Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A miniaturized balloon catheter assembly for use in small vessels comprising: an elongated tubular cannula including an attaching means at one end thereof for attaching to a source of pressurized fluid and having a small outer diameter for insertion into small vessels; an inflatable balloon having resilient, expandable wall means mounted on the opposite end of the cannula and in fluid communication therewith, the cannula and balloon adapted to be carried by the fluid in a vessel to desired locations therein, whereupon attachment of the cannula fluid source of pressurized fluid and introduction of amounts of pressurized fluid flow inflate the balloon; said balloon including an activation means responsive to further amounts of pressures to initiate a desired procedure within the small vessels, said activation means comprising a wall portion of said balloon wall means having a passageway therethrough, said passageway normally being so small that it effectively does not allow the passage of fluid from said balloon through said passageway, but said portion allowing the opening of said passageway in response to a predetermined amount of pressure within said balloon to allow passage of said fluid from said balloon into said vessels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A miniaturized balloon catheter assembly for use in small vessels comprising: an elongated tubular cannula including an attaching means at one end thereof for attaching to a source of pressurized fluid and having a small outer diameter for insertion into small vessels; an inflatable balloon having resilient, expandable wall means mounted on the opposite end of the cannula and in fluid communication therewith, the cannula and balloon adapted to be carried by the fluid in a vessel to desired locations therein, whereupon attachment of the cannula fluid source of pressurized fluid and introduction of amounts of pressurized fluid flow inflate the balloon; said balloon including an activation means responsive to further amounts of pressures to initiate a desired procedure within the small vessels, said activation means comprising a wall portion of said balloon wall means having a passageway therethrough, said passageway normally being so small that it effectively does not allow the passage of fluid from said balloon through said passageway, but said portion allowing the opening of said passageway in response to a predetermined amount of pressure within said balloon to allow passage of said fluid from said balloon into said vessels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A miniaturized balloon catheter assembly as in claim 1 wherein said passageway has a round cross-section with a diameter of approximately 0.001 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A miniaturized balloon catheter as in claim 1 wherein a reinforced portion of said balloon around said passageway forms a plug which extends inwardly into the interior of said balloon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A miniaturized balloon catheter as in claim 3 wherein said passageway has a round cross-section with a diameter of approximately 0.001 inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A miniaturized balloon catheter as in claim 1 wherein said balloon having said passageway is formed by a molding process.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
A miniaturized balloon catheter as in claim 5 wherein said balloon is formed by the process of: dipping a mandril into liquified resilient material of which said balloon is to be constructed, said mandril having the general shape of said balloon but including a pin protruding therefrom at the desired position of said passageway to form said passageway; withdrawing said mandril from said liquified material and hardening the residue of said liquified material on said mandril; removing said hardened material from said mandril, said hardened material forming said balloon having a passageway therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A miniaturized balloon catheter assembly as in claim 6 wherein said pin has a round cross-section with a diameter of approximately 0.001 inch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A miniaturized balloon catheter as in claim 6 wherein said portion of said balloon is reinforced by being thicker than the remainder of said balloon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A miniaturized balloon catheter as in claim 8 wherein said portion protrudes inwardly, into said balloon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A miniaturized balloon catheter as in claim 1 wherein said portion of said balloon is reinforced by being thicker than the remainder of said balloon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A miniaturized balloon catheter as in claim 10 wherein said portion protrudes inwardly, into said balloon.