# US 8,540,666 B2 · Echogenic occlusive balloon and delivery system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,666 B2 - Document ID: US8540666B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/316,501 - Filed: 2005-12-21 - Published: 2007-06-21 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2005-12-21 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Applicants: Robert Rioux; David J. Sauvageau - Inventors: Robert Rioux; David J. Sauvageau - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540666B2 ## CPC - A61B 8/12: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters - A61M 25/10: Balloon catheters ({A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02;} inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 {; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00}) - A61M 37/00: Other apparatus for introducing media into the body (for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30); Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin (salt baths A61H33/04) - A61B 90/39: {Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers} - A61B 2090/3925: {ultrasonic} - A61M 2025/1052: {for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector} - A61M 2025/1079: {having radio-opaque markers in the region of the balloon} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A vessel occlusion apparatus includes an elongate shaft having a fluid delivery lumen; and an expandable member carried on a distal end portion of the shaft, the expandable member comprising a body defining an interior region, the interior region in communication with the fluid delivery lumen, the body comprising a wall having one or more embedded fluid pockets therein, each of the one or more pockets containing a fluid capable of being imaged, e.g., having echogenic qualities for detection using ultrasound imaging. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vessel occlusion apparatus, comprising: an elongate shaft having a fluid delivery lumen; and an expandable member carried on a distal end portion of the shaft, the expandable member comprising a body defining an interior region, the interior region in communication with the fluid delivery lumen, the body formed of a first sheet of material secured to a second sheet of material using an adhesive at selected locations, thereby creating a plurality of fluid pockets between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein the fluid pockets are fluidically isolated from any fluid lumens. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid pockets have an elongated shape and contain a fluid that can be imaged using an imaging device, and wherein the elongated shape is configured for allowing a continuous portion of the expandable member body to be imaged using the imaging device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable member comprises an inflatable balloon. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, the fluid comprising a gas. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, the fluid comprising a liquid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, the imaging device comprising a fluoroscopic imager. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, the imaging device comprising an ultrasound imager. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable member is sized to occlude a blood vessel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the expandable member body is electrically conductive. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid pockets are rectangular. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an elongate tubular delivery member having a lumen sized to accommodate insertion of the elongate shaft and expandable member there through. ### Claim 12 An apparatus for use in a medical procedure, comprising: an elongate tubular delivery member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal portions, wherein the distal portion of the tubular member is formed of a first sheet of material secured to a second sheet of material using an adhesive at selected locations, thereby creating a plurality of fluid pockets between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein the fluid pockets are fluidically isolated from any fluid lumens. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the distal portion of the tubular member comprises a tissue-piercing distal tip. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fluid pockets have an elongated shape and contain a fluid that can be imaged using an imaging device, and wherein the elongated shape is configured for allowing a continuous portion of the distal portion of the tubular member to be imaged using the imaging device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, the fluid comprising a gas. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, the fluid comprising a liquid. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, the imaging device comprising a fluoroscopic imager. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, the imaging device comprising an ultrasound imager. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fluid pockets are rectangular. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a balloon apparatus sized for insertion through the lumen of the tubular delivery member. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the balloon apparatus comprises an elongate shaft and an expandable member carried on a distal end portion of the elongate shaft. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the expandable member is sized to occlude a blood vessel.