US6355014B1 — Low profile catheter valve

Claim 1

Independent Claim 205 words

A valve, comprising: a flexible elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lumen having a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal end, the lumen having an opening at the proximal end; an expandable member on the distal end of the tubular body, the expandable member being in fluid communication with the lumen; an access opening on the tubular body, the access opening being in fluid communication with the lumen to permit the expandable member to be actuated by pressurizing the access opening; a sealing member having a sealer portion which seals against a surface of the tubular body, said portion of the sealing member being movable along the longitudinal axis relative to said surface of the tubular body between two positions, one of the positions positioning the sealer portion in contact with said surface at a location which blocks the flow of fluid to and from the expandable member through the access opening to maintain actuation of the expandable member, the other of the positions positioning the sealer portion at a location which permits the flow of fluid to and from the expandable member through the access opening to permit actuation or deactuation of the expandable member.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 205 words

A valve, comprising: a flexible elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lumen having a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal end, the lumen having an opening at the proximal end; an expandable member on the distal end of the tubular body, the expandable member being in fluid communication with the lumen; an access opening on the tubular body, the access opening being in fluid communication with the lumen to permit the expandable member to be actuated by pressurizing the access opening; a sealing member having a sealer portion which seals against a surface of the tubular body, said portion of the sealing member being movable along the longitudinal axis relative to said surface of the tubular body between two positions, one of the positions positioning the sealer portion in contact with said surface at a location which blocks the flow of fluid to and from the expandable member through the access opening to maintain actuation of the expandable member, the other of the positions positioning the sealer portion at a location which permits the flow of fluid to and from the expandable member through the access opening to permit actuation or deactuation of the expandable member.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 71 words

The valve of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member has a portion which extends from the proximal end of the tubular body, and wherein the application of a proximal longitudinal force on the extending portion results in proximal movement of the sealer portion within the lumen, and the application of a distal longitudinal force of the extending portion results in a distal movement of the sealer portion within the lumen.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 28 words

The valve of claim 2 , further comprising force-increasing structure which increases the longitudinal force which must be applied to the extending portion to move the sealer portion.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

The valve of claim 1 , wherein the sealer portion is formed from a polymeric material.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 46 words

The valve of claim 1 , wherein the sealer portion is capable of withstanding pressures up to 10 atmospheres while preventing substantially all fluid from passing to and from the balloon through the access opening when the sealer portion is positioned distal to the access opening.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 53 words

The valve of claim 5 , wherein the sealer portion is capable of undergoing 10 valve-opening and closing cycles and, at a pressure of ten atmospheres, still prevents substantially all fluid from passing to and from the balloon through the access opening when the sealer portion is positioned distal to the access opening.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 32 words

The valve of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the sealing member is formed of a metal selected from the group consisting of nitinol, stainless steel and combinations thereof.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 30 words

The valve of claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter of the tubular body is larger than the outer diameter of any portion of the sealing member or sealer portion.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 20 words

The valve of claim 8 , wherein the outer diameter of the tubular body is no greater than 0.038 inches.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

The valve of claim 9 , wherein the outer diameter of the tubular body is no greater than 0.020 inches.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

The valve of claim 10 , wherein the outer diameter of the tubular body is no greater than 0.014 inches.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 20 words

The valve of claim 1 , further comprising positive stops to prevent withdrawal of the sealing member from the opening.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 35 words

The valve of claim 1 , further comprising an inflation adaptor capable of receiving the valve, the inflation adaptor providing a fluid tight chamber for introduction of a pressurized fluid to expand the expandable member.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 14 words

The valve of claim 1 , wherein the access opening is the lumen opening.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

The valve of claim 1 , wherein the lumen has a cross section which is substantially constant from the proximal end to the distal end.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 63 words

The valve of claim 1 , wherein said one of the positions positioning the sealer portion in contact with said surface at a location which blocks the flow of fluid to and from the expandable member is distal to said other of the positions positioning the scaler portion at a location which permits the flow of fluid to and from the expandable member.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 221 words

