Method of using a catheter sleeve

A method for using a balloon catheter comprising the following steps:

• inserting a balloon catheter, of the type including a balloon, into a body lumen;
• aligning the balloon with a target site;
• inflating the balloon to a first diametral dimension to dilate the target site;
• deflating the balloon;
• selecting a substantially inelastic expandable balloon enlargement sleeve;
• positioning the balloon enlargement sleeve in alignment with the deflated balloon at the target site;
• reinflating the balloon so as to expand the enlargement sleeve therewith at the target site to a second diametral dimension to further dilate the target site;
• and
• the selecting step including the step of selecting an enlargement sleeve having numerous axial openings formed therein to achieve a desired diametral expansion with the enlargement sleeve.

A method for using a balloon catheter comprising the following steps:

• inserting a balloon catheter, of the type including a balloon, into a body lumen;
• aligning the balloon with a target site;
• inflating the balloon to a first diametral dimension to dilate the target site;
• deflating the balloon;
• selecting an elastomeric, expandable balloon enlargement sleeve;
• positioning the balloon enlargement sleeve in alignment with the deflated balloon at the target site;
• reinflating the balloon so as to expand the enlargement sleeve therewith at the target site to a second diametral dimension to further dilate the target site;
• and
• the selecting step including the step of selecting a balloon enlargement sleeve having numerous axial openings formed therein to achieve a desired diametral expansion with the enlargement sleeve.

A method for using a balloon catheter comprising the following steps:

• inserting a balloon catheter, of the type including a balloon, into a body lumen;
• aligning the balloon with a target site;
• inflating the balloon to a first diametral dimension to dilate the target site;
• deflating the balloon;
• wherein an elastomeric, expandable balloon enlargement sleeve is disposed on the balloon catheter during at least the inflating and deflating steps;
• positioning the balloon enlargement sleeve in alignment with the deflated balloon while the balloon remains near the target site;
• and
• reinflating the balloon so as to expand the enlargement sleeve therewith at the target site to a second diametral dimension to further dilate the target site substantially immediately following the positioning step;
• wherein the balloon enlargement sleeve has an initial inside diameter and an initial thickness sized to achieve a desired diametral expansion with the enlargement sleeve.

A method for using a balloon catheter comprising the following steps:

• inserting a balloon catheter, of the type including a balloon, into a body lumen;
• aligning the balloon with a target site;
• inflating the balloon to a first diametral dimension to dilate the target site;
• deflating the balloon;
• wherein an elastomeric, expandable balloon enlargement sleeve is disposed on the balloon catheter during at least the inflating and deflating steps;
• positioning the balloon enlargement sleeve in alignment with the deflated balloon while the balloon remains near the target site;
• reinflating the balloon so as to expand the enlargement sleeve therewith at the target site to a second diametral dimension to further dilate the target site substantially immediately following the positioning step;
• and
• predicting the second diametral dimension based upon the first diametral dimension and the wall thickness of the enlargement sleeve selected.

A method for using a balloon catheter comprising the following steps:

• inserting a balloon catheter, of the type including a balloon, into a body lumen;
• aligning the balloon with a target site;
• inflating the balloon to a first diametral dimension to dilate the target site;
• deflating the balloon;
• wherein an expandable balloon enlargement sleeve is disposed on the balloon catheter during at least the inflating and deflating steps;
• positioning the balloon enlargement sleeve in alignment with the deflated balloon while the balloon remains near the target site;
• and
• reinflating the balloon so as to expand the enlargement sleeve therewith at the target site to a second diametral dimension to further dilate the target site substantially immediately following the positioning step;
• wherein the balloon enlargement sleeve is sized and constructed to expand to said second diametral dimension during said reinflating step and further dilate the target site.

A method for using a balloon catheter comprising the following steps:

• inserting a balloon catheter, of the type including a balloon, into a body lumen;
• aligning the balloon with a target site;
• inflating the balloon to a first diametral dimension to dilate the target site;
• deflating the balloon;
• selecting an expandable, elastic balloon enlargement sleeve;
• positioning the balloon enlargement sleeve in alignment with the deflated balloon at the target site;
• reinflating the balloon so as to expand the enlargement sleeve therewith at the target site to a second diametral dimension to further dilate the target site;
• and
• the selecting step comprising the step of selecting an enlargement sleeve having a wall thickness sufficient to make the second diametral dimension at least about 110% of the first diametral dimension.

