US20150112256A1 - Medical balloon with radiopaque identifier for precisely identifying the working surface - Google Patents
Medical balloon with radiopaque identifier for precisely identifying the working surface Download PDFInfo
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- US20150112256A1 US20150112256A1 US14/383,739 US201314383739A US2015112256A1 US 20150112256 A1 US20150112256 A1 US 20150112256A1 US 201314383739 A US201314383739 A US 201314383739A US 2015112256 A1 US2015112256 A1 US 2015112256A1
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- balloon
- catheter
- radiopaque
- working surface
- shaft
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
- A61M25/10—Balloon catheters
- A61M25/1002—Balloon catheters characterised by balloon shape
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
- A61M25/10—Balloon catheters
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
- A61M25/10—Balloon catheters
- A61M25/1027—Making of balloon catheters
- A61M25/1029—Production methods of the balloon members, e.g. blow-moulding, extruding, deposition or by wrapping a plurality of layers of balloon material around a mandril
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
- A61M25/10—Balloon catheters
- A61M25/1027—Making of balloon catheters
- A61M25/1029—Production methods of the balloon members, e.g. blow-moulding, extruding, deposition or by wrapping a plurality of layers of balloon material around a mandril
- A61M2025/1031—Surface processing of balloon members, e.g. coating or deposition; Mounting additional parts onto the balloon member's surface
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
- A61M25/10—Balloon catheters
- A61M2025/1043—Balloon catheters with special features or adapted for special applications
- A61M2025/105—Balloon catheters with special features or adapted for special applications having a balloon suitable for drug delivery, e.g. by using holes for delivery, drug coating or membranes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
- A61M25/10—Balloon catheters
- A61M2025/1043—Balloon catheters with special features or adapted for special applications
- A61M2025/1079—Balloon catheters with special features or adapted for special applications having radio-opaque markers in the region of the balloon
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- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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- Biophysics (AREA)
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- Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
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Abstract
A balloon catheter includes an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. An inflatable balloon is supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including first and second spaced conical end sections and a working surface between the conical sections. The balloon further includes at least one radiopaque marking identifying the transition from the conical end section to the working surface. Related aspects are also disclosed.
Description
- The following U.S. Patent Applications are incorporated herein by reference: 61/608,852; 61/608,859; 61/608,862; 61/608,897; 61/608,902; 61/608,908; 61/608,913; 61/608,917; 61/608,927; 61/608,932; 61/608,941; and 61/747,444
- This disclosure relates generally to balloons for performing medical procedures, such as angioplasty and, more particularly, to a medical balloon having a predetermined portion, such as a working surface, that may be precisely located or identified during use.
- Balloons are routinely used to resolve or address flow restrictions or perhaps even complete blockages in tubular areas of the body, such as arteries or veins. In many clinical situations, the restrictions are caused by hard solids, such as calcified plaque, and require the use of high pressures to compact such blockages. Commercially available balloons employ complex technology to achieve high pressure requirements without sacrificing the profile of the balloon. Besides high pressure requirements, the balloons should also be resistant to puncture, easy to track and push, and present a low profile, especially when used for angioplasty.
- In clinical practice, angioplasty balloons are expanded from a deflated, folded state to an expanded state within a vessel to treat a target area, such as a portion of the circumferential inner wall I of a blood vessel V, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 . The inflation of aballoon 12 withwall 28 is traditionally completed using an X-ray contrast agent CM along dimension DX to provide better visibility under X-ray or other form of radiography R during the interventional procedure, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 3 a (which shows the intensity measured by a fluoroscope detector plate, FDP). Typically, a 70/30 percent mixture of contrast agent and saline is used to inflate the balloon during an angioplasty procedure. - In general, a desirable goal is to reduce inflation and deflation times required for balloons without sacrificing the profile of the balloons, especially for large volume balloons (which can require up to two minutes of inflation/deflation times with the contrast agent). Because of its relatively high viscosity, it would also be desirable to eliminate, or at least reduce the amount of, the contrast agent used in inflation/deflation of the balloons. The use of contrast agent prolongs the inflation/deflation times and also poses the risk of iodine exposure to patients sensitive to iodine. In this regard, a non-radiopaque substance could be used in lieu of the contrast agent, such as for example saline or carbon dioxide, but such substances are invisible during X-ray imaging, and thus do not enhance visibility.
- Furthermore, the physician performing the angioplasty procedure should be able to locate the position of the uninflated balloon with accuracy, so that the balloon will be properly positioned once inflated. This is conventionally accomplished by attaching marker bands on the catheter shaft in the region corresponding to the balloon working surface. This “working surface” is the surface along the portion of the balloon that is used to achieve the desired treatment effect, such as contacting the calcified plaque (which surface in the case of a balloon having conical or tapering sections at the proximal and distal ends is typically co-extensive with a generally cylindrical barrel section).
- Misalignment of the marker bands during placement along the shaft sometimes results in their failure to correspond precisely to the extent of the working surface, as is shown in
FIG. 4 (note misalignment amount X between each interior marker band M carried by shaft S and working surface W ofballoon 12, which also typically includes a radiopaque tip P at the distal end). Even upon exercising great care to position the markers properly on the underlying shaft in alignment with anticipated boundaries of the working surface when the balloon is inflated, there remains a tendency for mismatch due to several possible factors. One such factor may be the tolerance stack-ups arising as a consequence of the affixation of the balloon to the distal end of the catheter shaft. The balloon also has a tendency to grow in the longitudinal direction when inflated, especially with large and particularly long balloons. Another factor is the tendency of the portion of the catheter shaft within the balloon to bend or flex during inflation. This may lead to misalignment between radiopaque markers fixed to the shaft and the working surface. - Whatever the cause, the resulting misalignment may prevent the clinician from accurately identifying the location of the working surface of the balloon during an interventional procedure. This may lead to a geographic misplacement, or “miss,” of the intended contact between the target area T and the working surface W of the balloon 12 (see
FIG. 2 ). It is especially desirable to avoid such an outcome when the balloon is designed to deliver a payload (such as a drug, stent, or both) or a working element to a specified location within the vasculature, since a miss may prolong the procedure (such as, for example, by requiring redeployment of theballoon 12 or the use of another balloon catheter in the case of a drug coated balloon). - Upon deflation, the balloon may also be subject to a phenomenon known as “pancaking.” In this condition, the
balloon 12 folds down upon itself to a flattened state, as shown inFIG. 5 . This situation may cause the balloon to be viewed through fluoroscopy as perhaps still being in the inflated condition, since the full width of the balloon may be perceived in the flattened state. This can give the clinician the false perception that the balloon remains inflated, when in fact it is not. - Accordingly, the need is identified for a balloon for which the working surface may be identified during an interventional procedure with enhanced precision. The solution would take into account the possible mismatch between fixed locations on the catheter shaft and the balloon to define the working surface, and would operate independent of the position of the portion of the catheter shaft within the balloon. The improved identification may also allow for the better detection of the false perception of deflation caused by pancaking. Overall, procedural efficiency would be enhanced without remarkably increasing cost or complexity, and in a manner that can be applied to many existing catheter technologies without extensive modification.
- An object of the disclosure is to provide a balloon for which the working surface may be identified during an interventional procedure with enhanced precision.
-
FIGS. 1-9 are illustrative of the background of the invention; -
FIG. 10 illustrates a first embodiment according to the disclosure; -
FIG. 11 illustrates a second embodiment according to the disclosure; -
FIG. 12 illustrates a third embodiment according to the disclosure; -
FIG. 13 illustrates a fourth embodiment according to the disclosure; -
FIG. 14 illustrates a fifth embodiment according to the disclosure; -
FIG. 15 illustrates a sixth embodiment according to the disclosure; -
FIG. 16 illustrates a seventh embodiment according to the disclosure; -
FIG. 17 illustrates an eighth embodiment according to the disclosure; and -
FIG. 18 illustrates the embodiment ofFIG. 17 in a folded condition. - The description provided below and in regard to the figures applies to all embodiments unless noted otherwise, and features common to each embodiment are similarly shown and numbered.
- Provided is a
catheter 10 having adistal portion 11 with aballoon 12 mounted on acatheter tube 14. Referring toFIGS. 6 , 7, and 8, theballoon 12 has anintermediate section 16, or “barrel,” andend sections end sections intermediate section 16 to the catheter tube 14 (and thussections balloon 12 is sealed at balloon ends (proximal end 15 a anddistal end 15 b) on thecone sections balloon 12 via one ormore inflation lumens 17 extending withincatheter tube 14 and communicating with the interior of theballoon 12. - The
catheter tube 14 also includes an elongated,tubular shaft 24 forming aguidewire lumen 23 that directs theguidewire 26 through thecatheter 10, and along the distal end of which theballoon 12 may be located. As illustrated inFIG. 8 , thisguidewire 26 may extend through the proximal end of thecatheter 10 and afirst port 25 of aconnector 27 into thelumen 23 to achieve an “over the wire” (OTW) arrangement, but could also be provided in a “rapid exchange” (RX) configuration, in which theguidewire 26 exits alateral opening 14 a closer to the distal end (seeFIG. 9 ) or else is fed through a passage associated with the tip P distally of the balloon 12 (“short” RX; not shown). Asecond port 29 may also be associated withcatheter 10, such as by way ofconnector 27, for introducing a fluid (e.g., saline, a contrast agent, or both) into the interior compartment of theballoon 12 via theinflation lumen 17. -
