Compliant catheter lumen and methods

An improved vascular catheter of the type having a catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the catheter body includes a proximal region having at least two lumens and a distal region having a common lumen connected to and in communication with both of the lumens of the proximal region and having a cross-sectional area which is less than the combined cross-sectional areas of the two lumens of the proximal region, wherein the improvement comprises a compliant portion in the distal region of the catheter body that can be radially expanded upon application of an internal pressure applied within the common lumen, and wherein the complaint portion is radially expandable from within the common lumen when being subjected to an internal threshold pressure of at least 5 psi.

A vascular catheter system comprising:

• a catheter sheath having a catheter body with a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen, wherein the catheter body includes a compliant portion near the distal end that is radially expandable;
• and
• a balloon angioplasty catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a balloon near the distal end, wherein the catheter can be passed through the lumen of the catheter sheath, and wherein the balloon can be expanded to radially expand the compliant portion.

A vascular catheter sheath for use with a therapeutic catheter having a radially expandable member, said vascular catheter sheath comprising:

• a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen adapted to receive the therapeutic catheter, wherein the catheter body includes a compliant portion near the distal end, said complaint portion being adaptable to conform to the shape of the expandable member when the expandable member is radially expanded in the lumen, wherein the compliant portion is constructed of a resilient material that conforms to the shape of the catheter body until radially expanded, and wherein the compliant portion has a diameter in the range from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm when conforming to the shape of the catheter body and a diameter in the range from 1.5 mm to 5.0 mm when radially expanded.

A vascular catheter sheath for use with a therapeutic catheter having a radially expandable member, said vascular catheter sheath comprising:

• a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen adapted to receive the therapeutic catheter, wherein the catheter body includes a compliant portion near the distal end, said complaint portion being adaptable to conform to the shape of the expandable member when the expandable member is radially expanded in the lumen, and wherein a radially expandable stent is disposed around the compliant portion.

An improved vascular catheter of the type having a catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the catheter body includes a proximal region having at least two lumens and a distal region having a common lumen connected to and in communication with both of the lumens of the proximal region and having a cross-sectional area which is less than the combined cross-sectional areas of the two lumens of the proximal region, wherein the improvement comprises a compliant portion in the distal region of the catheter body that can be radially expanded upon application of an internal pressure applied within the common lumen, and wherein the distal end of the catheter body is tapered, with the distal end having an outer dimension that is smaller than an outer dimension of the distal region.

An improved vascular catheter of the type having a catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the catheter body includes a proximal region having at least two lumens and a distal region having a common lumen connected to and in communication with both of the lumens of the proximal region and having a cross-sectional area which is less than the combined cross-sectional areas of the two lumens of the proximal region, wherein the improvement comprises a compliant portion in the distal region of the catheter body that can be radially expanded upon application of an internal pressure applied within the common lumen, wherein the distal region has a length in the range from about 10 mm to 200 mm, and wherein the compliant portion has a diameter in the range from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm when conforming to the shape of the catheter body and a diameter in the range from 1.5 mm to 5.0 mm when radially expanded.

An improved vascular catheter of the type having a catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the catheter body includes a proximal region having at least two lumens and a distal region having a common lumen connected to and in communication with both of the lumens of the proximal region and having a cross-sectional area which is less than the combined cross-sectional areas of the two lumens of the proximal region, wherein the improvement comprises a compliant portion in the distal region of the catheter body that can be radially expanded upon application of an internal pressure applied within the common lumen, and wherein a radially expandable stent is disposed around the compliant portion.