanding a radial dimension of the inner sleeve during application of the inner sleeve over the balloon; and an outer sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
83 words
In combination: a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon positioned adjacent a distal end; and a balloon protector positioned over the balloon to protect the balloon and hold the balloon in a deflated condition, the balloon protector including: an inner sleeve positioned over at least a portion of the balloon, wherein the inner sleeve includes means for expanding a radial dimension of the inner sleeve during application of the inner sleeve over the balloon; and an outer sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 39 wherein the means for expanding includes a generally longitudinally extending slit in the inner sleeve.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 40 wherein the outer sleeve has an inner dimension which causes the slit to close as the outer sleeve is applied over the inner sleeve.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
100 words
In combination: a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon positioned adjacent a distal end; and a balloon protector positioned over the balloon to protect the balloon and hold the balloon in a deflated condition, the balloon protector including: an inner sleeve positioned over at least a portion of the balloon wherein the balloon catheter has a distal tip portion which extends distally of the balloon, and wherein the inner sleeve includes a distal portion for covering the distal tip portion of the catheter and a proximal portion for covering the balloon; and an outer sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
100 words
In combination: a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon positioned adjacent a distal end; and a balloon protector positioned over the balloon to protect the balloon and hold the balloon in a deflated condition, the balloon protector including: an inner sleeve positioned over at least a portion of the balloon wherein the balloon catheter has a distal tip portion which extends distally of the balloon, and wherein the inner sleeve includes a distal portion for covering the distal tip portion of the catheter and a proximal portion for covering the balloon; and an outer sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 42 wherein the outer sleeve is shorter than the inner sleeve.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 43 wherein the outer sleeve has an outwardly projecting portion for facilitating gripping of the outer sleeve as the outer sleeve is pulled onto the inner sleeve.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 44 wherein the outwardly projecting portion is a lip positioned at a proximal end of the outer sleeve.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 42 wherein the inner sleeve includes a generally longitudinal slit in the proximal portion extending from a proximal end of the inner sleeve.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 42 wherein the inner and outer sleeves are polytetraflouroethylene.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 42 wherein the inner and outer sleeves have been heat-shrunk in portion over the balloon.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of forming a balloon protector over a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end of a balloon catheter, the method comprising: covering at least a portion of the balloon with an inner sleeve; and covering the inner sleeve with an outer sleeve which has an interior sized smaller than an exterior of the inner sleeve, such that the outer sleeve applies a radially inward compressive force on the inner sleeve and the balloon.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of forming a balloon protector over a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end of a balloon catheter, the method comprising: covering at least a portion of the balloon with an inner sleeve; and covering the inner sleeve with an outer sleeve which has an interior sized smaller than an exterior of the inner sleeve, such that the outer sleeve applies a radially inward compressive force on the inner sleeve and the balloon.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 49 and further comprising: exposing the balloon, the inner sleeve, and the outer sleeve to an elevated temperature to cause the inner and outer sleeves to shrink around the balloon.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 49 wherein the inner sleeve includes a distal neck portion, and covering the inner sleeve includes grasping the neck portion while sliding the outer sleeve over the inner sleeve.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 49 wherein covering the balloon with the inner sleeve includes sliding the inner sleeve over the balloon in a distal-to-proximal direction.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 49 wherein the inner sleeve has a generally longitudinally extending slit.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 49 and further comprising: preparing the balloon for covering with the inner sleeve by forming a plurality of flaps and wrapping the flaps around the catheter.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of forming a balloon protector over a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end of a balloon catheter, the method comprising: covering at least a portion of the balloon with an inner sleeve; covering the inner sleeve with an outer sleeve; and exposing the balloon, the inner sleeve, and the outer sleeve to an elevated temperature to cause the inner and outer sleeves to shrink around the balloon.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of forming a balloon protector over a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end of a balloon catheter, the method comprising: covering at least a portion of the balloon with an inner sleeve; covering the inner sleeve with an outer sleeve; and exposing the balloon, the inner sleeve, and the outer sleeve to an elevated temperature to cause the inner and outer sleeves to shrink around the balloon.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 55 wherein the inner sleeve has a generally longitudinally extending slit.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 55 and further comprising: preparing the balloon for covering with the inner sleeve by forming a plurality of flaps and wrapping the flaps around the catheter.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of forming a balloon protector over a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end of a balloon catheter, the method comprising: covering at least a portion of the balloon with an inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve includes a distal neck portion, and covering the inner sleeve includes grasping the neck portion while sliding the outer sleeve over the inner sleeve; and covering the inner sleeve with an outer sleeve.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of forming a balloon protector over a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end of a balloon catheter, the method comprising: covering at least a portion of the balloon with an inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve includes a distal neck portion, and covering the inner sleeve includes grasping the neck portion while sliding the outer sleeve over the inner sleeve; and covering the inner sleeve with an outer sleeve.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 58 wherein covering the balloon with the inner sleeve includes sliding the inner sleeve over the balloon in a distal-to-proximal direction.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 58 wherein the inner sleeve has a generally longitudinally extending slit.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 58 and further comprising: preparing the balloon for covering with the inner sleeve by forming a plurality of flaps and wrapping the flaps around the catheter.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of forming a balloon protector over a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end of a balloon catheter, the method comprising: covering at least a portion of the balloon with an inner sleeve which has a generally longitudinally extending slit; and covering the inner sleeve with an outer sleeve.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of forming a balloon protector over a balloon positioned adjacent a distal end of a balloon catheter, the method comprising: covering at least a portion of the balloon with an inner sleeve which has a generally longitudinally extending slit; and covering the inner sleeve with an outer sleeve.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 62 wherein the inner sleeve includes a distal neck portion, and covering the inner sleeve includes grasping the neck portion while sliding the outer sleeve over the inner sleeve.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 62 wherein covering the balloon with the inner sleeve includes sliding the inner sleeve over the balloon in a distal-to-proximal direction.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of forming a balloon protector over a deflated balloon positioned adjacent a distal end of a balloon catheter, the method comprising: preparing the deflated balloon by forming a plurality of flaps and wrapping the flaps around the catheter; covering at least a portion of the balloon with an inner sleeve which engages the balloon; and covering the inner sleeve with an outer sleeve which engages the inner sleeve.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of forming a balloon protector over a deflated balloon positioned adjacent a distal end of a balloon catheter, the method comprising: preparing the deflated balloon by forming a plurality of flaps and wrapping the flaps around the catheter; covering at least a portion of the balloon with an inner sleeve which engages the balloon; and covering the inner sleeve with an outer sleeve which engages the inner sleeve.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-13 | 1994-11-12 | 1995-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-13 | 1998-11-12 | 1999-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-13 | 2002-11-12 | 2003-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |