US5961536A — Catheter having a variable length balloon and met…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 195 words

A balloon catheter assembly including a catheter shaft having a distal portion terminating at a distal end, a balloon fluidly connected to the distal end of the catheter shaft, and an adjustment device disposed along the distal portion of the catheter shaft for adjusting effective balloon inflation length, the adjustment device comprising: an outer sleeve generally having a distal end co-axially received over the distal portion of the catheter shaft, at least a portion of the outer sleeve being slidable relative to the distal portion of the catheter shaft, the distal end of the outer sleeve being configured to restrict inflation of the balloon proximal the distal end of the outer sleeve; and attachment means for selectively securing at least a portion of the outer sleeve to the distal portion of the catheter shaft such that the distal end of the outer sleeve is selectively maintained relative to the balloon to define a desired effective balloon inflation length, the attachment means including an enlarged shaft portion proximate the balloon and a locking sleeve generally co-axially received over the outer sleeve, the locking sleeve configured to selectively secure the outer sleeve to the enlarged shaft portion.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 195 words

A balloon catheter assembly including a catheter shaft having a distal portion terminating at a distal end, a balloon fluidly connected to the distal end of the catheter shaft, and an adjustment device disposed along the distal portion of the catheter shaft for adjusting effective balloon inflation length, the adjustment device comprising: an outer sleeve generally having a distal end co-axially received over the distal portion of the catheter shaft, at least a portion of the outer sleeve being slidable relative to the distal portion of the catheter shaft, the distal end of the outer sleeve being configured to restrict inflation of the balloon proximal the distal end of the outer sleeve; and attachment means for selectively securing at least a portion of the outer sleeve to the distal portion of the catheter shaft such that the distal end of the outer sleeve is selectively maintained relative to the balloon to define a desired effective balloon inflation length, the attachment means including an enlarged shaft portion proximate the balloon and a locking sleeve generally co-axially received over the outer sleeve, the locking sleeve configured to selectively secure the outer sleeve to the enlarged shaft portion.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

The adjustment device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the outer sleeve includes a marker for providing a fluoroscopic indication of balloon positioning.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

The adjustment device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the outer sleeve includes a conical ring.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 37 words

The attachment device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the outer sleeve is configured to be an annular shoulder allowing at least partial inflation of the balloon both proximal and distal of the annular shoulder.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

The adjustment device of claim 1, further comprising: markers disposed along a distal portion of the catheter shaft for indicating effective balloon inflation length.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 35 words

The adjustment device of claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve is configured to be adjusted when the balloon is in a deflated state, but cannot be adjusted when the balloon is in an inflated state.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 202 words

A balloon catheter assembly including a catheter shaft having a distal portion terminating at a distal end, a balloon fluidly connected to the distal end of the catheter shaft, and an adjustment device disposed along the distal portion of the catheter shaft for adjusting effective balloon inflation length, the adjustment device comprising: an outer sleeve generally having a distal end co-axially received over the distal portion of the catheter shaft, at least a portion of the outer sleeve being slidable relative to the distal portion of the catheter shaft, the distal end of the outer sleeve being configured to restrict inflation of the balloon proximal the distal end of the outer sleeve; and attachment means for selectively securing at least a portion of the outer sleeve to the distal portion of the catheter shaft such that the distal end of the outer sleeve is selectively maintained relative to the balloon to define a desired effective balloon inflation length, the attachment means including a rib attached to the distal portion of the catheter shaft proximal the balloon, and a locking sleeve generally co-axially received over the outer sleeve, wherein the locking sleeve is configured to selectively secure the outer sleeve to the rib.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 202 words

A balloon catheter assembly including a catheter shaft having a distal portion terminating at a distal end, a balloon fluidly connected to the distal end of the catheter shaft, and an adjustment device disposed along the distal portion of the catheter shaft for adjusting effective balloon inflation length, the adjustment device comprising: an outer sleeve generally having a distal end co-axially received over the distal portion of the catheter shaft, at least a portion of the outer sleeve being slidable relative to the distal portion of the catheter shaft, the distal end of the outer sleeve being configured to restrict inflation of the balloon proximal the distal end of the outer sleeve; and attachment means for selectively securing at least a portion of the outer sleeve to the distal portion of the catheter shaft such that the distal end of the outer sleeve is selectively maintained relative to the balloon to define a desired effective balloon inflation length, the attachment means including a rib attached to the distal portion of the catheter shaft proximal the balloon, and a locking sleeve generally co-axially received over the outer sleeve, wherein the locking sleeve is configured to selectively secure the outer sleeve to the rib.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 70 words

