Balloon catheter with adjustable shaft
US5968012A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 22, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/1068
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a balloon catheter with a length compensator, which can be an accordion section or a slipping sleeve section. In the accordion section embodiment of the invention, the outer shaft of the catheter includes an accordion section positioned proximally of the balloon. In this embodiment the length compensator is comprised of the accordion section and the outer shaft between the accordion section and the point where the proximal end of the balloon is attached to the outer shaft. The distal end of the balloon is attached to an inner shaft. As the balloon is inflated the accordion section expands to adjust the axial length of the length compensator to compensate for the movement of the two ends of the balloon towards each other. In the slipping sleeve embodiment of the invention, the inner shaft of the catheter includes a slipping sleeve section positioned proximally of the point where the distal end of the balloon is connected to the inner shaft. As the balloon is expanded, the slipping sleeve section contracts, adjusting the axial length of the length compensator to compensate for the shrinkage of the balloon as it expands into contact with the vasculature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.