US5807326A — Retrograde coronary sinus catheter

Claim 1

Independent Claim 269 words

A coronary sinus catheter for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solution into the coronary sinus of a patient's heart, the catheter comprising: a flexible, elongate catheter tube having proximal and distal ends and an outer diameter, and including at least an infusion lumen extending longitudinally through the tube, at least one infusion lumen outlet generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube, and means adjacent the proximal end of the catheter tube for connecting a source of cardioplegia solution to the catheter; and an inflatable balloon on the catheter tube generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube proximally of the infusion lumen outlet, the inflatable balloon being expandable as the balloon is inflated from an un-inflated diameter, approximately equal to the outer diameter of the catheter tube for introducing the catheter into the coronary sinus, to an inflated diameter, substantially greater than the outer diameter of the catheter tube for securing the distal end of the catheter in the coronary sinus; the inflatable balloon having a plurality of outwardly-facing, spaced-apart, segmented, annular ribs or lands for frictionally engaging the coronary sinus, each segmented annular rib or land comprising a plurality of solid, raised, elongate rib portions separated by non-raised portions extending annularly around the periphery of the balloon in alternating fashion, the non-raised portions preferentially stretching in comparison to the raised rib portions as the balloon is inflated to its inflated diameter, the balloon, including the ribs or lands, being integrally molded of generally uniform elastomeric material, each raised rib portion having a non-conical upper surface sloping smoothly and gradually toward the surface of the balloon.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 269 words

A coronary sinus catheter for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solution into the coronary sinus of a patient's heart, the catheter comprising: a flexible, elongate catheter tube having proximal and distal ends and an outer diameter, and including at least an infusion lumen extending longitudinally through the tube, at least one infusion lumen outlet generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube, and means adjacent the proximal end of the catheter tube for connecting a source of cardioplegia solution to the catheter; and an inflatable balloon on the catheter tube generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube proximally of the infusion lumen outlet, the inflatable balloon being expandable as the balloon is inflated from an un-inflated diameter, approximately equal to the outer diameter of the catheter tube for introducing the catheter into the coronary sinus, to an inflated diameter, substantially greater than the outer diameter of the catheter tube for securing the distal end of the catheter in the coronary sinus; the inflatable balloon having a plurality of outwardly-facing, spaced-apart, segmented, annular ribs or lands for frictionally engaging the coronary sinus, each segmented annular rib or land comprising a plurality of solid, raised, elongate rib portions separated by non-raised portions extending annularly around the periphery of the balloon in alternating fashion, the non-raised portions preferentially stretching in comparison to the raised rib portions as the balloon is inflated to its inflated diameter, the balloon, including the ribs or lands, being integrally molded of generally uniform elastomeric material, each raised rib portion having a non-conical upper surface sloping smoothly and gradually toward the surface of the balloon.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 167 words

A retrograde coronary sinus perfusion cannula that comprises: an elongate flexible tube with a central infusion lumen and an integral side lumen for pressure monitoring, the tube having a distal end and a proximal end; an inflatable cuff that encircles the tube adjacent the distal end of the tube, the inflatable cuff being formed of elastomeric material and having a plurality of outwardly-facing, spaced-apart, segmented, annular ribs or lands integrally molded with the cuff for frictionally engaging the coronary sinus, each segmented annular rib or land comprising a plurality of solid raised rib portions separated by non-raised portions extending annularly around the periphery of the cuff in alternating fashion, each raised rib portion having a non-conical upper surface sloping smoothly and gradually toward the surface of the cuff; and an introducer stylet removably received into the proximal end of the central lumen, the introducer stylet having a handle, a relatively rigid proximal portion adjacent the handle, and a relatively flexible shape-retaining distal portion remote from the handle.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 167 words