The adjustment device of claim 1, wherein the locking sleeve includes a proximal end, an intermediate portion and a distal end, the proximal end of the locking sleeve having a diameter less than an outer diameter of the rib, and the distal end of the locking sleeve having a diameter greater than the diameter of the proximal end of the locking sleeve and approximating the outer diameter of the rib.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 47 words

The adjustment device of claim 8, wherein the intermediate portion of the locking sleeve expands from the proximal end of the locking sleeve to the distal end of the locking sleeve such that the locking sleeve is configured to frictionally secures the outer sleeve to the rib.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 21 words

The adjustment device of claim 7, wherein the rib is a ring attached to the distal portion of the catheter shaft.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 22 words

The adjustment device of claim 10, wherein the ring includes an inner portion and an outer portion, the outer portion being plastic.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 35 words

The adjustment device of claim 7, wherein the outer sleeve includes a stop collar positioned on a proximal end thereof, the stop collar being configured to prevent the outer sleeve from disengaging the catheter shaft.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 26 words

The adjustment device of claim 12, wherein the stop collar is a rigid body having an inner diameter less than an outer diameter of the rib.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 40 words

The adjustment device of claim 7, wherein the outer sleeve is a relatively flexible body having a relatively rigid distal end such that the outer sleeve permits slight inflation of the balloon proximal the distal end of the outer sleeve.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 34 words

The adjustment device of claim 14, wherein the outer sleeve is defined by a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of the proximal portion.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 143 words

An improved balloon catheter including a balloon fluidly connected to a distal end of a catheter shaft, the improvement comprising: an outer sleeve generally co-axially received over a distal portion of the catheter shaft, the outer sleeve including a proximal end, an intermediate portion and a distal end sized to restrict balloon inflation proximal the distal end, and at least a portion of the intermediate portion being slidable relative to the catheter shaft for an adjusting effective balloon inflation length; and attachment means positioned proximate a distal end of the catheter shaft for selectively securing the distal end of the outer sleeve to the catheter shaft, the attachment means including an enlarged shaft portion proximate the balloon and a locking sleeve generally co-axially received over the outer sleeve, the locking sleeve configured to selectively secure the outer sleeve to the enlarged shaft portion.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 143 words

An improved balloon catheter including a balloon fluidly connected to a distal end of a catheter shaft, the improvement comprising: an outer sleeve generally co-axially received over a distal portion of the catheter shaft, the outer sleeve including a proximal end, an intermediate portion and a distal end sized to restrict balloon inflation proximal the distal end, and at least a portion of the intermediate portion being slidable relative to the catheter shaft for an adjusting effective balloon inflation length; and attachment means positioned proximate a distal end of the catheter shaft for selectively securing the distal end of the outer sleeve to the catheter shaft, the attachment means including an enlarged shaft portion proximate the balloon and a locking sleeve generally co-axially received over the outer sleeve, the locking sleeve configured to selectively secure the outer sleeve to the enlarged shaft portion.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 38 words

The improved balloon catheter of claim 16, wherein the distal end of the outer sleeve is configured to be an annular shoulder, allowing at least partial inflation of the balloon both proximal and distal of the annular shoulder.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 148 words

An improved balloon catheter including a balloon fluidly connected to a distal end of a catheter shaft, the improvement comprising: an outer sleeve generally co-axially received over a distal portion of the catheter shaft, the outer sleeve including a proximal end, an intermediate portion and a distal end sized to restrict balloon inflation proximal the distal end, and at least a portion of the intermediate portion being slidable relative to the catheter shaft for adjusting effective balloon inflation length; and attachment means positioned proximate a distal end of the catheter shaft for selectively securing the distal end of the outer sleeve to the catheter shaft, the attachment means including a rib attached to the distal portion of the catheter shaft proximal the balloon, and a locking sleeve configured to be generally co-axially received over the outer sleeve and configured to selectively secure the outer sleeve to the rib.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 148 words