A valve, comprising: a flexible elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal end, the lumen having an opening at the proximal end; an expandable member on the distal end of the tubular body, the expandable member being in fluid communication with the lumen; an access opening on the tubular body, the access opening being in fluid communication with the lumen to permit the expandable member to be actuated by pressurizing the access opening, wherein the access opening comprises a side-access port positioned on the tubular body at a point proximal to the tubular body distal end; and a sealing member having a sealer portion which seals against a surface of the tubular body, said portion of the sealing member being movable relative to said surface of the tubular body between two positions, one of the positions positioning the sealer portion in contact with said surface at a location which blocks the flow of fluid to or from the expandable member through the access opening to maintain actuation of the expandable member, the other of the positions positioning the sealer portion at a location which permits the flow of fluid to or from the expandable member through the access opening to permit actuation or deactuation of the expandable member.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 221 words

A valve, comprising: a flexible elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal end, the lumen having an opening at the proximal end; an expandable member on the distal end of the tubular body, the expandable member being in fluid communication with the lumen; an access opening on the tubular body, the access opening being in fluid communication with the lumen to permit the expandable member to be actuated by pressurizing the access opening, wherein the access opening comprises a side-access port positioned on the tubular body at a point proximal to the tubular body distal end; and a sealing member having a sealer portion which seals against a surface of the tubular body, said portion of the sealing member being movable relative to said surface of the tubular body between two positions, one of the positions positioning the sealer portion in contact with said surface at a location which blocks the flow of fluid to or from the expandable member through the access opening to maintain actuation of the expandable member, the other of the positions positioning the sealer portion at a location which permits the flow of fluid to or from the expandable member through the access opening to permit actuation or deactuation of the expandable member.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 100 words

An apparatus, comprising: a hollow metallic guidewire having a central lumen and a side-access port in fluid communication with the lumen; an inflatable balloon mounted on the guidewire, the inflatable balloon being in fluid communication with the central lumen, such that fluid introduced through the side-access port can be used to inflate the balloon; a valve mounted to slide along a surface of the guidewire, said valve movable between first and second positions, one of said positions sealing the central lumen such that substantially no fluid may pass to or from the inflatable balloon by way of the side-access port.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 100 words

An apparatus, comprising: a hollow metallic guidewire having a central lumen and a side-access port in fluid communication with the lumen; an inflatable balloon mounted on the guidewire, the inflatable balloon being in fluid communication with the central lumen, such that fluid introduced through the side-access port can be used to inflate the balloon; a valve mounted to slide along a surface of the guidewire, said valve movable between first and second positions, one of said positions sealing the central lumen such that substantially no fluid may pass to or from the inflatable balloon by way of the side-access port.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 33 words

The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the hollow guidewire has an outer circumference defining a first value, and wherein the movable valve has a circumference which is less than the first value.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the hollow guidewire has an outer circumference of 0.044 inches or less.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the movable valve has a diameter not substantially larger than that of the hollow guidewire, and wherein said valve seals against an interior surface of said hollow guidewire.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 148 words

A low profile catheter valve, comprising: a sealing member capable of being movably inserted through a proximal opening on a catheter into an inflation lumen of the catheter, the catheter having a side-access inflation port and an inflatable balloon in fluid communication with the side-access inflation port; a sealer portion on the sealing member, the sealer portion being capable of forming a fluid tight seal with the entire circumference of a section of the lumen, such that substantially all fluid may not pass the sealer portion; wherein when the sealer portion is positioned within the lumen proximally of the side-access inflation port, an unrestricted fluid pathway is established between the side-access inflation port and the balloon, and when the sealer portion is positioned within the lumen distally of the side-access inflation port, substantially all fluid may not pass to or from the balloon through the side-access inflation port.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 148 words

A low profile catheter valve, comprising: a sealing member capable of being movably inserted through a proximal opening on a catheter into an inflation lumen of the catheter, the catheter having a side-access inflation port and an inflatable balloon in fluid communication with the side-access inflation port; a sealer portion on the sealing member, the sealer portion being capable of forming a fluid tight seal with the entire circumference of a section of the lumen, such that substantially all fluid may not pass the sealer portion; wherein when the sealer portion is positioned within the lumen proximally of the side-access inflation port, an unrestricted fluid pathway is established between the side-access inflation port and the balloon, and when the sealer portion is positioned within the lumen distally of the side-access inflation port, substantially all fluid may not pass to or from the balloon through the side-access inflation port.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 25 words

