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EP0366478A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Balloon catheter

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-10-27
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2009-10-27
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Abstract

Abstract Disclosed herein is a double lumen catheter assembly (10) having an expandable or inflatable balloon element (16) which can be fully stretched longitudinally while preventing stretching of the catheter outer and inner tubes (12 and 14). The balloon element (16) is fixedly attached at its respective ends to the open distal ends of the outer and inner tubes. An elongated flexible pusher member (44) is adapted to be inserted into the inner catheter tube (14) when the stretching of the balloon element is required. The pusher member has a hardness greater than the catheter tubes. When inserted into the inner catheter tube (14) and moved relative to the outher catheter tube (12), the pusher member (44) comes into abutting engagement with a rigid stop member (26) provided in the distal end of the inner catheter tube. Continued forward movement of the pusher member relative to the outer catheter tube causes the balloon element (16) to be stretched longitudinally into a geometric shape that provides for easy insertion into a blood vessel.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kanji Inoue

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 03:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1027; A61M25/1006

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim 152 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a double lumen catheter including an elongated outer flexible tube and an elongated inner flexibile tube movably disposed in the outer flexible tube, each of the outer and inner flexible tubes having an open distal end, the inner and outer tubes being longitudinally displaceable relative to each other; a balloon element fixedly attached at its respective ends to the open distal ends of the outer and inner tubes; stopper means provided in the distal end of the inner flexible tube; and an elongated pusher means movably disposed in the inner flexible tube and having a distal end operatively associated with the stopper means, the pusher means being adapted to be moved relative to the outer flexible tube for causing the balloon element to be stretched in the longitudinal direction to have a reduced cross section, whereby the balloon catheter is easily inserted into and moved within blood vessels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 152 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a double lumen catheter including an elongated outer flexible tube and an elongated inner flexibile tube movably disposed in the outer flexible tube, each of the outer and inner flexible tubes having an open distal end, the inner and outer tubes being longitudinally displaceable relative to each other; a balloon element fixedly attached at its respective ends to the open distal ends of the outer and inner tubes; stopper means provided in the distal end of the inner flexible tube; and an elongated pusher means movably disposed in the inner flexible tube and having a distal end operatively associated with the stopper means, the pusher means being adapted to be moved relative to the outer flexible tube for causing the balloon element to be stretched in the longitudinal direction to have a reduced cross section, whereby the balloon catheter is easily inserted into and moved within blood vessels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
A catheter assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the hardness of the pusher means is greater than that of the catheter tubes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 93 words
A catheter assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising cord means disposed between the outer and inner catheter tubes and extending over a distance substantially equal to the length of the outer tube, the cord means being made of an inelastic material to resist stretching to an extent substantially greater than the catheter tubes, the cord means being fixedly attached at its respective ends to the distal and proximal ends of the outer catheter tube to prevent the outer flexible tube from being stretched during the stretching of the balloon element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 39 words
A catheter assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the stop means comprises a rigid ring having a longitudinal section of small inner diameter adapted to be in abutting engagement with the distal end of the pusher means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 54 words
A catheter assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a connector ring disposed in the open distal end of the outer catheter tube, the open distal end of the outer tube and the proximal end of the balloon element being fitted over the connector ring for firm attachment thereto by fastener means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 38 words
A catheter assembly as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a layer of adhesive material disposed on the connector ring for providing a smooth outer surface, the fastener means being embedded in the layer of adhesive material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 43 words
A catheter assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein the connector ring has a rough outer surface over which the open distal end of the outer catheter tube and the proximal end of the balloon element are fitted in frictionally engaging relationship.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
A catheter assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein the connector ring is flared outwardly at both ends thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 29 words
A catheter assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pusher member comprises an elongated hollow tubular member into which a guide wire is adapted to be inserted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 49 words
A catheter assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the balloon element is comprised of outer and inner rubber plys and a fiber ply disposed therebetween for preventing lateral expansion of the balloon element or withstanding higher fluid pressures so as to prevent rupture of the balloon element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 116 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a double lumen catheter including an elongated outer flexible tube and an elongated inner flexible tube movably disposed in the outer flexible tube, each of the outer and inner flexible tubes having an open distal end, the inner and outer tubes being longitudinally displaceable relative to each other; a balloon element fixedly attached at its respective ends to the open distal ends of the outer and inner tubes, and; a connector ring disposed in the open distal end of the outer catheter tube; the open distal end of the outer tube and the proximal end of the balloon element being fitted over the connector ring for firm attachment thereto by fastener means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 116 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a double lumen catheter including an elongated outer flexible tube and an elongated inner flexible tube movably disposed in the outer flexible tube, each of the outer and inner flexible tubes having an open distal end, the inner and outer tubes being longitudinally displaceable relative to each other; a balloon element fixedly attached at its respective ends to the open distal ends of the outer and inner tubes, and; a connector ring disposed in the open distal end of the outer catheter tube; the open distal end of the outer tube and the proximal end of the balloon element being fitted over the connector ring for firm attachment thereto by fastener means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 38 words
A catheter assembly as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a layer of adhesive material disposed on the connector ring for providing a smooth outer surface, the fastener means being embedded in the layer of adhesive material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 43 words
A catheter assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein the connector ring has a rough outer surface over which the open distal end of the outer catheter tube and the proximal end of the balloon element are fitted in frictionally engaging relationship.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 20 words
A catheter assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein the connector ring is flared outwardly at both ends thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 49 words
A catheter assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein the balloon element is comprised of outer and inner rubber plys and a fiber ply disposed therebetween for preventing lateral expansion of the balloon element or withstanding excessive fluid pressures so as to prevent rupture of the balloon element.

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