US6234996B1 — Integrated inflation/deflation device and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 202 words

A syringe assembly for use with a low volume surgical balloon attached at a distal portion of an elongated tube, the tube having a proximal portion, a sealed distal end and an inflation lumen extending therebetween for communicating fluid to the balloon, the assembly comprising: a low volume syringe with an elongated, hollow body having proximal and distal ends, a connector on the distal end, a port formed through the body between the proximal and distal ends, and a plunger longitudinally slidable within the body and a gear rack extending proximally from a plunger proximal end; a large volume syringe having a relatively large fluid capacity and comprising an elongated, hollow body having proximal and distal ends, a plunger longitudinally slidable within the body and having a shaft with a piston disposed on a large shaft distal end and a handle disposed on a large shaft proximal end, and the large syringe body distal end has an opening in communication with a channel leading to the low volume syringe port; and a housing adapted to substantially enclose both the low volume syringe and the large syringe, the housing including a knob having at least one protrusion adapted to engage said gear rack.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 202 words

A syringe assembly for use with a low volume surgical balloon attached at a distal portion of an elongated tube, the tube having a proximal portion, a sealed distal end and an inflation lumen extending therebetween for communicating fluid to the balloon, the assembly comprising: a low volume syringe with an elongated, hollow body having proximal and distal ends, a connector on the distal end, a port formed through the body between the proximal and distal ends, and a plunger longitudinally slidable within the body and a gear rack extending proximally from a plunger proximal end; a large volume syringe having a relatively large fluid capacity and comprising an elongated, hollow body having proximal and distal ends, a plunger longitudinally slidable within the body and having a shaft with a piston disposed on a large shaft distal end and a handle disposed on a large shaft proximal end, and the large syringe body distal end has an opening in communication with a channel leading to the low volume syringe port; and a housing adapted to substantially enclose both the low volume syringe and the large syringe, the housing including a knob having at least one protrusion adapted to engage said gear rack.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 36 words

The syringe assembly of claim 1 , further including at least one sealing member within the low volume syringe barrel, and the sealing member is adapted to create a fluid seal about the low volume plunger.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 39 words

The syringe assembly of claim 2 , wherein one of the sealing members is positioned within the low volume syringe barrel on a proximal side of the port and another is positioned on a distal side of the port.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

The syringe assembly of claim 2 , wherein the at least one sealing member comprises an elastic O-ring.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 22 words

The syringe assembly of claim 1 , further including a detent mechanism for releasably securing the knob in at least one position.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 31 words

The syringe assembly of claim 1 , further including indicia disposed about the knob to indicate the volume of fluid communicated to the balloon corresponding to a position of the knob.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 32 words

The syringe assembly of claim 6 , wherein rotation of the knob from a first position to an indicated balloon volume position delivers a precise, accurate volume of fluid to the balloon.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 32 words

The syringe assembly of claim 7 , wherein rotation of the knob from the balloon volume position back to the first position evacuates the fluid from the balloon into the syringe assembly.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 19 words

The syringe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises a gear adapted to engage the gear rack.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 26 words

The syringe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the low volume syringe and the large syringe are disposed in the housing in a substantially parallel relation.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 132 words

A method of using the syringe assembly of claim 1 , comprising the steps of: positioning the knob at a deflation position at which the low volume syringe piston is disposed adjacent a proximal edge of the port; providing a source of inflation fluid for the balloon; attaching the distal connector to the source of inflation fluid; pulling on a proximal end of the large volume syringe handle to fill the syringe with a predetermined volume of inflation fluid; detaching the distal connector from the source of inflation fluid; attaching the distal connector to the elongated tube so that the syringe is in communication with the tube lumen; and rotating the knob to a predetermined position; whereby the syringe assembly delivers a predetermined amount of fluid as defined by the predetermined position.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 50 words

The method of claim 11 , further including the step of pulling on the large volume syringe plunger after the distal connector is attached to the elongated tube to effect evacuation of air or fluid within the tube lumen, the balloon and the low volume syringe into the large syringe.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 109 words

A syringe assembly adapted for use in medical procedures requiring relatively accurate volumetric delivery of fluids, comprising: an inflation syringe with an inflation lumen having proximal and distal ends, a connector at the distal end, and a port formed through a side of the inflation lumen between the proximal and distal ends; a first plunger having proximal and distal ends and longitudinally slidable within the inflation lumen to effect fluid intake and outflow; a reservoir syringe having a reservoir lumen with proximal and distal ends, the distal end in communication with said port; and a second plunger having proximal and distal ends and longitudinally slidable within the reservoir lumen.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 109 words

