Balloon catheter with improved pressure source

Abstract

A balloon catheter which has an elongate shaft with an inflatable balloon connected to its distal end and a manifold connected to its proximal end. The manifold may be fixedly or removably attached to the shaft and includes a barrel with a plunger movably disposed inside it. The barrel has an internal volume of less than 5 cc and an internal diameter of less than 0.25 inches. A pressure transducer may be mounted to the manifold to permit measurement via a sensor tube. A pressure source for a balloon catheter including a barrel with a plunger inside it. The barrel is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen of the catheter and has an internal volume less than 5 cc and an internal diameter of less than 0.25 inches. A pressure sensor may be connected to the barrel with a sensor tube defining a fluid path from the interior of the barrel to the pressure sensor. A lock mechanism may be connected to the barrel to control longitudinal movement of the plunger. Pressure sources for balloon catheters with an adjusted P/ΔV of 4000 atm/cu.in. or more and preferably 6000 atm/cu.in. or more over a pressure range of 5 to 15 atm. Connection tubes for connecting a pressure source to a balloon catheter with an adjusted P/ΔV of 6000 atm/cu.in. or more (or an adjusted P/ΔV by unit length of 90×103 atm/sq.in. or more) and preferably 8000 atm/cu.in. or more (or an adjusted P/ΔV by unit length of 110×103 atm/sq.in. or more) over a pressure range of 5 to 15 atm.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.