US5316016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Imaging balloon catheter and methods for use and manufacture
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 1992-07-07
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Granted: 1994-05-31
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Expires: 2012-07-07
Abstract
Abstract The present invention includes an imaging catheter for providing a three-dimensional representation of a body vessel wall. The imaging catheter includes an expandable deformable balloon which is inserted into a lumen of the body vessel at a position of interest on the vessel wall. After the balloon has been inflated, the balloon is then deflated and withdrawn from the body vessel to provide a three-dimensional image of the position of interest on the vessel wall.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel O. Adams
- 👤 Lixiao Wang
- 👤 David J. Sogard
- 👤 Gary L. Hendrickson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1027; A61M25/1029; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1077; A61B5/1078; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61M2025/0098
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A catheter comprising: a shaft adapted for insertion into a vascular system, said shaft having a distal portion and a fluid passageway that communicates with said distal portion; and an expandable tubular element mounted on the distal end of said shaft and in fluid communication with said fluid passageway to conform to the shape of the vessel when said expandable tubular element is inflated at a first pressure, said expandable tubular element constructed of a material that conforms to the shape of the vessel when said balloon is inflated at a first pressure and maintains the shape of the vessel after said balloon has been deflated and removed from the vascular system and reinflated at a second pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A catheter comprising: a shaft adapted for insertion into a vascular system, said shaft having a distal portion and a fluid passageway that communicates with said distal portion; and an expandable tubular element mounted on the distal end of said shaft and in fluid communication with said fluid passageway to conform to the shape of the vessel when said expandable tubular element is inflated at a first pressure, said expandable tubular element constructed of a material that conforms to the shape of the vessel when said balloon is inflated at a first pressure and maintains the shape of the vessel after said balloon has been deflated and removed from the vascular system and reinflated at a second pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said first pressure is greater than said second pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said first pressure is less than a lesion deforming pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A catheter according to claim 3 wherein the ratio of glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate to polybutylene terephthalate is 3:7 by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said first pressure ranges between 40 and 100 psig.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said first pressure ranges between 40 and 80 psig.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said first pressure ranges between 40 and 60 psig.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said second pressure ranges between 5 and 25 psig.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said second pressure ranges between 5 and 10 psig.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said expandable tubular element is constructed of a blend of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A catheter according to claim 10 wherein the ratio of glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate to polybutylene terephthalate ranges from 1:1 to 1:9 by weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein said expandable tubular element material is a polymeric material that has been biaxially oriented.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for imaging a body vessel lumen, the method comprising: providing an imaging catheter having an expandable balloon mounted at a distal end, the balloon being characterized by an ability to conform to the shape of the vessel wall upon inflation, and return to the conformed shape after deflation and reinflation; advancing the imaging catheter into the body lumen to an imaging position; inflating the balloon so that the balloon is forced against the vessel wall and conforms to the shape of the vessel wall; deflating the balloon and withdrawing the balloon from the lumen; and reinflating the balloon to expand the balloon to assume the balloon's previous shape that corresponds to the shape of the vessel wall thereby providing an image of the lumen.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for imaging a body vessel lumen, the method comprising: providing an imaging catheter having an expandable balloon mounted at a distal end, the balloon being characterized by an ability to conform to the shape of the vessel wall upon inflation, and return to the conformed shape after deflation and reinflation; advancing the imaging catheter into the body lumen to an imaging position; inflating the balloon so that the balloon is forced against the vessel wall and conforms to the shape of the vessel wall; deflating the balloon and withdrawing the balloon from the lumen; and reinflating the balloon to expand the balloon to assume the balloon's previous shape that corresponds to the shape of the vessel wall thereby providing an image of the lumen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said balloon is expanded at a first pressure within the lumen and then reinflated at a second pressure after being withdrawn from the lumen wherein said first pressure is greater than said second pressure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein the body lumen has a lesion or obstruction and a balloon is positioned adjacent the lesion or obstruction such that when the balloon is inflated, the balloon deforms to the shape of the lesion or obstruction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein the balloon is inflated to a pressure that will not deform the lesion or obstruction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein the balloon is constructed of a blend of polybutylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate glycol.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the ratio of glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate to polybutylene terephthalate ranges from 1:1 to 1:9 by weight.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
85 words
A catheter comprising: a shaft adapted for insertion into a vascular system, said shaft having a distal portion and a fluid passageway that communicates with said distal portion; and an expandable tubular element mounted on the distal end of said shaft and in fluid communication with said fluid passageway to conform to the shape of the vessel when said expandable tubular element is inflated at a first pressure, said expandable tubular element constructed of a blend of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
85 words
A catheter comprising: a shaft adapted for insertion into a vascular system, said shaft having a distal portion and a fluid passageway that communicates with said distal portion; and an expandable tubular element mounted on the distal end of said shaft and in fluid communication with said fluid passageway to conform to the shape of the vessel when said expandable tubular element is inflated at a first pressure, said expandable tubular element constructed of a blend of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A catheter to claim 19 wherein the ratio of glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate to polybutylene terephthalate ranges from 1:1 to 1:9 by weight.
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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) | 1997-05-30 | 1997-11-29 | 1998-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-30 | 2001-11-29 | 2002-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-30 | 2005-11-29 | 2006-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |