Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A dilatation catheter comprising: an elongate flexible shaft having at least one lumen extending therethrough from its proximal to its distal end; a dilatation balloon mounted on the distal end of the shaft and in fluid communication with the lumen, the balloon having at least three longitudinally extending segments of less wall thickness than the remainder of the balloon; and a fitting for connecting the lumen with an inflation and deflation device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A dilatation catheter comprising: an elongate flexible shaft having at least one lumen extending therethrough from its proximal to its distal end; a dilatation balloon mounted on the distal end of the shaft and in fluid communication with the lumen, the balloon having at least three longitudinally extending segments of less wall thickness than the remainder of the balloon; and a fitting for connecting the lumen with an inflation and deflation device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A dilatation catheter as defined in claim 1 wherein the segments are fold lines extending longitudinally of the balloon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A dilatation catheter as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein the balloon, when deflated, forms at least three pleats about the shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A balloon dilatation catheter as defined in claim 1 wherein the balloon is inelastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A balloon dilatation catheter as defined in claim 4 wherein the balloon is formed from polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A balloon dilatation catheter as defined in claim 4 wherein the balloon is formed from polyethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A balloon dilatation catheter as defined in claim 4 wherein the balloon is formed from polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A dilatation catheter as defined in claim wherein the catheter comprises an angioplasty catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A dilatation catheter as defined in claim 8 wherein the catheter comprises a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty catheter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A balloon for a dilatation catheter comprising: a tubular polymeric member having at least three segments of reduced wall thickness extending longitudinally of the balloon; the balloon being formed to collapse under the influence of reduced internal pressure into a configuration defined by at least three longitudinally extending pleats and alternating wings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A balloon for a dilatation catheter comprising: a tubular polymeric member having at least three segments of reduced wall thickness extending longitudinally of the balloon; the balloon being formed to collapse under the influence of reduced internal pressure into a configuration defined by at least three longitudinally extending pleats and alternating wings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A balloon as defined in claim 10 wherein the segments are lines extending longitudinally of the balloon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tubular extrusion having at least three circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending segments of less wall thickness than the remainder of the extrusion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tubular extrusion having at least three circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending segments of less wall thickness than the remainder of the extrusion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tubular extrusion as defined in claim 12 wherein the segments are lines extending longitudinally of the extrusion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tubular extrusion as defined in claim 12 wherein the extrusion is comprised of a polymeric material.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
41 words
A method for forming a pleated balloon for a dilatation catheter comprising: extruding a tube having at least three longitudinally extending segments of less wall thickness than the remainder of the tube; and biaxially stretching the tube to a predefined shape.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
41 words
A method for forming a pleated balloon for a dilatation catheter comprising: extruding a tube having at least three longitudinally extending segments of less wall thickness than the remainder of the tube; and biaxially stretching the tube to a predefined shape.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method for forming a pleated balloon as defined in claim 15 wherein the step of biaxially stretching the tube comprises: axially stretching the tube while applying positive pressure to the interior of the tube at least during the axial stretching.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method for forming a pleated balloon as defined in claim 15 further comprising: heating the tube at least after the step of extruding.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for performing a dilatation procedure in a lumen of a patient comprising: inserting a guiding conduit to a region to be dilated; providing a dilatation catheter having a balloon that collapses under the influence of negative pressure to a configuration having at least three longitudinally extending pleats and alternating wings; deflating the balloon to the collapsed configuration; passing the catheter with the collapsed balloon through the guide conduit and out the distal end of the guide conduit; inflating the balloon to perform a dilatation and then deflating the balloon to the collapsed configuration; and removing the catheter through the guiding conduit while the wings of the balloon wrapped about the catheter.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for performing a dilatation procedure in a lumen of a patient comprising: inserting a guiding conduit to a region to be dilated; providing a dilatation catheter having a balloon that collapses under the influence of negative pressure to a configuration having at least three longitudinally extending pleats and alternating wings; deflating the balloon to the collapsed configuration; passing the catheter with the collapsed balloon through the guide conduit and out the distal end of the guide conduit; inflating the balloon to perform a dilatation and then deflating the balloon to the collapsed configuration; and removing the catheter through the guiding conduit while the wings of the balloon wrapped about the catheter.