An improved balloon catheter including a balloon fluidly connected to a distal end of a catheter shaft, the improvement comprising: an outer sleeve generally co-axially received over a distal portion of the catheter shaft, the outer sleeve including a proximal end, an intermediate portion and a distal end sized to restrict balloon inflation proximal the distal end, and at least a portion of the intermediate portion being slidable relative to the catheter shaft for adjusting effective balloon inflation length; and attachment means positioned proximate a distal end of the catheter shaft for selectively securing the distal end of the outer sleeve to the catheter shaft, the attachment means including a rib attached to the distal portion of the catheter shaft proximal the balloon, and a locking sleeve configured to be generally co-axially received over the outer sleeve and configured to selectively secure the outer sleeve to the rib.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 69 words

The improved balloon catheter of claim 18, wherein the locking sleeve includes a proximal end, an intermediate portion and a distal end, the proximal end of the locking sleeve having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the rib, and the distal end of the locking sleeve having a diameter greater than the diameter of the proximal end of the locking sleeve and approximating the diameter of the rib.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 35 words

The improved balloon catheter of claim 18, wherein the outer sleeve includes a stop collar positioned at the proximal end, the stop collar being configured to prevent the outer sleeve from disengaging the catheter shaft.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 209 words

A method of using a variable length balloon catheter, the method comprising: providing a catheter shaft including a distal portion, and having a balloon fluidly connected to a distal end thereof; providing an adjustment device including: an outer sleeve generally co-axially received over the distal portion of the catheter shaft and including a sleeve distal end for restricting balloon inflation proximal the sleeve distal end; attachment means for selectively securing the outer sleeve to the distal portion of the catheter shaft, the attachment means including an enlarged shaft portion proximate the balloon, and a locking sleeve generally co-axially received over the outer sleeve, the locking sleeve configured to selectively secure the outer sleeve to the enlarged shaft portion; determining a desired balloon inflation length; sliding the outer sleeve along the distal portion of the catheter shaft and a portion of the balloon such that the sleeve distal end defines an effective balloon inflation length approximating the desired balloon inflation length; securing the outer sleeve to the distal portion of the catheter shaft by sliding the locking sleeve over the outer sleeve and the enlarged shaft portion until the outer sleeve is secured between the locking sleeve and the enlarged shaft portion; and directing the balloon to a treatment site.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 209 words

A method of using a variable length balloon catheter, the method comprising: providing a catheter shaft including a distal portion, and having a balloon fluidly connected to a distal end thereof; providing an adjustment device including: an outer sleeve generally co-axially received over the distal portion of the catheter shaft and including a sleeve distal end for restricting balloon inflation proximal the sleeve distal end; attachment means for selectively securing the outer sleeve to the distal portion of the catheter shaft, the attachment means including an enlarged shaft portion proximate the balloon, and a locking sleeve generally co-axially received over the outer sleeve, the locking sleeve configured to selectively secure the outer sleeve to the enlarged shaft portion; determining a desired balloon inflation length; sliding the outer sleeve along the distal portion of the catheter shaft and a portion of the balloon such that the sleeve distal end defines an effective balloon inflation length approximating the desired balloon inflation length; securing the outer sleeve to the distal portion of the catheter shaft by sliding the locking sleeve over the outer sleeve and the enlarged shaft portion until the outer sleeve is secured between the locking sleeve and the enlarged shaft portion; and directing the balloon to a treatment site.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 21, wherein securing the outer sleeve of the catheter shaft includes securing the outer sleeve proximate a distal end of the catheter shaft.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 21, wherein the outer sleeve is secured to the distal portion of the catheter shaft such that the outer sleeve cannot be moved upon directing the balloon to the treatment site.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 21, wherein determining a desired balloon inflation length includes measuring a length of a stent to be delivered to the treatment site.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 24, further comprising: securing the stent over the balloon prior to inflation.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-10-04	2003-04-05	2003-10-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-10-04	2007-04-05	2007-10-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-10-04	2011-04-05	2011-10-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Catheter having a variable length balloon and method of using the same

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