Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A catheter, comprising: an elongated tube having a wall defining a main lumen therein, a distal end insertable into a body and a proximal end; at least one port extending through said wall providing fluid communication between said main lumen and the exterior of said tube, said port being defined by edges and being located adjacent said distal end; an inflatable balloon having a tubular portion, one closed end and one open end, said balloon being mounted on and enveloping said tube distal end, and being adhered to said tube on the side of said port remote from said distal end about said open end; at least one opening extending through said tubular portion of said balloon and aligned with said port and being defined by a periphery, said periphery of said opening being completely adhered to said edges of said port; and an inflation lumen in said tube for conducting fluid pressure to and from said balloon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A catheter, comprising: an elongated tube having a wall defining a main lumen therein, a distal end insertable into a body and a proximal end; at least one port extending through said wall providing fluid communication between said main lumen and the exterior of said tube, said port being defined by edges and being located adjacent said distal end; an inflatable balloon having a tubular portion, one closed end and one open end, said balloon being mounted on and enveloping said tube distal end, and being adhered to said tube on the side of said port remote from said distal end about said open end; at least one opening extending through said tubular portion of said balloon and aligned with said port and being defined by a periphery, said periphery of said opening being completely adhered to said edges of said port; and an inflation lumen in said tube for conducting fluid pressure to and from said balloon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A catheter according to claim 1, wherein only a single balloon is provided.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
A catheter according to claim 1, wherein said balloon is unitary.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A catheter according to claim 1, wherein a lower portion of said balloon above said open end adhered to said tube provides means for sealing off a patient's prostate area upon inflation of said balloon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A catheter according to claim 1, wherein said edges of said port tapers inwardly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A catheter according to claim 1, and further comprising a supply lumen in said tube for conveying fluid into the body; and a supply aperture in said tube wall providing fluid communication between said supply lumen and the exterior of said tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A catheter according to claim 6, wherein said balloon has a cylindrical portion spaced from said ends thereof which is adhered to said tube, and said supply aperture extends through said cylindrical portion and said tube wall adjacent thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A catheter according to claim 7, wherein said balloon has upper and lower inflatable sections separated by said cylindrical portion, and said inflation lumen is in fluid communication with each said section through separate inflation apertures formed in said tube wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
A catheter according to claim 7, wherein two ports defined by edges extend through said wall adjacent said distal end and two openings defined by peripheries extend through said tubular portion of said balloon in alignment with said ports; and wherein said balloon is adhered to said tube only between said balloon opening peripheries and said tube port edges, between said balloon cylindrical portion and an adjacent portion of said tube, and between said balloon open end and an adjacent portion of said tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
A catheter according to claim 1, wherein two ports defined by edges extend through said wall adjacent said distal end and two openings defined by peripheries extend through said tubular portion of said balloon in alignment with said ports; and wherein said balloon is adhered to said tube only between said balloon opening peripheries and said tube port edges and between said balloon open end and an adjacent portion of said tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A catheter according to claim 1, wherein said tube comprises a tip member and a flexible hose coupled thereto, and said balloon extends over the juncture therebetween.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A catheter according to claim 1, wherein two ports defined by edges extend through said wall adjacent said distal end and two openings defined by peripheries extend through said tubular portion of said balloon in alignment with said ports.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A catheter according to claim 1, and further comprising: a supply lumen in said tube for conveying fluid into the body; and a supply aperture in said tube wall and said balloon providing fluid communication between said supply lumen and the exterior of said tube and said balloon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A catheter according to claim 13, wherein said supply aperture is located between said distal end of said tube and said port.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A catheter according to claim 13, wherein a plug is fixed in said main lumen between said distal end and said port to close said main lumen thereat, and said supply aperture is located between said plug and said distal end.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A catheter according to claim 15, wherein said plug is spaced within said main lumen to define a cavity thereabove opening on said distal end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A catheter according to claim 16, wherein said closed end of said balloon extends into said cavity, and lines and is adhered to said tube in said cavity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A catheter according to claim 17, wherein said supply aperture opens into said cavity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A catheter according to claim 15, wherein said plug is formed of relatively rigid material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
8 words
A catheter according to claim 1, further comprising
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
a supply lumen in said tube for conveying fluid into the body; a plug attached to said balloon and fixed in said main lumen adjacent said distal end to close said main lumen thereat; and a supply aperture in said tube wall and said plug providing fluid communication between said supply lumen and the exterior of said tube and said balloon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
61 words
a supply lumen in said tube for conveying fluid into the body; a plug attached to said balloon and fixed in said main lumen adjacent said distal end to close said main lumen thereat; and a supply aperture in said tube wall and said plug providing fluid communication between said supply lumen and the exterior of said tube and said balloon.