Highly steerable dilatation balloon catheter system
US5246420A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 1991 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/1093
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A dilatation balloon catheter with a non-removable guidewire is disclosed in which the guidewire is joined to the catheter tube through a distortable element, preferably a twistable tube. The element provides a strong fluid-tight connection between the guidewire and catheter tube and yet permits the guidewire to be rotated relative to the catheter tube over a wide range of rotation, with little torsional stress on either the catheter tube, the balloon or any other element of the catheter construction. In preferred embodiments, the catheter construction further includes a column support tube inside the balloon, surrounding a segment of the guidewire toward its distal end, to prevent collapse of the balloon along its longitudinal axis as the balloon is advanced into a stenosis. In these embodiments, the distortable element is joined to the catheter tube through the column support tube which thus serves as an intermediate linkage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.