US 6,234,996 B1 · Integrated inflation/deflation device and method

Abstract

An integrated inflation/deflation device provides easy, precise delivery of a small amount of fluid for proper inflation of a low volume surgical balloon and similarly provides easy and fast deflation of the balloon. A preferred embodiment includes a low volume syringe and large syringe mounted together within a housing. A port in the low volume syringe is in communication with the large syringe barrel. The low volume syringe plunger is controlled by a knob disposed on the housing. The large syringe is used to prime the surgical balloon system, including a catheter, and the low volume syringe delivers a precise, predetermined volume of fluid to inflate the balloon. The low volume syringe is also used to deflate the balloon. Preferably, indicia on the housing adjacent the knob direct the required rotation of the knob to deliver the correct volume of fluid to be injected to match a balloon of a given size and shape so that the balloon is properly inflated.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A syringe assembly for use with a low volume surgical balloon attached at a distal portion of an elongated tube, the tube having a proximal portion, a sealed distal end and an inflation lumen extending therebetween for communicating fluid to the balloon, the assembly comprising:

a low volume syringe with an elongated, hollow body having proximal and distal ends, a connector on the distal end, a port formed through the body between the proximal and distal ends, and a plunger longitudinally slidable within the body and a gear rack extending proximally from a plunger proximal end;
a large volume syringe having a relatively large fluid capacity and comprising an elongated, hollow body having proximal and distal ends, a plunger longitudinally slidable within the body and having a shaft with a piston disposed on a large shaft distal end and a handle disposed on a large shaft proximal end, and the large syringe body distal end has an opening in communication with a channel leading to the low volume syringe port;
and
a housing adapted to substantially enclose both the low volume syringe and the large syringe, the housing including a knob having at least one protrusion adapted to engage said gear rack.

1 more element

A method of easily and precisely inflating a balloon catheter comprising an elongated tube having a proximal portion and a sealed distal end with a surgical balloon attached thereto, the tube having a longitudinally extending lumen communicating with the balloon for inflation thereof, the method comprising:

inserting and positioning the tube and balloon at a desired position within a blood vessel of a patient;
providing a syringe assembly comprising an inflation syringe having an inflation lumen and a reservoir syringe having a reservoir lumen;
providing a port through a side of the inflation lumen;
providing a channel connecting a distal end of the reservoir lumen to the inflation lumen port;
providing an inflation plunger within the inflation lumen and a reservoir plunger within the reservoir lumen;
positioning the inflation plunger so that a distal end of the inflation plunger is adjacent a proximal side of the port;
connecting the proximal portion of the tube to a distal end of the inflation lumen;
pulling on the reservoir plunger to effect evacuation of air or fluid within the tube and the balloon into the reservoir lumen;
and
pushing the inflation plunger to deliver the predetermined amount of fluid to the tube and balloon;
whereby the fluid inflates the balloon to an appropriate size without rupture of the balloon or damage to the blood vessel of the patient.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Integrated inflation/deflation device and method

Life of this patent

Integrated inflation/deflation device and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25