Method of operating an integrated balloon catheter inflation system
AssigneeEdwards Lifesciences Corporation
InventorsHarvey H. Chen, Andrew Phung, Thomas H. Chien, Da-Yu Chang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inflation system having two pressure vessels integrated into a balloon catheter. A pressurized chamber and a vacuum chamber are integrally attached to proximal end of the balloon catheter and activated by a common valve or switch. Pressure or vacuum is selectively transmitted to the balloon depending on the valve/switch position. The working fluid may be air, or a combination of air and saline with an intermediate piston/cylinder assembly. The balloon catheter may be a part of a heart valve delivery system with a balloon-expandable heart valve crimped onto the balloon.
Claims20
A method of storing and actuating a balloon catheter system, comprising:
- providing an integrated pre-assembled system packaged and sold as a single, unitary system in a unique sterile enclosure, the system including:
- a manifold having internal passages;
- a sealed pressurized vessel permanently attached to an inflation port in the manifold;
- a balloon catheter having a balloon on a distal end in fluid communication with an inflation lumen extending through the catheter;
- a balloon port in the manifold in fluid communication with the balloon catheter inflation lumen;
- and
- a control valve on the manifold configured to selectively open and close fluid communication between the balloon port and the inflation port so that a positive pressure differential from the pressurized vessel inflates the balloon;
- the method including:
- opening the unique sterile enclosure and removing the system;
- advancing the balloon catheter so that the balloon thereon is positioned at a procedure site within the body;
- and
- operating the control valve on the manifold to open fluid communication between the balloon port and the inflation port and inflate the balloon.
A method of storing and actuating a balloon catheter system, comprising:
- providing an integrated pre-assembled system packaged and sold as a single, unitary system in a unique sterile enclosure, the system including:
- a balloon catheter having a balloon on a distal end in fluid communication with an inflation lumen extending through the catheter;
- an integrated inflation system having:
- a manifold having internal passages;
- a sealed pressurized vessel permanently attached to an inflation port in the manifold;
- a sealed vacuum vessel permanently attached to a vacuum port in the manifold;
- a balloon port in the manifold in fluid communication with the balloon catheter inflation lumen;
- and
- a control valve on the manifold configured to selectively open and close fluid communication between the manifold internal passages and one or the other of the pressurized vessel and vacuum vessel;
- the method including:
- opening the unique sterile enclosure and removing the system;
- advancing the balloon catheter so that the balloon thereon is positioned at a procedure site within the body;
- operating the control valve on the manifold to open fluid communication between the balloon port and the inflation port and inflate the balloon;
- operating the control valve on the manifold to close fluid communication between the balloon port and the inflation port and inflate the balloon;
- operating the control valve on the manifold to open fluid communication between the balloon port and the vacuum port and deflate the balloon after inflating the balloon;
- and
- withdrawing the balloon catheter from within the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.