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US7156860B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Balloon catheter

Assignee: Wallsten Medical SA
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Filing: 2001-05-16
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Granted: 2007-01-02
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Expires: 2021-05-16
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Abstract

Abstract The invention relates to balloon catheters ( 1 ) and methods of treatment for exerting internal pressure on surrounding tissue of a mammalian duct or cavity in a section thereof having a substantially circular cylindrical configuration. The elongate rigid distal section and the intermediate section of the catheter contain a central tube ( 3 ), whose distal part is provided with at least one outlet ( 23 ) for medium within the balloon, and whose intermediate part is surrounded by an axially displaceable tube ( 4 ), onto whose distal end the proximal end of the balloon is attached. The balloon has an envelope which is constituted by at least one substantially gas- and liquid-impermeable and elastic internal layer and an external layer of limited radial expansion, said expansion being substantially independent of the axial length of said balloon. The balloon may he encompassed by a radially expandible stent ( 40 ), or can be equipped with means for supplementing treatment using pressure with heat treatment.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hans I. Wallsten

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 14:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/104; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B2018/1861; A61M2025/0008; A61M25/01; A61M2025/0175; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1061; A61M2025/1068; A61M2025/1075; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/36; A61M5/00; A61M5/44

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim 207 words
Balloon catheter for exerting internal pressure on surrounding tissue of a mammalian duct or cavity in a section thereof having a substantially circular cylindrical configuration comprising: an elongate, rigid distal section and a flexible and elastic balloon accommodating said distal section which, together with said balloon is intended for insertion into said duct or cavity section, means for the supply of a pressure medium for the expansion of said balloon, an intermediate section and a proximal section for operating the device wherein said distal and intermediate sections contain a central tube, a distal part of the central tube is provided with at least one outlet for said medium within said balloon, and an intermediate part of the central tube is surrounded by an axially displaceable tube, a distal end of the displaceable tube has the proximal end of said balloon attached, and said balloon has an envelope which is constituted by at least one substantially gas- and liquid-impermeable and elastic internal layer and a restricting layer of limited radial expansion, said expansion being substantially independent of the axial length of said balloon, and means for axially interlocking said central and axially displaceable tubes to each other in a position corresponding to a desired length of said balloon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 207 words
Balloon catheter for exerting internal pressure on surrounding tissue of a mammalian duct or cavity in a section thereof having a substantially circular cylindrical configuration comprising: an elongate, rigid distal section and a flexible and elastic balloon accommodating said distal section which, together with said balloon is intended for insertion into said duct or cavity section, means for the supply of a pressure medium for the expansion of said balloon, an intermediate section and a proximal section for operating the device wherein said distal and intermediate sections contain a central tube, a distal part of the central tube is provided with at least one outlet for said medium within said balloon, and an intermediate part of the central tube is surrounded by an axially displaceable tube, a distal end of the displaceable tube has the proximal end of said balloon attached, and said balloon has an envelope which is constituted by at least one substantially gas- and liquid-impermeable and elastic internal layer and a restricting layer of limited radial expansion, said expansion being substantially independent of the axial length of said balloon, and means for axially interlocking said central and axially displaceable tubes to each other in a position corresponding to a desired length of said balloon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 47 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 1 , wherein said restricting layer is constituted by one of a braid structure and a spiral structure, and a knitted structure, each structure including filaments of limited elasticity, optionally containing an extra interwoven filament in spiral configuration and of limited elasticity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 2 , wherein the layer of limited radial expansion is attached to at least one flanking layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 1 , wherein said envelope is constituted by a triple-layered structure, where two substantially gas- and liquid-impermeable elastic layers are flanking or embracing a restricting layer of limited radial expansion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 34 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 4 , wherein said layer of limited radial expansion is constituted by a braid structure, the filaments of which have a limited stretchability of about 150 to about 400%.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 5 , wherein the number of filaments is at least about 20 in each direction of winding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 25 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 6 , wherein crossing filaments define an axially directed angle α lying within the range about 100° to about 140°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 25 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 5 , wherein crossing filaments define an axially directed angle α lying within the range about 100° to about 140°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 4 , wherein the layer of limited radial expansion is attached to at least one flanking layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 1 , wherein, as an alternative, said layers are integrated so as to constitute one single layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 22 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 1 , wherein the layer of limited radial expansion is attached to at least one flanking layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 60 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 1 , wherein said central tube is composed of at least two telescopic and concentric partially overlapping tubes, one of which protrudes distally and carries the distal end of the balloon, and the other one of which carries the proximal end of the balloon whereby axial relative displacement of said tubes enables balloon length adjustment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 43 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 1 for treatment of the prostate comprising a positioning balloon attached at the front end of said distal section and being expansible within the urinary bladder by introduction therein of said pressure medium or a separate pressure medium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 20 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 1 , comprising means generating circulation of said pressure medium within or through said balloon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 46 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 14 , comprising a microwave antenna or radio-frequency emitter placed within said distal section, said antenna or emitter creating heat in the interior of surrounding tissue, whereas the circulation pressure medium cools a surface layer of said tissue around the balloon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 15 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 1 comprising a heating means for heating said pressure medium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 16 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 16 , wherein said heating means is positioned within said balloon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 17 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 16 , wherein said heating means is positioned within said intermediate section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 51 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 1 , comprising a radially expansible stent encompassing said balloon, said stent being deformable to expand synchronously with the radial expansion of the balloon when inserted in said duct or cavity, thereby being retained expanded therein upon withdrawal of the catheter from said duct or cavity.