A method for using a balloon catheter comprising the following steps:

• inserting a balloon catheter, of the type including a balloon, into a body lumen;
• aligning the balloon with a target site;
• inflating the balloon to a first diametral dimension to dilate the target site;
• deflating the balloon;
• moving the deflated balloon from the target site;
• selecting an expandable balloon enlargement sleeve;
• aligning the enlargement sleeve and the deflated balloon and then moving said aligned enlargement sleeve and deflated balloon to the target site;
• reinflating the balloon so as to expand the enlargement sleeve therewith at the target site to a second diametral dimension to further dilate the target site;
• end
• the selecting step comprising the step of selecting an enlargement sleeve having a wall thickness sufficient to make the second diametral dimension at least about 110% of the first diametral dimension.

A method for using a balloon catheter comprising the following steps:

• inserting a balloon catheter, of the type including a balloon, into a body lumen;
• aligning the balloon with a target site;
• inflating the balloon to a first diametral dimension to dilate the target site;
• deflating the balloon;
• selecting an expandable balloon enlargement sleeve having a wall thickness of about 0.25 to 0.50 mm when expanded;
• positioning the balloon enlargement sleeve in alignment with the deflated balloon at the target site;
• reinflating the balloon so as to expand the enlargement sleeve therewith at the target site to a second diametral dimension to further dilate the target site;
• and
• the selecting step comprising the step of selecting an enlargement sleeve having a wall thickness sufficient to make the second diametral dimension at least about 110% of the first diametral dimension.

A method for using a balloon catheter comprising the following steps:

• inserting a balloon catheter, of the type including a balloon, into a body lumen;
• aligning the balloon with a target site;
• inflating the balloon to a first diametral dimension to dilate the target site;
• deflating the balloon;
• selecting an expandable balloon enlargement sleeve having numerous axial openings formed therein to facilitate diametral expansion of the enlargement sleeve;
• positioning the balloon enlargement sleeve in alignment with the deflated balloon at the target site;
• reinflating the balloon so as to expand the enlargement sleeve therewith at the target site to a second diametral dimension to further dilate the target site;
• and
• the selecting step comprising the step of selecting an enlargement sleeve having a wall thickness sufficient to make the second diametral dimension at least about 110% of the first diametral dimension.

A method for using a balloon catheter comprising the following steps:

• inserting a balloon catheter, of the type including a balloon, into a body lumen;
• aligning the balloon with a target site;
• inflating the balloon to a first diametral dimension to dilate the target site;
• deflating the balloon;
• selecting an expandable balloon enlargement sleeve made of a lubricious material;
• positioning the balloon enlargement sleeve in alignment with the deflated balloon at the target site;
• reinflating the balloon so as to expand the enlargement sleeve therewith at the target site to a second diametral dimension to further dilate the target site;
• and
• the selecting step comprising the step of selecting an enlargement sleeve having a wall thickness sufficient to make the second diametral dimension at least about 110% of the first diametral dimension.

A method for using a balloon catheter comprising the following steps:

• inserting a balloon catheter, of the type including a balloon, into a body lumen;
• aligning the balloon with a target site;
• inflating the balloon to a first diametral dimension to dilate the target site;
• deflating the balloon;
• selecting an expandable balloon enlargement sleeve;
• positioning the balloon and the enlargement sleeve relative to one another using radiopaque markers connected to both of the balloon and the balloon enlargement sleeve;
• positioning the balloon enlargement sleeve in alignment with the deflated balloon at the target site;
• reinflating the balloon so as to expand the enlargement sleeve therewith at the target site to a second diametral dimension to further dilate the target site;
• and
• the selecting step comprising the step of selecting an enlargement sleeve having a wall thickness sufficient to make the second diametral dimension at least about 110% of the first diametral dimension.

A method for using a balloon catheter comprising the following steps:

• inserting a balloon catheter, of the type including a balloon, into a body lumen;
• aligning the balloon with a target site;
• inflating the balloon to a first diametral dimension to dilate the target site;
• deflating the balloon;
• selecting an elastomeric, expandable balloon enlargement sleeve;
• positioning the balloon enlargement sleeve in alignment with the deflated balloon at the target site;
• reinflating the balloon so as to expand the enlargement sleeve therewith at the target site to a second diametral dimension to further dilate the target site;
• predicting the second diametral dimension based upon the first diametral dimension and the wall thickness of the enlargement sleeve selected;
• and
• wherein the predicting step includes the step of determining if the enlargement sleeve is made of an elastomeric materials and, if so, predetermining an expected reduction in the thickness of the elastomeric material when the balloon is reinflated.