A retrograde coronary sinus perfusion cannula that comprises: an elongate flexible tube with a central infusion lumen and an integral side lumen for pressure monitoring, the tube having a distal end and a proximal end; an inflatable cuff that encircles the tube adjacent the distal end of the tube, the inflatable cuff being formed of elastomeric material and having a plurality of outwardly-facing, spaced-apart, segmented, annular ribs or lands integrally molded with the cuff for frictionally engaging the coronary sinus, each segmented annular rib or land comprising a plurality of solid raised rib portions separated by non-raised portions extending annularly around the periphery of the cuff in alternating fashion, each raised rib portion having a non-conical upper surface sloping smoothly and gradually toward the surface of the cuff; and an introducer stylet removably received into the proximal end of the central lumen, the introducer stylet having a handle, a relatively rigid proximal portion adjacent the handle, and a relatively flexible shape-retaining distal portion remote from the handle.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

A retrograde coronary sinus perfusion cannula according to claim 2 wherein the relatively flexible shape-retaining distal portion comprises malleable wire.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 231 words

A retrograde coronary sinus perfusion cannula that comprises: an elongate flexible tube with a central infusion lumen and an integral side lumen for pressure monitoring, the tube having a distal end and a proximal end; an inflatable cuff that encircles the tube adjacent the distal end of the tube, the inflatable cuff being formed of elastomeric material and having a plurality of outwardly-facing, spaced-apart, segmented, annular ribs or lands integrally molded with the cuff for frictionally engaging the coronary sinus, each segmented annular rib or land comprising a plurality of solid raised rib portions separated by non-raised portions extending annularly around the periphery of the cuff in alternating fashion: and an introducer stylet removably received into the proximal end of the central lumen, the introducer stylet having a handle, a relatively rigid proximal portion adjacent the handle, and a relatively flexible shape-retaining distal portion remote from the handle; the direction longitudinally along the catheter tube from its proximal end toward its distal end constituting the forward direction, and the raised rib portions having a generally asymmetrical profile along the longitudinal direction of the cannula, the raised rib portions having an upper surface sloping smoothly and gradually forwardly to the surface of the cuff, and a back surface extending from the upper surface more steeply to the surface of the cuff than the upper surface slopes to the surface of the cuff.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 231 words

A retrograde coronary sinus perfusion cannula that comprises: an elongate flexible tube with a central infusion lumen and an integral side lumen for pressure monitoring, the tube having a distal end and a proximal end; an inflatable cuff that encircles the tube adjacent the distal end of the tube, the inflatable cuff being formed of elastomeric material and having a plurality of outwardly-facing, spaced-apart, segmented, annular ribs or lands integrally molded with the cuff for frictionally engaging the coronary sinus, each segmented annular rib or land comprising a plurality of solid raised rib portions separated by non-raised portions extending annularly around the periphery of the cuff in alternating fashion: and an introducer stylet removably received into the proximal end of the central lumen, the introducer stylet having a handle, a relatively rigid proximal portion adjacent the handle, and a relatively flexible shape-retaining distal portion remote from the handle; the direction longitudinally along the catheter tube from its proximal end toward its distal end constituting the forward direction, and the raised rib portions having a generally asymmetrical profile along the longitudinal direction of the cannula, the raised rib portions having an upper surface sloping smoothly and gradually forwardly to the surface of the cuff, and a back surface extending from the upper surface more steeply to the surface of the cuff than the upper surface slopes to the surface of the cuff.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 69 words