Balloon 12 may include a single ormulti-layered balloon wall 28 forming the interior for receiving the inflation fluid. Theballoon 12 may be a non-compliant balloon having aballoon wall 28 that maintains its size and shape in one or more directions when the balloon is inflated. Examples of non-compliant balloons may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,425 and Publication Nos. US 2006/0085022, US 2006/0085023 and US 2006/0085024, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Theballoon 12 in such case also has a pre-determined surface area that remains constant during and after inflation, also has a pre-determined length and pre-determined diameter that each, or together, remain constant during and after inflation. However, theballoon 12 could be semi-compliant or compliant instead, depending on the particular use. - In order to provide for enhanced locatability during an interventional procedure, the
balloon 12 may have a radiopaque quality. In one embodiment, this radiopaque quality is provided in a manner that allows for a clinician to differentiate, with relative ease and high precision, one portion of theballoon 12 from another (such as thebarrel section 16 including the working surface W from thecone sections 18, 20). This helps the clinician ensure the accurate positioning of theballoon 12 and, in particular, the working surface W, at a specified treatment location. This may be especially important in the delivery of a particular item, such as a drug or stent, via the balloon working surface W, as outlined in more detail in the following description. - In one embodiment, the radiopaque quality is achieved by providing strategically positioned identifiers, such as one or more at least partially
radiopaque markings 30. Themarkings 30 are provided at one or more locations on the surface of theballoon wall 28 to create a defined portion as the working surface W. The term “marking” for purposes of this disclosure refers to a radiopaque material forming a single layer on the surface of theballoon wall 28, as contrasted with a multi-layered arrangement (such as one comprising a first layer of a radiopaque material, such as a film, underlying another electroplated or deposited layer of a radiopaque material). - As shown in
FIGS. 10-12 and 14, this marking 30 may be provided in the form of a pair ofmarkings 30, including afirst strip 32 a located at the proximal end of the working surface W, and asecond strip 32 b provided at the distal end of the working surface W. In other words, the first andsecond strips barrel section 16 transitions to form thecone sections balloon 12. - The
strips balloon 12 at the desired location(s) (including possibly at a medial portion of the working surface W, which helps the clinician to confirm the full inflation of the balloon 12). In any case, the marking 30 is provided in a manner that does not require making the entire working surface W radiopaque, and also in a manner that does not prevent the working surface W from making full contact with the treatment area in the intended fashion (i.e., the marking 30 does not appreciably increase the diameter of theballoon 12, including when inflated). Likewise, the marking 30 provided in this manner is separate and spaced apart from any inner member within the interior compartment of theballoon 12, such as theshaft 24 forming theguidewire lumen 23. - The
balloon 12 withmarkings 30 in this embodiment may be created in various ways. For example, themarkings 30 may be provided by applying a radiopaque material to a surface of theballoon wall 28 at the desired location in the form of a coating. This may be done by inking, spraying, printing, stamping, painting, adhering, or otherwise depositing (such as by chemical vapor deposition) the radiopaque material onto the balloon wall 28 (possibly with the application of a mask or the like, in which ease the techniques of dipping or rolling theballoon 12 in the radiopaque material to form the desired coating could be used). The marking 30 may be provided during the process for fabricating theballoon wall 28, such as for example during a coextrusion or blow molding process. Examples of such techniques are described in co-pending applications filed on the same date as this application, including applications entitled “PARISON FOR FORMING BLOW MOLDED MEDICAL BALLOON WITH MODIFIED PORTION, MEDICAL BALLOON, AND RELATED METHODS,” for inventors Paul Fillmore, Andrew Schaffer, Allen Ronan, and Eoin Ryan, and “MEDICAL BALLOON WITH COEXTRUDED RADIOPAQUE PORTION,” for inventors Paul Fillmore, Justin Hall, Pat Byrne, and Margo Underwood. The disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. - In this or other embodiments, the marking 30 is provided along a portion of the
balloon 12 other than along the working surface W, which surface may include no radiopaque identifier or marking of any kind. For example, as shown inFIG. 11 , the marking 30 may be provided only on one or both of thecone sections balloon 12. In one embodiment, as illustrated, the marking 30 is provided along thecone sections cone sections barrel section 16 at the proximal and distal ends, which are considered boundaries or edges of the working surface). - In this or other embodiments, the marking 30 may extend along a portion of the
cone sections FIG. 12 , may extend along theentire cone section catheter 10 associated with the working surface W (including the underlying shaft 24), may include an added radiopaque marker, element or material. Consequently, under fluoroscopy, the entire working surface W may be clearly differentiated from the portion of theballoon 12 including theradiopaque marking 30 or markings, and may also be differentiated form the full balloon length L. - In
FIG. 13 , it is shown that a radiopaque quality may be provided so as to create an accurate indication of the overall balloon length L (that is, the distance between the ends 15) in order to make theballoon 12 locatable without regard to any marker or the like on theshaft 24 forming theguidewire lumen 23. This may be accomplished by providing the radiopaque identifier in the form of a marking 30 at or adjacent each of the locations where theballoon 12 terminates, such as for example at the proximal and distal ends 15 a, 15 b or on the bonds at thetube 14 or tip P. This marking 30 may comprise a strip in the form of circumferential orannular bands strips FIG. 14 , thestrips cone sections balloon 12 and the working surface W, as well as the overall balloon length L (seeFIG. 13 ). - The
