Balloon inflation device

Claim 1

A device for the controlled opening of partially or wholly intraluminally blocked biologic passageways, said device comprising: balloon means for dilating blockage of vasculature and other biologic passageways, said balloon attached to a generally distal end of a catheter; said device increasing and decreasing the radial size of the balloon according to a predetermined pattern which prevents prolonged cessation of blood flow to distal sites of the biologic passageway; pump means for dispensing to and withdrawing fluid from said balloon through said catheter; a drive mechanism for causing said pump means to dispense and withdraw fluid from said balloon for increasing and decreasing, respectively, the radial size of said balloon; monitoring means for identifying actual pressure conditions developed within said balloon positioned in general alignment with the blockage, said monitoring means including a pressure monitor having a pressure feedback transducer interposed between said drive mechanism and said pump means; microprocessor means; interconnection means for transmitting orders from said microprocessor and transmitting information from said monitoring means; and said microprocessor including means for controlling the drive mechanism according to said predetermined pattern, said controlling logic means including additional logic means for evaluating information transmitted from said monitoring means through said interconnection means as to the actual pressure conditions developed within the balloon, said controlling logic means further containing corrective logic means for comparing the actual pressure conditions with the predetermined pattern and generating appropriate corrective orders for actuating said drive mechanism when differences between the expected pressure conditions and the actual pressure conditions are identified, whereby said controlling logic means automatically assures that said predetermined pattern is adhered to.

Claim 2

A device for the controlled opening of partially or wholly intraluminally blocked biologic passageways, said device comprising: balloon means for dilating blockage of vasculature and other biologic passageways, said balloon attached to a generally distal end of a catheter; said device increasing and decreasing the radial size of the balloon according to a predetermined pattern which prevents prolonged cessation of blood flow to distal sites of the biologic passageway; pump means for dispensing to and withdrawing fluid from said balloon through said catheter; a drive mechanism for causing said pump means to dispense and withdraw fluid from said balloon for increasing and decreasing, respectively, the radial size of said balloon; monitoring means for identifying actual pressure conditions developed within said balloon positioned in general alignment with the blockage, said monitoring means including a pressure monitor having a pressure feedback transducer interposed between said drive mechanism and said pump means; microprocessor means; interconnection means for transmitting orders from said microprocessor and transmitting information from said monitoring means; and said microprocessor including means for controlling the drive mechanism according to said predetermined pattern, said controlling logic means including additional logic means for evaluating information transmitted from said monitoring means through said interconnection means as to the actual pressure conditions developed within the balloon, said controlling logic means further containing corrective logic means for comparing the actual pressure conditions with the predetermined pattern and generating appropriate corrective orders for actuating said drive mechanism when differences between the expected pressure conditions and the actual pressure conditions are identified, whereby said controlling logic means automatically assures that said predetermined pattern is adhered to.