A retrograde coronary sinus perfusion cannula according to claim 4 wherein the tube has an outer diameter, and the inflatable cuff is expandable from an un-inflated diameter, generally equal to the outer diameter of the tube for introducing the cannula into the coronary sinus, to an inflated diameter, substantially greater than the outer diameter of the tube for securing the distal end of the cannula in the coronary sinus.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 310 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solution into the coronary sinus of a patient's heart, the catheter assembly comprising: a catheter comprising: a flexible, elongate catheter tube having proximal and distal ends and an outer diameter, and including at least an infusion lumen extending longitudinally through the tube, at least one infusion lumen outlet generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube, and means adjacent the proximal end of the catheter tube for connecting a source of cardioplegia solution to the catheter; and an inflatable balloon on the catheter tube generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube proximally of the infusion lumen outlet, the inflatable balloon having a plurality of outwardly-facing, spaced-apart, segmented, annular ribs or lands integrally molded with the balloon for engaging the coronary sinus, each segmented annular rib or land comprising a plurality of solid raised rib portions separated by non-raised portions extending annularly around the periphery of the balloon in alternating fashion, each raised rib portion having a non-conical upper surface sloping smoothly and gradually toward the surface of the balloon; and a stylet comprising: a handle; and a shaft extending from the handle and adapted to fit within the infusion lumen of the catheter, the shaft comprising: a generally elongate malleable wire having proximal and distal portions; and a generally elongate sleeve surrounding the proximal portion of the malleable wire, the sleeve being relative stiff in comparison with the malleable wire to provide stiffness to a proximal portion of the catheter; the distal portion of the malleable wire extending distally from the sleeve, the distal portion of the malleable wire being readily deformable in comparison with the sleeve, thereby facilitating deforming the malleable wire to hold the distal portion of the catheter in a desired configuration to facilitate the insertion of the catheter into the coronary sinus.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 310 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solution into the coronary sinus of a patient's heart, the catheter assembly comprising: a catheter comprising: a flexible, elongate catheter tube having proximal and distal ends and an outer diameter, and including at least an infusion lumen extending longitudinally through the tube, at least one infusion lumen outlet generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube, and means adjacent the proximal end of the catheter tube for connecting a source of cardioplegia solution to the catheter; and an inflatable balloon on the catheter tube generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube proximally of the infusion lumen outlet, the inflatable balloon having a plurality of outwardly-facing, spaced-apart, segmented, annular ribs or lands integrally molded with the balloon for engaging the coronary sinus, each segmented annular rib or land comprising a plurality of solid raised rib portions separated by non-raised portions extending annularly around the periphery of the balloon in alternating fashion, each raised rib portion having a non-conical upper surface sloping smoothly and gradually toward the surface of the balloon; and a stylet comprising: a handle; and a shaft extending from the handle and adapted to fit within the infusion lumen of the catheter, the shaft comprising: a generally elongate malleable wire having proximal and distal portions; and a generally elongate sleeve surrounding the proximal portion of the malleable wire, the sleeve being relative stiff in comparison with the malleable wire to provide stiffness to a proximal portion of the catheter; the distal portion of the malleable wire extending distally from the sleeve, the distal portion of the malleable wire being readily deformable in comparison with the sleeve, thereby facilitating deforming the malleable wire to hold the distal portion of the catheter in a desired configuration to facilitate the insertion of the catheter into the coronary sinus.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 22 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 6 further comprising a plastic coating on the proximal portion of the malleable wire.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 23 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 7 wherein the plastic coating is colored so that it is visible through the catheter.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 34 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 8 wherein the malleable wire is an annealed stainless steel, the malleable wire having a Tenius-Olsen stiffness of between about 0.005 in/in and about 0.025 in/in.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 28 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 9 wherein the deformable distal portion of the malleable wire has a length shorter than the length of the sleeve.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 40 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 10 wherein the deformable distal portion of the malleable wire has a length of between about 1.5 and 6 inches, and the sleeve has a length of between 9 and 10 inches.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 63 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 8 wherein the inflatable balloon is expandable from an un-inflated diameter, generally equal to the outer diameter of the catheter tube for introducing the catheter into the coronary sinus, to an inflated diameter, substantially greater than the outer diameter of the catheter tube for securing the distal end of the catheter in the coronary sinus.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 31 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 12 wherein the non-raised portions preferentially stretch in comparison to the raised rib portions as the balloon is inflated to its inflated diameter.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 70 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 13 wherein any two ribs or lands that are not separated from one another by a third rib or land constitute adjacent ribs or lands, and the raised rib portions of adjacent ribs or lands are staggered such that the raised rib portions of one rib or land are generally longitudinally aligned with the non-raised portions of the adjacent rib or land.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 25 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 14 wherein the plurality of segmented ribs or lands comprises three to seven segmented ribs or lands.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 32 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 14 wherein each segmented rib or land have the same number of raised rib portions and non-raised portions as the other ribs or lands.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 34 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 6 wherein the malleable wire is an annealed stainless steel, the malleable wire having a Tenius-Olsen stiffness of between about 0.005 in/in and about 0.025 in/in.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 28 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 6 wherein the deformable distal portion of the malleable wire has a length shorter than the length of the sleeve.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 40 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 18 wherein the deformable distal portion of the malleable wire has a length of between about 1.5 and 6 inches, and the sleeve has a length of between 9 and 10 inches.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 63 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 6 wherein the inflatable balloon is expandable from an un-inflated diameter, generally equal to the outer diameter of the catheter tube for introducing the catheter into the coronary sinus, to an inflated diameter, substantially greater than the outer diameter of the catheter tube for securing the distal end of the catheter in the coronary sinus.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 31 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 20 wherein the non-raised portions preferentially stretch in comparison to the raised rib portions as the balloon is inflated to its inflated diameter.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 31 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 6 wherein the non-raised portions preferentially stretch in comparison to the raised rib portions as the balloon is inflated to an inflated diameter.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 25 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 6 wherein the plurality of segmented ribs or lands comprises three to seven segmented ribs or lands.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 32 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 6 wherein each segmented rib or land has the same number of raised rib portions and non-raised portions as the other ribs or lands.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 29 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 6 wherein the raised rib portions of adjacent ribs or lands are generally aligned along the longitudinal direction of the catheter.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 380 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solution into the coronary sinus of a patient's heart, the catheter assembly comprising: a catheter comprising: a flexible, elongate catheter tube having proximal and distal ends and an outer diameter, and including at least an infusion lumen extending longitudinally through the tube, at least one infusion lumen outlet generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube, and means adjacent the proximal end of the catheter tube for connecting a source of cardioplegia solution to the catheter; and an inflatable balloon on the catheter tube generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube proximally of the infusion lumen outlet, the inflatable balloon being formed of elastomeric material and having a plurality of outwardly-facing, spaced-apart, segmented, annular ribs or lands integrally molded with the balloon for frictionally engaging the coronary sinus, each segmented annular rib or land comprising a plurality of solid raised rib portions separated by non-raised portions extending annularly around the periphery of the balloon in alternating fashion; the direction along the catheter tube from its proximal end toward its distal end constituting the forward direction, and the raised rib portions having a generally asymmetrical profile along the longitudinal direction of the catheter, the raised rib portions having an upper surface sloping smoothly and gradually forwardly to the surface of the balloon, and a back surface extending from the upper surface more steeply to the surface of the balloon than the upper surface slopes to the surface of the balloon; and a stylet comprising: a handle; and a shaft extending from the handle and adapted to fit within the infusion lumen of the catheter, the shaft comprising: a generally elongate malleable wire having proximal and distal portions: and a generally elongate sleeve surrounding the proximal portion of the malleable wire, the sleeve being relative stiff in comparison with the malleable wire to provide stiffness to a proximal portion of the catheter; the distal portion of the malleable wire extending distally from the sleeve, the distal portion of the malleable wire being readily deformable in comparison with the sleeve, thereby facilitating deforming the malleable wire to hold the distal portion of the catheter in a desired configuration to facilitate the insertion of the catheter into the coronary sinus.