Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An insertable balloon pump apparatus comprising a balloon having proximal and distal ends, a handle, an inflation catheter interconnecting the balloon proximal end with the handle, an inner tube defining a pressure lumen extending from said handle to said balloon distal end, a hollow thrust receiving member rigidly coupled to said balloon distal end and defining a passage through which said pressure lumen communicates with an external region at said balloon distal end, a hollow torsion-free thrust imparting member removably insertable through said pressure lumen from said handle to engage said thrust receiving member, said thrust receiving member and said thrust imparting member each having a mating protruding end portion such that when engaged, the mating end portions transmit thrust and torsion while cooperating to form a passage between said handle and said external region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An insertable balloon pump apparatus comprising a balloon having proximal and distal ends, a handle, an inflation catheter interconnecting the balloon proximal end with the handle, an inner tube defining a pressure lumen extending from said handle to said balloon distal end, a hollow thrust receiving member rigidly coupled to said balloon distal end and defining a passage through which said pressure lumen communicates with an external region at said balloon distal end, a hollow torsion-free thrust imparting member removably insertable through said pressure lumen from said handle to engage said thrust receiving member, said thrust receiving member and said thrust imparting member each having a mating protruding end portion such that when engaged, the mating end portions transmit thrust and torsion while cooperating to form a passage between said handle and said external region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said thrust imparting member couples to a spiral drive screw mechanism located in the handle for causing relative motion between the inflation catheter and the distal end of the balloon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said spiral drive screw mechanism is operable to turn and advance said thrust imparting member to move said balloon distal end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said screw mechanism has a pitch of less than approximately 5 threads per inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said balloon has a nominal uninflated cross sectional diameter of between two and five centimeters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said spiral drive screw mechanism is operable to move said catheter with respect to the handle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said thrust imparting member includes a hollow tubular member of a stiffness to transit axial and rotational motion to said balloon, said member having an interior passage for following a catheter guide wire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a two chamber manifold having a first chamber in fluid communication with the lumen of the inflation catheter and a second chamber communicating with the inner tube.