balloon 12 may also be provided with radiopaque identifiers that differ between thecone sections barrel section 16. Thus, as shown inFIG. 15 , thebarrel section 16 may include a plurality ofmarkings 30 comprising, for example, a first pattern (e.g., diagonal strips 37). Additionally or alternatively, one or both of thecone sections cone sections - Likewise, one or more of the
markings 30 may take other forms of indicia, such as a logo O or alphanumeric information (such as a brand, trademark information, model or item number, catalog number, rated burst pressure, balloon length, balloon diameter, or the like), which again may be provided on thebarrel section 16,cone sections balloon 12 is inflated or expanded, or both. In addition to helping define the location of the working surface W, this may also allow the clinician to verify or confirm that the correct balloon has been used and that it was successfully deployed or inflated. Still another possibility is to provide graduated radiopaque markings, such as a rule, gradations, or a scale, that indicate the relative dimensions of theballoon 12 on inflation, which may be checked externally for confirmation, if necessary or desired (such as by using a LEMAITRE tape, a version of which is distributed under the VASCUTAPE brand). - Turning to
FIGS. 16 and 17 , it can be understood that the radiopaque identifier may be in the form of one or moreradiopaque markings 30 extending longitudinally along only one or both of thecone sections balloon 12, either along theentire cone section 20, as shown, or only partially. For example, as shown inFIG. 16 , a singlenarrow strip 38 a may extend longitudinally between thedistal end 15 b of theballoon 12 and the distal edge of the working surface W. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 17 , a plurality of such strips, including but not limited to threestrips ends cone sections strips balloon 12 is inflated or pancaked, and closer when theballoon 12 is properly deflated (12′) and not flattened (compareFIGS. 17 and 18 ). -
Balloons 12 that carry one or more surface elements, such as a payload (drug, stent, or both) or a working implement (cutter, focused force wire, or the like) into the vasculature may also benefit from the foregoing description of marking techniques. For example, as shown inFIG. 10 , aballoon 12 including a defined working surface W, such as by providingradiopaque markings 30 at the transitions between thebarrel section 16 andcone sections balloon 12, such as along the entire working surface W or only a portion of it. The identifier may be provided by mixing a radiopaque agent or material in the drug formulation (e.g., active ingredient plus excipient) such that all portions of theballoon 12 coated with the drug become visible under fluoroscopy, by coating a portion of the balloon with a radiopaque material to which the drug formulation preferentially adheres (such that uncoated areas are not covered by the drug), or by adhering the drug formulation to portions of the balloon surface (such as the working surface W) that are not treated with radiopaque material (such as the cone sections inFIG. 12 ). Alternatively or additionally, an identifier providing the desired radiopacity may be embedded in thewall 28, including for example by providing it as a material layer of thewall 28, or in a single layer between multiple layers of thewall 28. The drug D may be applied to the inflated balloon as part of the manufacturing process, and prior to folding for insertion in the vasculature. The clinician may thus with the benefit of a fluoroscope determine the precise positioning of the working surface W prior to inflating theballoon 12 in the vasculature to deliver the drug D to the desired location and provide the desired treatment regimen. - Examples of radiopaque materials include, but are not limited to, finely divided tungsten, tantalum, bismuth, bismuth trioxide, bismuth oxychloride, bismuth subcarbonate, other bismuth compounds, barium sulfate, tin, silver, silver compounds, rare earth oxides, and many other substances commonly used for X-ray absorption. The amount used may vary depending on the desired degree of radiopacity.
- The identifiers may also comprise a radiopaque material applied to the interior surface of the
balloon wall 28, such as by painting or other bonding. In one example, the radiopaque material comprises gold applied to the exterior or interior surface of theballoon 12, such as in the form of a band (which may be any of the bands described herein). The gold may be applied in leaf form, given its softness and malleability, which also means that it will not in any way hinder the expansion of theballoon 12. - The subject matter of each of the paragraphs below citing a balloon or a catheter can be part of a balloon or a catheter respectively that is cited in any of the other paragraphs:
- 1.1 A balloon catheter, comprising: an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an inflatable balloon supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including first and second spaced conical end sections and a working surface between the conical sections, the balloon further including at least one radiopaque marking identifying the transition from the conical end section to the working surface.
- 1.2 The catheter of paragraph 1.1, wherein the at least one radiopaque marking comprises a first radiopaque marking at a first transition between the first conical end section and the working surface, and further including a second radiopaque marking at a second transition between the second conical end section and the working surface.
- 1.3 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein the at least one marking comprises a strip.
- 1.4 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs, further including a plurality of radiopaque markings in the form of strips.
- 1.5 The catheter of paragraph 1.4, wherein the strips extend at least partially in a longitudinal direction between the first and second conical end sections.
- 1.6 The catheter of paragraphs 1.4 or 1.5, wherein the strips comprise annular bands.
- 1.7 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein at least two spaced radiopaque markings are provided on each conical end section, including one adjacent a distal portion and a proximal portion of each conical end section.
- 1.8 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein the balloon includes a barrel section between the first and second conical end sections, and further including a plurality of radiopaque markings on the barrel section.
- 1.9 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein the marking comprises a first pattern on the conical end sections and further including a second, different pattern on the working surface.
- 1.10 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein the at least one marking is selected from the group consisting of a pattern, a strip, a brand, a logo, a letter, a number, a word, or combinations thereof.
- 1.11 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein the identifier comprises a scale.
- 1.12 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein the balloon includes a drug.
- 1.13 The catheter of paragraph 1.12, wherein the drug corresponds to the location of the radiopaque marking.
- 1.14 The catheter of paragraph 1.12, wherein the drug corresponds to other than the location of the radiopaque marking.
- 1.15 The catheter of paragraph 1.12, wherein the radiopaque marking comprises the drug formulated to include a radiopacifier.
- 1.16 A balloon having a drug carried on a working surface of the balloon wall and a radiopaque identifier identifying the location of the drug on the balloon.
- 1.17 The balloon of paragraph 1.16, wherein the radiopaque identifier comprises a radiopaque material mixed with a formulation comprising the drug.
- 1.18 The balloon of paragraph 1.16, wherein the working surface is along a barrel section of the balloon, and the radiopaque identifier is on one or both cone sections of the balloon.
- 2.1 A balloon catheter, comprising: an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an inflatable balloon supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including a generally cylindrical barrel section forming a working surface, and generally conical end sections that do not form a part of the working surface, the balloon further including at least one radiopaque identifier for indicating the relative position of the working surface, said identifier being provided on at least one of the conical end sections of the balloon so as to define the extent of the working surface.
- 2.2 The catheter of paragraph 2.1, wherein the identifier comprises a marking.
- 2.3 The catheter of paragraph 2.1 or 2.2, wherein a first marking is provided at a first transition between the first conical section end section and the working surface and a second marking is provided at a second transition between the second end section and the working surface.
- 2.4 The catheter of paragraph 2.2 or 2.3, wherein the marking comprises a strip.
- 2.5 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein the identifier comprises a longitudinal strip extending between an end of the balloon and the barrel section.
- 2.6 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs, further including a plurality of identifiers.
- 2.7 The catheter of paragraph 2.6, wherein each of the plurality of identifiers comprises a longitudinally extending strip.
- 2.8 The catheter of paragraph 2.6 or 2.7, wherein the identifiers comprise annular bands.
- 2.9 The catheter of paragraph 2.6 or paragraph 2.8 as dependent on paragraph 2.6, wherein the identifiers comprise longitudinally extending strips.
- 2.10 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 2.1 to 2.9, wherein at least two spaced radiopaque identifiers are provided on each end section.
- 2.11 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 2.1 to 2.10, further including at least one radiopaque identifier on the barrel section.
- 2.12 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 2.1 to 2.11, wherein the identifier is a first identifier comprising a first pattern, and further including a second identifier comprising a second, different pattern.
- 2.13 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 2.1 to 2.12, wherein the identifier includes at least one letter or number.
- 2.14 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 2.1 to 2.13, wherein the identifier comprises a logo.
- 2.15 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 2.1 to 2.14, wherein the identifier comprises a scale.
- 2.16 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 2.1 to 2.15, further including a drug on the balloon.
- 3.1 An inflatable balloon for use in connection with a catheter, comprising: an inflatable body including a working surface extending in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end, the body having at least one radiopaque identifier provided along the body for identifying at least a first end of the working surface, the radiopaque identifier having a first radiographic quality for identifying the location of the first end of the working surface and a second radiographic quality at a location other than at the first end of the working surface.
- 3.2 The balloon of paragraph 3.1, wherein the second radiographic quality is provided for identifying the second end of the working surface.
- 3.3 The catheter of paragraph 3.2, wherein the first radiographic quality and the second radiographic quality are substantially the same.
- 3.4 The balloon of paragraph 3.1, wherein the radiopaque identifier comprises a marking.
- 3.5 The balloon of paragraph 3.1, wherein the radiopaque identifier follows a generally helical path from the first end to the second end of the working surface.
- 3.6 The balloon of paragraph 3.1, wherein the identifier comprises a plurality of helical identifiers extending along the working surface.
- 3.7 The balloon of paragraph 3.1, wherein the identifier comprises a radiopaque filament.
- 3.8 The balloon of paragraph 3.7, wherein the filament is wound helically along at least a portion of the working surface of the balloon.
- 3.9 The balloon of any of the foregoing paragraphs 3.1 to 3.8, further including a drug on the balloon.
- 3.16 A balloon for use in connection with a catheter, comprising: a body having an outer surface and at least one winding extending along the outer surface of the balloon, said balloon having a radiopaque quality.
- 3.17 The balloon of paragraph 3.16, wherein the winding comprises a radiopaque filament.
- 3.18 The balloon of any of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein the radiopaque identifier comprises a helical pattern or a diamond pattern.
- 3.19 A catheter including the balloon of any of the foregoing paragraphs.
- 3.20 An inflatable balloon for use in connection with a catheter comprising a radiopaque identifier comprising a helical pattern or a diamond pattern.
- 4.1 A balloon catheter for use in connection with a guidewire, comprising: an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an inflatable balloon supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including first and second spaced ends and a working surface between the ends; and at least one wire including at least a radiopaque portion for identifying the location of working surface of the balloon.
- 4.2 The catheter of paragraph 4.1, wherein said wire comprises a material having a shape memory for adjusting between a first state and a second state.
- 4.3 The catheter of paragraph 4.1 or 4.2, wherein the at least one wire extends generally in the longitudinal direction.
- 4.4 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 4.1 to 4.3, wherein the radiopaque portion is elongated.
- 4.5 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 4.1 to 4.4, wherein the wire at least partially comprises a polymer.
- 4.6 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 4.1 to 4.5, wherein the at least one wire is at least partially elastic.
- 4.7 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 4.1 to 4.6, comprising: a plurality of wires extending generally in the longitudinal direction, at least one of the wires including at least a radiopaque portion for identifying the location of working surface of the balloon.
- 4.8 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 4.1 to 4.7, wherein at least one wire extends along an outer surface of the balloon.
- 4.9 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 4.1 to 4.8, wherein at least one wire extends along an inner surface of the balloon.
- 4.10 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 4.1 to 4.9, wherein at least one wire extends from the first end to the second end of the balloon.
- 4.11 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 4.1 to 4.10, wherein the radiopaque portion of at least one wire extends along a portion of the balloon corresponding to the working surface.
- 4.12 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 4.1 to 4.11, wherein the radiopaque portion of at least one wire extends along other than along the portion of the balloon corresponding to the working surface.
- 4.13 The catheter of paragraph 4.7 or any of paragraphs 4.8 to 4.12 as dependent on paragraph 4.7, wherein the wires are spaced substantially equidistantly around a circumference of the balloon.
- 4.14 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 4.1 to 4.13, wherein the wire includes a compliant or semi-compliant portion.
- 4.15 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 4.1 to 4.14, wherein at least one end of the at least partially radiopaque wire is attached to a bond connecting the balloon to the shaft.
- 4.16 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 4.1 to 4.15, further including a drug provided on the balloon.
- 4.17 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 4.1 to 4.16, wherein at least one wire at least partially comprises a material having a shape memory for adjusting between a first state and a second state.
- 4.18 The catheter of paragraph 4.2 or 4.17, wherein the shape memory material comprises NITINOL.
- 5.1 A balloon catheter adapted for use with a guidewire, comprising: an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an inflatable balloon supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including first and second spaced ends and a working surface between the ends; and an insert located within the interior compartment of the balloon, the insert including at least a radiopaque portion separate from the shaft.
- 5.2 The catheter of paragraph 5.1, wherein the insert is adapted for moving relative to the shaft.
- 5.3 The catheter of paragraph 5.1 or 5.2, wherein the insert extends from a first end of the balloon to one end of the working surface.
- 5.4 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 5.1 to 5.3, wherein the insert comprises a tube made at least partially of a radiopaque material.
- 5.5 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 5.1 to 5.4, wherein the insert comprises at least one finger.
- 5.6 The catheter of paragraph 5.5, wherein the finger includes a radiopaque end portion.
- 5.7 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 5.1 to 5.6, wherein the insert comprises a plurality of fingers adapted for moving from a retracted condition to an expanded condition when the balloon is inflated.
- 5.8 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 5.1 to 5.7, further including a retractable sheath at least partially covering the insert.
- 5.9 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 5.1 to 5.8, wherein the insert comprises a wire.
- 5.10 The catheter of paragraph 5.9, wherein the wire includes a radiopaque portion corresponding to the working surface.
- 5.11 The catheter of paragraph 5.10, wherein the wire extends from the first end to the second end of the balloon, and the radiopaque portion comprises an intermediate portion of the wire.
- 5.12 The catheter of paragraph 5.10 or 5.11, wherein the wire extends from the first end to the second end of the balloon, and the radiopaque portion comprises an end portion of the wire.