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 380 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solution into the coronary sinus of a patient's heart, the catheter assembly comprising: a catheter comprising: a flexible, elongate catheter tube having proximal and distal ends and an outer diameter, and including at least an infusion lumen extending longitudinally through the tube, at least one infusion lumen outlet generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube, and means adjacent the proximal end of the catheter tube for connecting a source of cardioplegia solution to the catheter; and an inflatable balloon on the catheter tube generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube proximally of the infusion lumen outlet, the inflatable balloon being formed of elastomeric material and having a plurality of outwardly-facing, spaced-apart, segmented, annular ribs or lands integrally molded with the balloon for frictionally engaging the coronary sinus, each segmented annular rib or land comprising a plurality of solid raised rib portions separated by non-raised portions extending annularly around the periphery of the balloon in alternating fashion; the direction along the catheter tube from its proximal end toward its distal end constituting the forward direction, and the raised rib portions having a generally asymmetrical profile along the longitudinal direction of the catheter, the raised rib portions having an upper surface sloping smoothly and gradually forwardly to the surface of the balloon, and a back surface extending from the upper surface more steeply to the surface of the balloon than the upper surface slopes to the surface of the balloon; and a stylet comprising: a handle; and a shaft extending from the handle and adapted to fit within the infusion lumen of the catheter, the shaft comprising: a generally elongate malleable wire having proximal and distal portions: and a generally elongate sleeve surrounding the proximal portion of the malleable wire, the sleeve being relative stiff in comparison with the malleable wire to provide stiffness to a proximal portion of the catheter; the distal portion of the malleable wire extending distally from the sleeve, the distal portion of the malleable wire being readily deformable in comparison with the sleeve, thereby facilitating deforming the malleable wire to hold the distal portion of the catheter in a desired configuration to facilitate the insertion of the catheter into the coronary sinus.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 22 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 26 further comprising a plastic coating on the proximal portion of the malleable wire.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 23 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 27 wherein the plastic coating is colored so that it is visible through the catheter.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 34 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 28 wherein the malleable wire is an annealed stainless steel, the malleable wire having a Tenius-Olsen stiffness of between about 0.005 in/in and about 0.025 in/in.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 28 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 29 wherein the deformable distal portion of the malleable wire has a length shorter than the length of the sleeve.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 40 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 30 wherein the deformable distal portion of the malleable wire has a length of between about 1.5 and 6 inches, and the sleeve has a length of between 9 and 10 inches.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 63 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 28 wherein the inflatable balloon is expandable from an un-inflated diameter, generally equal to the outer diameter of the catheter tube for introducing the catheter into the coronary sinus, to an inflated diameter, substantially greater than the outer diameter of the catheter tube for securing the distal end of the catheter in the coronary sinus.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 31 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 32 wherein the non-raised portions preferentially stretch in comparison to the raised rib portions as the balloon is inflated to its inflated diameter.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 70 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 33 wherein any two ribs or lands that are not separated from one another by a third rib or land constitute adjacent ribs or lands, and the raised rib portions of adjacent ribs or lands are staggered such that the raised rib portions of one rib or land are generally longitudinally aligned with the non-raised portions of the adjacent rib or land.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 25 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 34 wherein the plurality of segmented ribs or lands comprises three to seven segmented ribs or lands.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 32 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 34 wherein each segmented rib or land have the same number of raised rib portions and non-raised portions as the other ribs or lands.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 438 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solution into the coronary sinus of a patient's heart, the catheter assembly comprising: a catheter comprising: a flexible, elongate catheter tube having proximal and distal ends and an outer diameter, and including at least an infusion lumen extending longitudinally through the tube and a lumen for pressure monitoring, at least one infusion lumen outlet generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube, and means adjacent the proximal end of the catheter tube for connecting a source of cardioplegia solution to the catheter, the direction longitudinally along the catheter from its proximal end toward its distal end constituting the forward direction; and an inflatable balloon on the catheter tube generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube proximally of the infusion lumen outlet, the inflatable balloon being formed of elastomeric material and having a plurality of outwardly-facing, spaced-apart, segmented, annular ribs or lands integrally molded with the balloon for frictionally engaging the coronary sinus, each segmented annular rib or land comprising a plurality of solid raised rib portions separated by non-raised portions extending annularly around the periphery of the balloon in alternating fashion, the inflatable balloon being expandable from an un-inflated diameter, generally equal to the outer diameter of the catheter tube for introducing the catheter into the coronary sinus, to an inflated diameter, substantially greater than the outer diameter of the catheter tube for securing the distal end of the catheter in the coronary sinus, the raised rib portions having a generally asymmetrical profile along the longitudinal direction of the catheter, the raised rib portions having an upper surface sloping smoothly and gradually forwardly to the surface of the balloon, and a back surface extending from the upper surface more steeply to the surface of the balloon than the upper surface slopes to the surface of the balloon; and a stylet comprising: a handle; and a shaft extending from the handle and adapted to fit within the infusion lumen of the catheter, the shaft comprising: a generally elongate malleable wire having proximal and distal portions; and a generally elongate sleeve surrounding the proximal portion, of the malleable wire, the sleeve being relative stiff in comparison with the malleable wire to provide stiffness to a proximal portion of the catheter; the distal portion of the malleable wire extending distally from the sleeve, the distal portion of the malleable wire being readily deformable in comparison with the sleeve, thereby facilitating deforming the malleable wire to hold the distal portion of the catheter in a desired configuration to facilitate the insertion of the catheter into the coronary sinus.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 438 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly for the retrograde infusion of cardioplegia solution into the coronary sinus of a patient's heart, the catheter assembly comprising: a catheter comprising: a flexible, elongate catheter tube having proximal and distal ends and an outer diameter, and including at least an infusion lumen extending longitudinally through the tube and a lumen for pressure monitoring, at least one infusion lumen outlet generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube, and means adjacent the proximal end of the catheter tube for connecting a source of cardioplegia solution to the catheter, the direction longitudinally along the catheter from its proximal end toward its distal end constituting the forward direction; and an inflatable balloon on the catheter tube generally adjacent the distal end of the catheter tube proximally of the infusion lumen outlet, the inflatable balloon being formed of elastomeric material and having a plurality of outwardly-facing, spaced-apart, segmented, annular ribs or lands integrally molded with the balloon for frictionally engaging the coronary sinus, each segmented annular rib or land comprising a plurality of solid raised rib portions separated by non-raised portions extending annularly around the periphery of the balloon in alternating fashion, the inflatable balloon being expandable from an un-inflated diameter, generally equal to the outer diameter of the catheter tube for introducing the catheter into the coronary sinus, to an inflated diameter, substantially greater than the outer diameter of the catheter tube for securing the distal end of the catheter in the coronary sinus, the raised rib portions having a generally asymmetrical profile along the longitudinal direction of the catheter, the raised rib portions having an upper surface sloping smoothly and gradually forwardly to the surface of the balloon, and a back surface extending from the upper surface more steeply to the surface of the balloon than the upper surface slopes to the surface of the balloon; and a stylet comprising: a handle; and a shaft extending from the handle and adapted to fit within the infusion lumen of the catheter, the shaft comprising: a generally elongate malleable wire having proximal and distal portions; and a generally elongate sleeve surrounding the proximal portion, of the malleable wire, the sleeve being relative stiff in comparison with the malleable wire to provide stiffness to a proximal portion of the catheter; the distal portion of the malleable wire extending distally from the sleeve, the distal portion of the malleable wire being readily deformable in comparison with the sleeve, thereby facilitating deforming the malleable wire to hold the distal portion of the catheter in a desired configuration to facilitate the insertion of the catheter into the coronary sinus.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 31 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 37 wherein the non-raised portions preferentially stretch in comparison, to the raised rib portions as the balloon is inflated to its inflated diameter.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 70 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 38 wherein any two ribs or lands that are not separated from one another by a third rib or land constitute adjacent ribs or lands, and the raised rib portions of adjacent ribs or lands are staggered such that the raised rib portions of one rib or land are generally longitudinally aligned with the non-raised portions of the adjacent rib or land.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 25 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 39 wherein the plurality of segmented ribs or lands comprises three to seven segmented ribs or lands.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 32 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 40 wherein each segmented rib or land has the same number of raised rib portions and non-raised portions as the other ribs or lands.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 46 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 37 wherein the raised rib portions of adjacent ribs or lands are staggered such that the raised rib portions of one rib or land are generally longitudinally aligned with the non-raised portions of the adjacent rib or land.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 25 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 42 wherein the plurality of segmented ribs or lands comprises three to seven segmented ribs or lands.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 32 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 43 wherein each segmented rib or land having the same number of raised rib portions and non-raised portions as the other ribs or lands.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 25 words

A coronary sinus catheter assembly according to claim 37 wherein the plurality of segmented ribs or lands comprises three to seven segmented ribs or lands.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-09-14	2002-03-16	2002-09-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-09-14	2006-03-16	2006-09-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-09-14	2010-03-16	2010-09-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Retrograde coronary sinus catheter

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