Patent · US Expired

Balloon catheter and locking guidewire system

US5045061A · kind A · utility

115Cited by
15References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 2, 1990
Grant dateSep 3, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 2, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M2210/125
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A low profile, steerable balloon dilatation catheter for dilating obstructions in blood vessels is provided which also enables catheter exchanges to be performed without losing guidewire position. The system includes a guidewire and catheter that can be locked together to be operated in a manner as that of an integral wire catheter, or alternatively, they can be unlocked to allow the guidewire to be operated independently in a manner similar to that of an over-the wire catheter system. In the latter mode of operation, the length of the guidewire, at its proximal end, can be extended and the catheter can be withdrawn from the patient without causing a loss of guidewire position. With the guidewire position so maintained, a succeeding catheter can be advanced over the guidewire to the vascular location being treated.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.