Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A balloon catheter, comprising: a. an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; b. a balloon connected to the distal end of the elongate tubular member, the balloon having an interior in fluid communication with the inside of the elongate tubular member; c. a contrast displacement rod having a portion thereof slidably disposed in the tubular member such that the balloon may be expanded upon longitudinal actuation of the rod, the rod including a stop mechanism to inhibit removal of the rod from the tubular member; and d. a seal connected to the proximal end of the tubular member and disposed about the displacement rod to create a liquid seal between the inside of the tubular member and the displacement rod.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A balloon catheter, comprising: a. an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; b. a balloon connected to the distal end of the elongate tubular member, the balloon having an interior in fluid communication with the inside of the elongate tubular member; c. a contrast displacement rod having a portion thereof slidably disposed in the tubular member such that the balloon may be expanded upon longitudinal actuation of the rod, the rod including a stop mechanism to inhibit removal of the rod from the tubular member; and d. a seal connected to the proximal end of the tubular member and disposed about the displacement rod to create a liquid seal between the inside of the tubular member and the displacement rod.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 1, further comprising: e. a pressure gauge connected to the proximal end of the elongate tubular member and in fluid communication with the interior of the balloon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 2, wherein the seal is an o-ring type seal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 2, wherein the seal is a gap tolerance type seal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 2, wherein the elongate tubular member contains a guide wire lumen extending at least partially therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 5, wherein the guide wire lumen extends the full length of the elongate tubular member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 5, wherein the guide wire lumen extends from a point distal of the proximal end of the elongate tubular member to the distal end of the elongate tubular member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 5, further comprising; f. a one-way-valve connected to the distal end of the elongate tubular member, the one-way-valve permitting a pressurized contrast to flow from the guide wire lumen to the interior of the balloon while preventing the pressurized contrast to flow from the interior of the balloon to the guide wire lumen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 8, wherein the proximal end of the guide wire lumen is releasably connected to a contrast plug and the distal end of the guide wire lumen is releasably connected to a pressurized contrast source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 9, wherein the pressurized liquid source is releasably connected to the distal end of the guide wire lumen with a tubular member disposed about the balloon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 10, wherein the tubular member retains the balloon in a contracted state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 11, wherein a portion of the elongate tubular member traverses the interior of the balloon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 12, wherein the one-way-valve is connected to the portion of the elongate tubular member which traverses the interior of the balloon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 13, wherein the one-way-valve includes an elastomer tube disposed about a hole in the portion of the elongate tubular member which traverses the interior of the balloon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A balloon catheter as in claim 2, wherein the elongate tubular member contains a core wire fixed therein, the core wire having a distally mounted spring tip.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of using a balloon catheter, comprising the steps of: a. providing a balloon catheter wherein the balloon catheter includes: i. an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; ii. a balloon connected to the distal end of the elongate tubular member, the balloon having an interior in fluid communication with the inside of the elongate tubular member; iii. a contrast displacement rod having a portion thereof slidably disposed in the tubular member such that the balloon may be expanded upon longitudinal actuation of the rod, the rod including a stop mechanism to inhibit removal of the rod from the tubular member; and iv. a seal connected to the proximal end of the tubular member and disposed about the displacement rod to create a liquid seal between the inside of the tubular member and the displacement rod; b. inserting the balloon catheter into a vascular system of a patient; c. positioning the balloon catheter adjacent a treatment site in the vascular system; d. displacing the rod to at least partially expand the balloon; e. displacing the rod to at least partially contract the balloon; and f. withdrawing the balloon catheter from the vascular system.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of using a balloon catheter, comprising the steps of: a. providing a balloon catheter wherein the balloon catheter includes: i. an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end; ii. a balloon connected to the distal end of the elongate tubular member, the balloon having an interior in fluid communication with the inside of the elongate tubular member; iii. a contrast displacement rod having a portion thereof slidably disposed in the tubular member such that the balloon may be expanded upon longitudinal actuation of the rod, the rod including a stop mechanism to inhibit removal of the rod from the tubular member; and iv. a seal connected to the proximal end of the tubular member and disposed about the displacement rod to create a liquid seal between the inside of the tubular member and the displacement rod; b. inserting the balloon catheter into a vascular system of a patient; c. positioning the balloon catheter adjacent a treatment site in the vascular system; d. displacing the rod to at least partially expand the balloon; e. displacing the rod to at least partially contract the balloon; and f. withdrawing the balloon catheter from the vascular system.