Catheter having a variable length shaft segment and method of use

Claim 1

A catheter device having a variable length guidewire lumen adapted for use with a conventional length guidewire, comprising: (a) an elongated inflation shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and an inflation lumen extending longitudinally throughout its length; (b) an extension shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and an extension lumen extending longitudinally throughout its length, the extension shaft proximal end being disposed adjacent the distal end of the inflation shaft such that the inflation lumen and the extension lumen are in fluid communication and form a continuous passageway therethrough; (c) a guidewire shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a guidewire lumen extending throughout its length, the guidewire shaft disposed longitudinally throughout the length of the extension shaft, the distal end of the guidewire shaft extending beyond the distal end of the extension shaft, and the guidewire lumen dimensioned to slidably receive the guidewire; (d) a balloon member having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end of the balloon member being coupled to the distal end of the extension shaft, the distal end of the balloon member being coupled to the guidewire shaft adjacent the distal end of the guidewire shaft, the balloon member defining an interior cavity in fluid communication with the extension lumen; and (e) a variable length shaft formed of an elastomeric material and having a proximal end, a distal end, an outside surface and a variable length guidewire lumen, wherein the distal end of the variable length shaft is coupled to the extension shaft and the proximal end of the variable length shaft may be rolled and unrolled about the outside surface thereof to selectively vary the length of the variable length guidewire lumen.

Claim 9

A method for loading and unloading a balloon catheter device having a variable length shaft segment over a conventional length guidewire without the use of an exchange wire or a guidewire extension, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a guiding catheter in a patient's vasculature; (b) disposing an adapter at the proximal end of the guiding catheter, such that the adapter is positioned immediately outside the patient's body and concentric with an incision; (c) opening the adapter and inserting the conventional length guidewire having a distal end and a proximal end into the guiding catheter and advancing the distal end of the guidewire to a treatment site within the patient's vasculature; (d) loading the balloon catheter over the proximal end of the guidewire and advancing the balloon catheter through the adapter into the guiding catheter; (e) coupling the balloon catheter to the adapter; (f) maintaining the distal end of the guidewire in position across the treatment site by gripping the guidewire at a position immediately proximate the adapter; (g) advancing the balloon catheter over the guidewire such that a balloon member of the balloon catheter is across the treatment site by pushing an inflation shaft of the balloon catheter toward the adapter and thereby unrolling the variable length shaft segment; (h) unloading the balloon catheter by gripping the inflation shaft proximate the adapter and withdrawing the inflation shaft through the adapter until the variable length shaft segment is in the rolled up state; (i) decoupling the balloon catheter and the adapter; (j) gripping the proximal end of the guidewire with one hand and pulling the inflation shaft until the balloon catheter is withdrawn from the patient; and (k) gripping the guidewire at a position distal the balloon catheter and pulling the balloon catheter off the proximal end of the guidewire.

Claim 10

A method for loading and unloading a balloon catheter device having a variable length shaft segment over a conventional length guidewire without the use of an exchange wire or a guidewire extension, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a guiding catheter in a patient's vasculature; (b) disposing an adapter at the proximal end of the guiding catheter, such that the adapter is positioned immediately outside the patient's body and concentric with an incision; (c) opening the adapter and inserting the conventional length guidewire having a distal end and a proximal end into the guiding catheter and advancing the distal end of the guidewire to a treatment site within the patient's vasculature; (d) loading the balloon catheter over the proximal end of the guidewire and advancing the balloon catheter through the adapter into the guiding catheter; (e) coupling the balloon catheter to the adapter; (f) maintaining the distal end of the guidewire in position across the treatment site by gripping the guidewire at a position immediately proximate the adapter; (g) advancing the balloon catheter over the guidewire such that a balloon member of the balloon catheter is across the treatment site by pushing an inflation shaft of the balloon catheter toward the adapter and thereby unrolling the variable length shaft segment; (h) unloading the balloon catheter by gripping the inflation shaft proximate the adapter and withdrawing the inflation shaft through the adapter until the variable length shaft segment is in the rolled up state; (i) decoupling the balloon catheter and the adapter; (j) gripping the proximal end of the guidewire with one hand and pulling the inflation shaft until the balloon catheter is withdrawn from the patient; and (k) gripping the guidewire at a position distal the balloon catheter and pulling the balloon catheter off the proximal end of the guidewire.