Balloon pump angioplasty system and method of use

Abstract

Devices and methods for simultaneously performing mechanical circulatory assistance and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty ("PTCA") during periods of hemodynamic instability through a single femoral puncture site. One embodiment includes a balloon pump catheter that includes a lumen that communicates with a balloon located at the distal end of the catheter and a second lumen which has been proportionally sized to receive a coronary angioplasty guiding catheter which is insertable into the lumen. Once the balloon pump catheter is in place and operational, the guiding catheter is further advanced towards the coronary ostium where it then receives an angioplasty balloon catheter that is used to perform angioplasty for the removal of the blockage. In another embodiment of the present invention, the intra aortic balloon pump catheter is releasingly connected to an angioplasty guiding catheter which allows for the simultaneous insertion of both catheters. Once the balloon pump catheter is in place and operational, the guiding catheter is further advanced to a point where an angioplasty balloon catheter can then be inserted for the removal of the blockage.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.