Catheter purge apparatus and method of use

A method for removing air from a balloon catheter having a first tubular member having a lumen therein and distal and proximal portions;

• a second thin-filmed tubular member having a lumen therein and distal and proximal portions, wherein said second thin-filmed tubular member is coaxially disposed about said first tubular member;
• a balloon disposed at said distal end of said second thin-filmed tubular member and in fluid communication therewith;
• and a fitting having a high pressure seal, a low pressure seal and a port in fluid communication with said lumen of said second member, whereby said fitting is sealingly connected to said proximal portion of said second thin-filmed tubular member, and slidably mounted on said first tubular member;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• loosening said high-pressure seal;
• sliding said fitting axially from said proximal portion of said first tubular member towards said distal portion of said first tubular member, thereby collapsing and contracting said second thin-filmed tubular member;
• coupling a syringe having a plunger and containing fluid to said port;
• and retracting said syringe plunger to draw air from said balloon and from said lumen of said second thin-filmed tubular member.

A balloon catheter comprising:

• an elongate tubular member having a distal portion and a proximal portion and having a lumen extending longitudinally therein;
• a balloon;
• a flexible tubular member having a distal portion and a proximal portion, and having an inflation lumen extending longitudinally therein, said flexible tubular member disposed coaxially about said elongate tubular member, connected to and in fluid communication with said balloon, said distal portion of said flexible tubular member being attached to said distal portion of said elongate tubular member so that said lumen of said flexible tubular member is fluid-tight;
• and
• a fitting connected to said proximal portion of said flexible tubular member and slidably mounted on said elongate tubular member, said flexible tubular member being adjustable in length along its longitudinal axis to allow said fitting to be positioned along said proximal portion and said distal portion of said elongate tubular member, said fitting having a port in fluid communication with said inflation lumen and said balloon to allow the passage of fluid therethrough.

A catheter comprising:

• a first elongate member having a distal portion and a proximal portion with a first fitting;
• a second tubular member having a distal portion and a proximal portion, and having a lumen therein, said second tubular member disposed coaxially about said first elongate member, said distal portion of said second tubular member being attached to said distal portion of said first elongate member so that said lumen is fluid-tight;
• a second fitting connected to said proximal portion of said second tubular member and in fluid communication therewith, said second fitting slidably mounted on said first elongate member;
• and
• said second tubular member being flexible such that said second tubular member is extendable along its longitudinal axis to allow said second fitting to be positioned along said proximal portion and said distal portion of said first elongate member.

A method for purging air from a dilatation catheter having an elongate tube defining an inflation lumen, comprising:

• a) collapsing said elongate tube along its longitudinal axis to reduce the volume that would be occupied by air;
• b) providing a port in communication with said inflation lumen to allow air to escape;
• c) coupling a syringe having a plunger to said port;
• and
• d) retracting said plunger to withdraw any remaining air from said inflation lumen.