Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A catheter comprising: a flexible tube having an open distal and a proximal end; and a balloon portion near the distal end; and an expandable diameter elongated member disposed within said flexible tube, wherein said flexible tube includes a longitudinal aperture in said tube permitting fluid communication therethrough and to receive said expandable diameter elongated member and a radial aperture permitting fluid communication between said longitudinal aperture and the interior of said balloon, and wherein said flexible tube is adapted to be engaged by the expanded diameter of the elongated member when disposed thereon to provide a selectively occluded fluid path between the exterior of said elongated member and the interior of said flexible tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A catheter comprising: a flexible tube having an open distal and a proximal end; and a balloon portion near the distal end; and an expandable diameter elongated member disposed within said flexible tube, wherein said flexible tube includes a longitudinal aperture in said tube permitting fluid communication therethrough and to receive said expandable diameter elongated member and a radial aperture permitting fluid communication between said longitudinal aperture and the interior of said balloon, and wherein said flexible tube is adapted to be engaged by the expanded diameter of the elongated member when disposed thereon to provide a selectively occluded fluid path between the exterior of said elongated member and the interior of said flexible tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
The catheter of claim 1, further comprising an annular member disposed within and retained by said flexible tube between the distal end and the radially disposed aperture, said annular member having an interior wall including at least one channel axially disposed thereon, whereupon engagement of said annular member by the expanded diameter of the elongated diameter member, the fluid path through said annular member within said interior wall is substantially occluded and a selected fluid path from the proximal to the open distal end of the flexible tube longitudinal aperture is formed according to said channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein the flexible tube comprises at least a portion of expandable balloon material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The catheter of claim 3, wherein said expandable balloon material portion has a reduced cross-section near the distal end of said flexible tube, providing a balloon portion and an unexpanded section of tubing between the distal end and said balloon portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein the flexible tube comprises a semi-rigid material comprising one of polyamide, PVC an polyurathane, and said balloon portion comprises a balloon mounted on said flexible tube in fluid communication with said selectively occluded fluid path.