US5084060A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for enlarging a vessel or clearing obstructive tissue from a vessel according to vessel compliance
Assignee: NEW DIMENSIONS IN CARDIOLOGY
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Filing: 1989-02-15
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Granted: 1992-01-28
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Expires: 2009-02-15
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for clearing obstructive tissue from a body vessel or enlarging the lumen of the vessel comprises a balloon catheter which is insertable into the vessel of a patient to position the balloon in the area to be enlarged or against the obstructive tissue. A syringe is provided to incrementally inflate the balloon with a reasonably incompressible fluid to apply pressure against the inside of the vessel for opening the vessel. A pressure transducer senses fluid pressure in the balloon and an interval timer is used to monitor the rate of change in this fluid pressure. The rates of change in fluid pressure between the incremental inflations are monitored to determine vessel compliance, to determine when the stenosis is cleared, and to indicate when the vessel is stretched to, or near, its elastic limit.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert F. Freund
- 👤 William C. M. Kelly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1018; A61M25/10184; A61M25/10187; A61M25/104; G; G01; G01D; G01D9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for applying pressure to the inside of a vessel during selected intervals to enlarge the lumen of the vessel which comprises: a fluid inflatable means positionable inside the vessel; means connected in fluid communication with said inflatable means for introducing fluid to said inflatable means to apply pressure against the vessel; a transducer operatively connected with said inflatable means for generating a signal indicative of the fluid pressure in said inflatable means; and automatic means for determining a time interval between incremental inflations of said inflatable means; a monitor connected with said transducer and with said time interval determining means and having a screen means for displaying said transducer pressure signal and as a function of said interval signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for applying pressure to the inside of a vessel during selected intervals to enlarge the lumen of the vessel which comprises: a fluid inflatable means positionable inside the vessel; means connected in fluid communication with said inflatable means for introducing fluid to said inflatable means to apply pressure against the vessel; a transducer operatively connected with said inflatable means for generating a signal indicative of the fluid pressure in said inflatable means; and automatic means for determining a time interval between incremental inflations of said inflatable means; a monitor connected with said transducer and with said time interval determining means and having a screen means for displaying said transducer pressure signal and as a function of said interval signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said inflatable means is a balloon catheter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said means for introducing fluid to said inflatable means is a syringe which comprises: a fluid chamber in fluid communication with said balloon catheter; and a plunger threadably advanceable into said chamber to introduce fluid into said balloon catheter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said transducer is mounted on said syringe in fluid contact with fluid in said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said monitor comprises means for directly comparing said transducer pressure signal with said interval signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 5 further comprising a recorder electrically connected with said monitor to chronicle variations of said transducer pressure signal during selected time intervals.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for dilating a body vessel which comprises: an inflatable balloon positionable inside the vessel; means in fluid communication with said balloon for incrementally inflating said balloon with a fluid; automatic means for establishing a time interval between incremental inflations; means mounted on said inflation means for sensing changes in fluid pressure in said balloon during said time interval between incremental inflations; and means operatively connected with said sensing means for indicating when changes in fluid pressure fall below a selected level during said interval.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for dilating a body vessel which comprises: an inflatable balloon positionable inside the vessel; means in fluid communication with said balloon for incrementally inflating said balloon with a fluid; automatic means for establishing a time interval between incremental inflations; means mounted on said inflation means for sensing changes in fluid pressure in said balloon during said time interval between incremental inflations; and means operatively connected with said sensing means for indicating when changes in fluid pressure fall below a selected level during said interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said balloon is mounted on a balloon catheter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said inflating means is a syringe which comprises: a fluid chamber in fluid communication with said balloon catheter; and a plunger advanceable into said chamber to introduce fluid into said balloon catheter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said sensing means is a transducer for generating an electrical signal which is indicative of fluid pressure in said balloon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 10 further comprising a clock for generating an interval signal, said clock being operatively connected with said indicating means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said indicating means is a monitor connected with said transducer and with said clock and having a screen for displaying said transducer pressure signal and said interval signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein said monitor comprises means for directly comparing said transducer pressure signal with said interval signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13 further comprising a recorder electrically connected with said monitor to chronicle variations of said transducer pressure signal during selected time intervals.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for using a balloon catheter system to clear obstructive tissue from the lumen of a body vessel which automatically records, processes and displays data comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the expandable balloon of the balloon catheter in the lumen across the obstruction; (b) incrementally increasing the fluid pressure in the system by mechanical means to inflate the balloon and establish a new base pressure after each incremental increase in pressure; (c) establishing an interval signal which begins when each new base pressure is attained; (d) measuring fluid pressure changes from the base pressure during the interval; and (e) deflating the balloon when changes from the base pressure do not exceed a prescribed level during the interval.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for using a balloon catheter system to clear obstructive tissue from the lumen of a body vessel which automatically records, processes and displays data comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the expandable balloon of the balloon catheter in the lumen across the obstruction; (b) incrementally increasing the fluid pressure in the system by mechanical means to inflate the balloon and establish a new base pressure after each incremental increase in pressure; (c) establishing an interval signal which begins when each new base pressure is attained; (d) measuring fluid pressure changes from the base pressure during the interval; and (e) deflating the balloon when changes from the base pressure do not exceed a prescribed level during the interval.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for using a balloon catheter system to enlarge the lumen of a body vessel which atomically records, processes, and displays data comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the expandable balloon of the balloon catheter in the lumen; (b) incrementally increasing the fluid pressure in the system by mechanical means to inflate the balloon and establish a new base pressure after each incremental increase in pressure; (c) establishing an interval signal which begins when each new base pressure is attained; (d) measuring fluid pressure changes from the base pressure during the interval; and (e) deflating the balloon when changes from the base pressure do not exceed a prescribed level during the interval.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for using a balloon catheter system to enlarge the lumen of a body vessel which atomically records, processes, and displays data comprising the steps of: (a) positioning the expandable balloon of the balloon catheter in the lumen; (b) incrementally increasing the fluid pressure in the system by mechanical means to inflate the balloon and establish a new base pressure after each incremental increase in pressure; (c) establishing an interval signal which begins when each new base pressure is attained; (d) measuring fluid pressure changes from the base pressure during the interval; and (e) deflating the balloon when changes from the base pressure do not exceed a prescribed level during the interval.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-27 | 1995-07-29 | 1996-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-27 | 1999-07-29 | 2000-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-27 | 2003-07-29 | 2004-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |