Balloon catheter with improved pressure source

A method of using a balloon catheter, comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a balloon catheter wherein the balloon catheter includes:
• i. an elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end;
• ii. a balloon connected to the distal end of the elongate tubular member, the balloon having an interior in fluid communication with the inside of the elongate tubular member;
• iii. a fluid displacement rod having a portion thereof slidably disposed in the tubular member such that the balloon may be expanded upon longitudinal actuation of the rod;
• and
• iv. a seal connected to the proximal end of the tubular member and disposed about the displacement rod to create a liquid seal between the inside of the tubular member and the displacement rod;
• b. inserting the balloon catheter into a vascular system of a patient;
• c. positioning the balloon catheter adjacent a treatment site in the vascular system;
• d. displacing the rod to at least partially expand the balloon;
• e. displacing the rod to at least partially contract the balloon;
• and
• f. withdrawing the balloon catheter from the vascular system.

A balloon catheter, comprising:

• a. an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen disposed therein, the lumen extending from a point distal of the proximal end of the elongate shaft to the distal end of the elongate shaft;
• b. a balloon connected to the distal end of the elongate shaft, the balloon having an interior;
• and
• c. a one-way-valve connected to the distal end of the shaft, the one-way-valve permitting a pressurized fluid to flow from the lumen to the interior of the balloon while preventing the pressurized fluid to flow from the interior of the balloon to the lumen.

A method of prepping a balloon catheter, comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a balloon catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the balloon catheter including:
• i. an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen disposed therein;
• ii. a balloon connected to the distal end of the elongate shaft, the balloon having an interior;
• and
• iii. a one-way-valve connected to the distal end of the shaft, the one-way-valve permitting a pressurized fluid to flow from the lumen to the interior of the balloon while preventing the pressurized fluid to flow from the interior of the balloon to the lumen;
• b. providing a pressurized fluid source containing fluid therein;
• c. connecting the pressurized fluid source to the distal end of the lumen in the elongate shaft of the balloon catheter;
• d. plugging the proximal end of the lumen in the elongate shaft of the balloon catheter;
• and
• e. forcing fluid from the pressurized fluid source into the lumen such that the fluid passes into the lumen, through the one-way-valve and into the interior of the balloon.