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 16 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 19 , wherein said stent is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 20 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 20 , wherein said material is biodegradable, such as selected from PCA, PLLA and PLGA.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 41 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 21 , wherein said stent has been made subject to heat forming at a temperature near melting temperature to give a desired stent configuration as implanted, and then cold formed to a desired configuration for insertion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 41 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 19 , wherein said stent has been made subject to heat forming at a temperature near melting temperature to give a desired stent configuration as implanted, and then cold formed to a desired configuration for insertion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 41 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 23 , wherein said stent has been made subject to heat forming at a temperature near melting temperature to give a desired stent configuration as implanted, and then cold formed to a desired configuration for insertion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 27 words
Balloon catheter according to claim 19 , comprising means for partially deflating the balloon after expansion thereof for maintaining a desired diameter of the stent as implanted.
Claim 27
Independent Claim 145 words
A method of treatment of a mammalian duct or cavity in a section thereof having a substantially circular cylindrical configuration by exerting an internal pressure on surrounding tissue thereof, comprising the steps: a) estimating the axial extension of said section; b) adjusting and securing to each other a central tube and an outer axially displaceable tube with one end of an elastic balloon attached such that a distance between axial ends of the elastic balloon match said axial extension; c) inserting the balloon thus prepared into said duct or cavity section; d) initiating treatment by expanding said balloon by introducing a pressurized fluid therein to exert pressure on said walls to widen to a predetermined degree said duct or cavity within said section by using a balloon of predetermined limited radial expansion; e) deflating said balloon and withdrawing same from said duct or cavity section.
Claim 28
Independent Claim 145 words
A method of treatment of a mammalian duct or cavity in a section thereof having a substantially circular cylindrical configuration by exerting an internal pressure on surrounding tissue thereof, comprising the steps: a) estimating the axial extension of said section; b) adjusting and securing to each other a central tube and an outer axially displaceable tube with one end of an elastic balloon attached such that a distance between axial ends of the elastic balloon match said axial extension; c) inserting the balloon thus prepared into said duct or cavity section; d) initiating treatment by expanding said balloon by introducing a pressurized fluid therein to exert pressure on said walls to widen to a predetermined degree said duct or cavity within said section by using a balloon of predetermined limited radial expansion; e) deflating said balloon and withdrawing same from said duct or cavity section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 72 words
A method according to claim 26 , characterized by the further steps: f) applying onto said balloon before renewed insertion thereof a radially expansible stent capable of radial deformation; g) inserting said balloon carrying said stent into said section; h) expanding said balloon by introducing a pressurized fluid to expand the stent; and i) releasing the pressure to deflate the balloon and withdrawing same leaving the stent behind in an expanded state.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 21 words
A method according to claim 27 , wherein step b) is performed one of after step c), and after step d).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 36 words
A method according to claim 27 , wherein the pressure treatment is combined with heating to maintain pressure and temperature for a period of time to achieve a therapeutic effect in the tissue to be treated.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 21 words
A method according to claim 26 , wherein step b) is performed one of after step c), and after step d).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 36 words
A method according to claim 30 , wherein the pressure treatment is combined with heating to maintain pressure and temperature for a period of time to achieve a therapeutic effect in the tissue to be treated.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 36 words
A method according to claim 26 , wherein the pressure treatment is combined with heating to maintain pressure and temperature for a period of time to achieve a therapeutic effect in the tissue to be treated.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 17 words
A method according to claim 32 , wherein said fluid is circulated within or through said balloon.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 16 words
A method according to claim 33 , wherein said fluid also acts as a heating medium.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method according to claim 34 , directed to treatment of a prostate, comprising heating to maintain a temperature for a period of time resulting in partial necrosis of prostatic tissue.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method according to claim 33 , directed to treatment of a prostate, comprising heating to maintain a temperature for a period of time resulting in partial necrosis of prostatic tissue.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 33 words
A method according to claim 32 , wherein heating is provided by the generation of microwaves, the circulating pressure medium acting as coolant of the surface of surrounding tissue adjacent to the balloon.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method according to claim 37 , directed to treatment of a prostate, comprising heating to maintain a temperature for a period of time resulting in partial necrosis of prostatic tissue.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method according to claim 32 , directed to treatment of a prostate, comprising heating to maintain a temperature for a period of time resulting in partial necrosis of prostatic tissue.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 46 words
A method according to claim 26 , wherein the further step of applying onto the balloon before insertion thereof a radially expansible stent which is expanded by deformation synchronously with the expansion of the balloon said stent being left expanded behind upon removal of said catheter.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 110 words
A method according to claim 40 , wherein said stent is made of a thermoplastic material, the method comprising the steps: a) inserting said balloon carrying said stent into said duct or cavity such as a prostatic urethra; b) expanding said balloon by introducing a pressurized fluid and supplying heat sufficient to soften the stent to expand same and to widen said; c) maintaining pressure and heating for a period of time and at a temperature resulting in partial necrosis of surrounding tissue; d) interrupting heating for lowering temperature to fortify the stent; and e) deflating the balloon and withdrawing same while leaving the stent behind in an expanded state.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 63 words
A method according to claim 41 , wherein said stent is constituted by a thermoplastic polymer and is made subject to heat forming at a temperature near melting temperature to give a desired stent configuration as implanted, and then cold formed to a desired configuration for insertion, the deflation of the balloon in step e) taking place before or simultaneously with interrupting heating.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method according to claim 42 , wherein after step c) the balloon is partially deflated for maintaining a desired diameter of the stent.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method according to claim 41 , wherein after step c) the balloon is partially deflated for maintaining a desired diameter of the stent.

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Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2010-01-01 2010-07-03 2011-01-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
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