Intravascular device for venting an inflatable chamber

An intravascular device, comprising:

• an inflatable member having an interior and an exterior;
• a first lumen connecting the interior of said inflatable member and the exterior of said inflatable member, said first lumen capable of allowing the infusion of liquid from the exterior of said inflatable member into the interior of said inflatable member;
• a second lumen connecting the interior of said inflatable member and the exterior of said inflatable member, said second lumen capable of allowing the expulsion of gas from the interior of said inflatable member to the exterior of said inflatable member;
• a selective degassing element, said element positioned across said second lumen and capable of allowing the expulsion of gas from the interior of said inflatable member to the exterior of said inflatable member through said second lumen and capable of preventing the expulsion of liquid from the interior of said inflatable member to the exterior of said inflatable member through said second lumen.

An intravascular device, comprising:

• a catheter or cannulae;
• a balloon attached to said catheter or cannulae, said balloon having an interior and an exterior;
• a first lumen within said catheter or cannulae, said first lumen connecting the interior of said balloon and an inflation port and capable of allowing the infusion of liquid through said inflation port into the interior of said balloon;
• a second lumen within said catheter or cannulae, said second lumen connecting the interior of said balloon and an exhaust port and capable of allowing the expulsion of gas from the interior of said balloon through said exhaust port;
• a selective degassing element, said element positioned across said second lumen and capable of allowing the expulsion of gas from the interior of said balloon through said exhaust port and capable of preventing the expulsion of liquid from the interior of said balloon through said exhaust port.

A method for degassing an intravascular device, comprising the steps of:

• providing an elongate member having a proximal region and a distal region, a balloon mounted on the distal region, an inflation tube communicating with the interior of said balloon and an inflation port, a venting tube communicating with the interior of said balloon and an exhaust port, and a selective degassing element, said element positioned within said venting lumen for expulsion of gas from said balloon through said exhaust port and for preventing the expulsion of liquid from said balloon through said exhaust port;
• opening said degassing element;
• and
• injecting liquid into said balloon, wherein gas is purged from the balloon through said venting lumen, through said degassing element, and through said exhaust port.