Balloon catheter with improved pressure source

A balloon catheter insertable into a living body, comprising:

• (a) a proximal shaft section having a proximal end and a distal end;
• (b) a distal shaft section having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inflation lumen, the proximal end of the distal shaft section connected to the distal end of the proximal shaft, the inflation lumen having a proximal end terminating adjacent the proximal end of the distal shaft section;
• and
• (c) a balloon connected to the distal end of the distal shaft section such that the balloon is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen.

A balloon catheter insertable into a living body, comprising:

• (a) an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therethrough;
• (b) an inflatable balloon connected to the distal end of the shaft;
• (c) a plunger disposed in the lumen of the elongate shaft;
• and
• (d) an actuation member having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the actuation member connected to the plunger.

A method of using a balloon catheter wherein the catheter includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a distal portion, the distal portion sized to be inserted into a lumen of a living body;

• an inflatable balloon having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the balloon connected to the distal end of the shaft;
• and a pressure source sized to be inserted into said lumen and connected to the distal portion of the shaft, the method comprising the steps of:
• (i) inserting the balloon catheter into a vascular system of a patient;
• (ii) positioning the balloon adjacent a treatment site inside the vascular system;
• (iii) actuating the pressure source to at least partially inflate the balloon;
• (iv) actuating the pressure source to at least partially deflate the balloon;
• and
• (v) withdrawing the balloon catheter from the vascular system.