Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A catheter device for deflating and inflating a balloon positioned on a distal end of said catheter, comprising: (a) a catheter having a flexible deflatable/inflatable balloon in its distal region and adapted to have a deflation/inflation device connected to its proximal end; (b) a balloon inflation lumen communicating with said balloon at the proximal end of said balloon and extending axially along the catheter and adapted to communicate with a deflation/inflation device at its proximal end; (c) a directional flow lumen having a substantially smaller diameter than said balloon inflation lumen and distally terminating at the distal end of said balloon, said directional flow lumen extending axially along the length of the catheter and communicating with said balloon inflation lumen at the proximal end of said balloon inflation lumen, and distally of the proximal end of said balloon catheter; and (d) one-way valve means positioned within the directional flow lumen at the proximal region of said catheter and distally of the proximal end thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A catheter device for deflating and inflating a balloon positioned on a distal end of said catheter, comprising: (a) a catheter having a flexible deflatable/inflatable balloon in its distal region and adapted to have a deflation/inflation device connected to its proximal end; (b) a balloon inflation lumen communicating with said balloon at the proximal end of said balloon and extending axially along the catheter and adapted to communicate with a deflation/inflation device at its proximal end; (c) a directional flow lumen having a substantially smaller diameter than said balloon inflation lumen and distally terminating at the distal end of said balloon, said directional flow lumen extending axially along the length of the catheter and communicating with said balloon inflation lumen at the proximal end of said balloon inflation lumen, and distally of the proximal end of said balloon catheter; and (d) one-way valve means positioned within the directional flow lumen at the proximal region of said catheter and distally of the proximal end thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The catheter device according to claim 1, wherein said one-way valve permits flow within said directional flow lumen in a distal to proximal direction within said directional flow lumen, and wherein said one-way valve prevents flow in said directional flow lumen in a proximal to distal direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The catheter device according to claim 1, wherein said one-way valve permits flow within said directional flow lumen in a proximal to distal direction within said directional flow lumen, and wherein said one-way valve prevents flow in said directional flow lumen in a distal to proximal direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter device according to claim 1 further comprising a guidewire lumen extending axially along said catheter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The catheter device according to claim 1, wherein said one-way valve is positioned within a side branch of said balloon inflation lumen at the proximal end of said catheter, where the distal end of said one-way valve communicates with said directional flow lumen and the proximal end of said one-way valve communicates with said balloon inflation lumen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A catheter device according to claim 1, wherein said one-way valve means is constructed and arranged to prevent reverse flow through said one-way valve up to pressures of about 20 atmospheres.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for purging gases from catheter system, comprising the following steps: (a) applying a first vacuum on the proximal end portion of a balloon inflation lumen within said catheter, wherein said vacuum withdraws air from said balloon inflation lumen, balloon, and a directional flow lumen; (b) injecting a harmless fluid within said balloon inflation lumen, said fluid displacing any residual air remaining after said first vacuum step and forcing said residual air to a single, accessible location; and (c) applying a second vacuum on said balloon inflation lumen, wherein said residual air is readily removed from said accessible location.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for purging gases from catheter system, comprising the following steps: (a) applying a first vacuum on the proximal end portion of a balloon inflation lumen within said catheter, wherein said vacuum withdraws air from said balloon inflation lumen, balloon, and a directional flow lumen; (b) injecting a harmless fluid within said balloon inflation lumen, said fluid displacing any residual air remaining after said first vacuum step and forcing said residual air to a single, accessible location; and (c) applying a second vacuum on said balloon inflation lumen, wherein said residual air is readily removed from said accessible location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein a one-way valve means remains closed during said injection step, wherein said residual air is displaced to the distal end of a one-way valve within said directional flow lumen, and wherein said second vacuum step opens said one-way valve means, releasing said residual air on the distal end of said one-way valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein a one-way valve means remains open during said injection step, wherein said residual air is displaced to said balloon on the distal end of said catheter, wherein said injected fluid fills said balloon inflation and directional flow lumens, and wherein said second vacuum step closes said one-way valve means, leaving a reservoir of fluid within said directional flow lumen.