The valve of claim 22 , wherein the lumen has a cross section which is substantially constant from the proximal end to the distal end.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 110 words

A method of inflating a catheter balloon, comprising the steps of: providing a tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having an inflation opening in fluid communication with an inflation lumen and the distal end having an inflatable balloon in fluid communication with the inflation lumen; introducing a pressurized inflation fluid through the inflation opening to inflate the balloon; sealing the inflation opening by moving a sealing member within the inflation lumen without reducing the pressure of the pressurized fluid, wherein the step of sealing is performed without deflating the inflated balloon; and reducing the pressure of the pressurized fluid after completing the sealing step.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 110 words

A method of inflating a catheter balloon, comprising the steps of: providing a tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having an inflation opening in fluid communication with an inflation lumen and the distal end having an inflatable balloon in fluid communication with the inflation lumen; introducing a pressurized inflation fluid through the inflation opening to inflate the balloon; sealing the inflation opening by moving a sealing member within the inflation lumen without reducing the pressure of the pressurized fluid, wherein the step of sealing is performed without deflating the inflated balloon; and reducing the pressure of the pressurized fluid after completing the sealing step.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 24 , wherein the lumen has a cross section which is substantially constant from the proximal end to the distal end.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 24 , wherein the inflation opening comprises a side-access port.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 107 words

A low profile catheter valve for use with an inflation adaptor, comprising: a catheter having an inflatable member and an inflation opening for inflating the inflatable member, the inflatable member being in fluid communication with the inflation opening; a sealing member movably mounted in the catheter for selectively blocking fluid flow between the inflation opening and the inflatable member; indicia on at least one of said catheter and said sealing member, the position of the indicia being such that alignment of said indicia with corresponding indicia on the inflation adaptor causes the inflation opening to be disposed within a fluid tight inflation chamber of the inflation adaptor.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 107 words

A low profile catheter valve for use with an inflation adaptor, comprising: a catheter having an inflatable member and an inflation opening for inflating the inflatable member, the inflatable member being in fluid communication with the inflation opening; a sealing member movably mounted in the catheter for selectively blocking fluid flow between the inflation opening and the inflatable member; indicia on at least one of said catheter and said sealing member, the position of the indicia being such that alignment of said indicia with corresponding indicia on the inflation adaptor causes the inflation opening to be disposed within a fluid tight inflation chamber of the inflation adaptor.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 28 words

The low profile catheter valve of claim 27 , wherein the lumen has a cross section which is substantially constant from the proximal end to the distal end.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 17 words

The low profile catheter valve of claim 27 , wherein the inflation opening comprises a side-access port.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 116 words

A medical device apparatus, comprising: a flexible elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lumen having a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the lumen having an opening at the proximal end; an expandable member on the distal end of the tubular body; an elongate member having a portion which engages a surface of the tubular body within the lumen of the tubular body, said portion being movable along the longitudinal axis relative to said surface of the tubular body between two positions, one of the positions positioning the portion in contact with said surface at a location for maintaining actuation of the expandable member.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 116 words

A medical device apparatus, comprising: a flexible elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lumen having a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the lumen having an opening at the proximal end; an expandable member on the distal end of the tubular body; an elongate member having a portion which engages a surface of the tubular body within the lumen of the tubular body, said portion being movable along the longitudinal axis relative to said surface of the tubular body between two positions, one of the positions positioning the portion in contact with said surface at a location for maintaining actuation of the expandable member.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the expandable member is an inflatable balloon.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the elongate member includes a sealer portion that seals against a surface of the tubular body.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the outer diameter of the tubular body is larger than the outer diameter of any portion of the elongate member.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the elongate member includes waves that frictionally engage a surface of the tubular body within the lumen.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the lumen has a substantially constant cross-section from the proximal end to the distal end.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the elongate member extends proximal to the tubular body.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-03-11	2005-09-10	2006-03-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-03-11	2009-09-10	2010-03-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-03-11	2013-09-10	2014-03-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Low profile catheter valve

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