A syringe assembly adapted for use in medical procedures requiring relatively accurate volumetric delivery of fluids, comprising: an inflation syringe with an inflation lumen having proximal and distal ends, a connector at the distal end, and a port formed through a side of the inflation lumen between the proximal and distal ends; a first plunger having proximal and distal ends and longitudinally slidable within the inflation lumen to effect fluid intake and outflow; a reservoir syringe having a reservoir lumen with proximal and distal ends, the distal end in communication with said port; and a second plunger having proximal and distal ends and longitudinally slidable within the reservoir lumen.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 24 words

The syringe assembly of claim 13 , wherein the inflation lumen and reservoir lumen are oriented side-by-side and are enclosed within a single housing.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 42 words

The syringe assembly of claim 14 , including a knob connected to a spur gear and a gear rack in communication with the first plunger, and the knob is positioned on the housing such that the spur gear engages the gear rack.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 70 words

The syringe assembly of claim 14 , including a knob in communication with at least one protrusion and a gear rack in communication with the first plunger, the knob positioned on the housing such that the at least one protrusion engages the gear rack, and the knob, protrusion, and gear rack adapted so that rotation of the knob moves the protrusion, and the moving protrusion linearly moves the gear rack.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 14 words

The syringe assembly of claim 16 , wherein the knob includes a detent mechanism.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 23 words

The syringe assembly of claim 17 , wherein the detent mechanism comprises a spring and ball disposed at least partially within a cavity.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 32 words

The syringe assembly of claim 13 , including a sealing member within said inflation lumen and proximal said port, the sealing member adapted to effect a fluid seal about the first plunger.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 20 words

The syringe assembly of claim 19 , including a second sealing member within said inflation lumen and distal said port.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 17 words

The syringe assembly of claim 20 , wherein the first and second sealing members comprise resilient O-rings.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 13 words

The syringe assembly of claim 21 , wherein said plunger is substantially cylindrical.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 225 words

A method of easily and precisely inflating a balloon catheter comprising an elongated tube having a proximal portion and a sealed distal end with a surgical balloon attached thereto, the tube having a longitudinally extending lumen communicating with the balloon for inflation thereof, the method comprising: inserting and positioning the tube and balloon at a desired position within a blood vessel of a patient; providing a syringe assembly comprising an inflation syringe having an inflation lumen and a reservoir syringe having a reservoir lumen; providing a port through a side of the inflation lumen; providing a channel connecting a distal end of the reservoir lumen to the inflation lumen port; providing an inflation plunger within the inflation lumen and a reservoir plunger within the reservoir lumen; positioning the inflation plunger so that a distal end of the inflation plunger is adjacent a proximal side of the port; connecting the proximal portion of the tube to a distal end of the inflation lumen; pulling on the reservoir plunger to effect evacuation of air or fluid within the tube and the balloon into the reservoir lumen; and pushing the inflation plunger to deliver the predetermined amount of fluid to the tube and balloon; whereby the fluid inflates the balloon to an appropriate size without rupture of the balloon or damage to the blood vessel of the patient.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 225 words

A method of easily and precisely inflating a balloon catheter comprising an elongated tube having a proximal portion and a sealed distal end with a surgical balloon attached thereto, the tube having a longitudinally extending lumen communicating with the balloon for inflation thereof, the method comprising: inserting and positioning the tube and balloon at a desired position within a blood vessel of a patient; providing a syringe assembly comprising an inflation syringe having an inflation lumen and a reservoir syringe having a reservoir lumen; providing a port through a side of the inflation lumen; providing a channel connecting a distal end of the reservoir lumen to the inflation lumen port; providing an inflation plunger within the inflation lumen and a reservoir plunger within the reservoir lumen; positioning the inflation plunger so that a distal end of the inflation plunger is adjacent a proximal side of the port; connecting the proximal portion of the tube to a distal end of the inflation lumen; pulling on the reservoir plunger to effect evacuation of air or fluid within the tube and the balloon into the reservoir lumen; and pushing the inflation plunger to deliver the predetermined amount of fluid to the tube and balloon; whereby the fluid inflates the balloon to an appropriate size without rupture of the balloon or damage to the blood vessel of the patient.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 82 words

The method of claim 23 , further comprising the steps of: providing a housing enclosing the inflation syringe; providing a knob extending through the housing and in communication with a protrusion inside the housing; providing a gear rack attached to the inflation plunger and adapted to engage the protrusion; and rotating the knob to a predetermined point; whereby rotation of the knob moves the protrusion, thus advancing the gear rack and pushing the inflation plunger to deliver a precise volume of fluid.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 23 , further comprising the step of providing inflation fluid to the inflation lumen.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-05-21	2004-11-20	2005-05-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-05-21	2008-11-20	2009-05-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-05-21	2012-11-20	2013-05-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Integrated inflation/deflation device and method

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