- 5.13 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 5.1 to 5.12, wherein at least one end of the insert is connected at a location where the balloon connects to the tubular shaft.
- 5.14 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 5.1 to 5.13, wherein the insert comprises an annular band.
- 5.15 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 5.1 to 5.14, wherein the insert includes perforations.
- 5.16 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 5.1 to 5.15, wherein the insert comprises a material having a shape memory.
- 5.17 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 5.1 to 5.16, further including a drug on the balloon.
- 6.1 A parison for being blow molded into a medical balloon for a catheter, comprising: a first tubular layer having a functional modification; and a second tubular layer adapted for bonding with the first tubular layer to form the blow molded balloon.
- 6.2 The parison of paragraph 6.1, wherein the first layer is external to the second layer.
- 6.3 The parison of paragraph 6.1, wherein the first layer is internal to the second layer.
- 6.4 The parison of any of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein the functional modification comprises a radiopaque strip.
- 6.5 The parison of paragraph 6.4, wherein the strip comprises a circumferential band.
- 6.6 The parison of paragraph 6.4 or 6.5, wherein the strip extends between a first end and a second end of the first layer.
- 6.7 The parison of any of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein the first tubular layer is spaced from the second tubular layer.
- 6.8 The parison of any of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein the functional modification is selected from the group consisting of an added radiopacifier, a surface pattern, an etching, one or more perforations, and combinations of the foregoing.
- 6.9 A medical balloon formed by the parison of any of the foregoing paragraphs, comprising: a tubular, inflatable body comprising a wall, the body including first and second generally conical ends and a generally cylindrical barrel section between the generally conical ends and providing a working surface.
- 6.10 The balloon of paragraph 6.9, wherein the first layer extends from the first end to the second end of the balloon.
- 6.11 The balloon of paragraph 6.9, wherein the first layer extends along only the working surface.
- 6.12 The balloon of any of paragraphs 6.9 to 6.11, wherein the first layer extends along an entire circumference of a portion of the wall.
- 6.13 The balloon of any of paragraphs 6.9 to 6.12, wherein the first layer extends along the full circumference of the wall.
- 6.14 The balloon of any of paragraphs 6.9 to 6.13, wherein the wall includes first and second spaced shoulders, and wherein the first layer is positioned between the shoulders.
- 6.15 The balloon of any of paragraphs 6.9 to 6.14, wherein the first and second layers both extend from a first end to a second end of the balloon.
- 6.16 The balloon of any of paragraphs 6.9 to 6.15, further comprising an at least partially radiopaque tube positioned over the barrel section and extending substantially along the working surface.
- 6.17 The balloon of paragraph 6.16, further including first and second shoulders adjacent the proximal and distal ends of the radiopaque tube.
- 6.18 The balloon of paragraph 6.16 or 6.17, wherein the entire tube is radiopaque.
- 7.1 A balloon catheter, comprising: an elongated, tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and a balloon positioned along the distal end of the shaft, a portion of a wall of the balloon partially comprising a coextruded radiopaque material.
- 7.2 The catheter of paragraph 7.1, wherein the radiopaque portion comprises at least one strip extending along a working surface of the balloon.
- 7.3 The catheter of paragraph 7.1 or 7.2, wherein the radiopaque portion comprises at least one strip extending along a full length surface of the balloon.
- 7.4 The catheter of any of paragraphs 7.1 to 7.3, wherein the radiopaque portion comprises at least one strip extending along a first cone section of the balloon.
- 7.5 The catheter of paragraph 7.4, wherein the radiopaque portion comprises at least one strip extending along a second cone section of the balloon.
- 7.6 The catheter of any of paragraphs 7.1 to 7.5, wherein the balloon includes a plurality of radiopaque portions.
- 7.7 The catheter of paragraph 7.6, wherein each of the plurality of radiopaque portions comprises a longitudinal strip.
- 7.8 The catheter of paragraph 7.7, wherein the strips extend at least along a working surface of the balloon.
- 7.9 The catheter of any of paragraphs 7.6 to 7.8, wherein the plurality of radiopaque portions are spaced apart in a circumferential direction.
- 7.10 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 7.1 to 7.9, wherein the balloon includes a barrel section and conical sections at each end of the barrel section, and wherein the radiopaque portion is provided on the barrel section.
- 7.11 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 7.1 to 7.10, wherein the balloon includes a barrel section and conical sections at each end of the barrel section, and wherein the radiopaque portion is provided on one or both of the cone sections.
- 7.12 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 7.1 to 7.11, wherein the radiopaque portion comprises a layer of the balloon wall.
- 7.13 The catheter of paragraph 7.12, wherein the layer comprises an inner layer.
- 7.14 The catheter of paragraph 7.12 or 7.13, wherein the layer comprises an outer layer.
- 7.15 The catheter of paragraph 7.14, wherein the outer layer is etched.
- 7.16 The catheter of any of paragraphs 7.12 to 7.15, wherein the balloon includes a barrel section and conical sections at each end of the barrel section, and the layer extends along the entire barrel section.
- 7.17 The catheter of any of paragraphs 7.12 to 7.16, wherein the balloon includes a barrel section and conical sections at each end of the barrel section, and the layer extends along the entirety of one or both of the conical sections.
- 7.18 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 7.1 to 7.17, wherein all portions of the wall comprise coextruded radiopaque material.
- 7.19 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 7.1 to 7.18, further including a drug on the balloon.
- 7.20 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 7.1 to 7.19, wherein the radiopaque material comprises ePTFE.
- 8.1 A balloon catheter, comprising: a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and supporting at least one radiopaque identifier; an inflatable balloon supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including a working surface; and an actuator for aligning at least one end of the working surface with the at least one radiopaque identifier.
- 8.2 The catheter of paragraph 8.1, wherein the actuator includes a first position corresponding to a deflated state of the balloon and a second position corresponding to the inflated state of the balloon.
- 8.3 The catheter of paragraph 8.1 or 8.2, wherein the actuator comprises a spring.
- 8.4 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 8.1 to 8.3, wherein the spring comprises a leaf spring.
- 8.5 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 8.1 to 8.4, wherein the actuator comprises a plurality of springs spaced circumferentially about the catheter.
- 8.6 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 8.1 to 8.5, wherein a first portion of the actuator is fixed to the balloon and a second portion of the actuator is adapted for movement relative to the shaft.
- 8.7 The catheter of paragraph 8.6, wherein the first portion of the actuator is captured between two layers on the wall of the balloon.
- 8.8 The catheter of paragraph 8.6 or 8.7, wherein the shaft includes a channel for at least partially receiving the second portion of the actuator.
- 8.9 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 8.1 to 8.8, further including a stop for stopping the movement of the actuator.
- 8.10 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 8.1 to 8.9, wherein the radiopaque identifier comprises a marker attached to the shaft.
- 8.11 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 8.1 to 8.10, wherein the radiopaque identifier comprises an insert positioned within the interior compartment of the balloon.
- 8.12 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 8.1 to 8.11, wherein the actuator is a first actuator for aligning a distal end of the working surface with the radiopaque identifier, and further including a second actuator for aligning a proximal end of the working surface with the radiopaque identifier.
- 8.13 The catheter of paragraph 8.12, wherein each of the first and second actuators comprise a plurality of springs.
- 8.14 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein the radiopaque identifier comprises a first marking and a second marking, and wherein the actuator is a first actuator for aligning a distal end of the working surface with the first marking, and further including a second actuator for aligning a proximal end of the working surface with the second marking.
- 8.15 The balloon catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 8.1 to 8.14, comprising: a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and supporting first and second radiopaque identifiers; a first actuator for aligning a first end of the working surface with the first radiopaque marking; and a second actuator for aligning a second end of the working surface with the second radiopaque identifier.
- 8.16 The balloon catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 8.1 to 8.15, comprising: a shaft for carrying the balloon, the shaft including at least one channel formed in an outer portion of a wall of the shaft; and an actuator having a first end connected to the balloon and a second end at least partially positioned in the channel.
- 8.17 The balloon catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 8.1 to 8.16, comprising: a shaft for carrying the balloon, the shaft including a plurality of channels formed in an outer portion of the wall of the shaft.
- 8.18 The catheter of paragraph 8.17, further including an actuator having a first end connected to the balloon and a second end positioned in at least one of the channels.
- 8.19 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 8.1 to 8.8, comprising: a spring connected to a wall of the balloon.
- 8.20 The catheter of paragraph 8.19, wherein the spring is at least partially radiopaque.
- 8.21 The catheter of paragraph 8.19 or 8.20, wherein the spring is connected to a conical section of the wall of the balloon.
- 8.22 The balloon catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 8.1 to 8.21, wherein the balloon includes a drug.
- 9.1 A balloon catheter for use with a guidewire, comprising: an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an inflatable balloon connected to the distal end of the shaft, the balloon including a working surface; a radiopaque identifier for identifying the working surface; and a receiver adjacent the proximal end of the shaft and adapted for allowing the shaft to move relative to the receiver in at least the longitudinal direction.
- 9.2 The catheter of paragraph 9.1, wherein the shaft carries a stop, and the receiver further includes a recess for receiving the stop, said recess having a dimension in the longitudinal direction that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the stop.
- 9.3 The catheter of paragraph 9.2, further including a tube for supplying an inflation fluid to inflate the balloon, said tube being connected to the receiver and generally coaxial with the shaft, and wherein the stop forms a seal with the recess to prevent the inflation fluid from passing around the shaft.
- 9.4 The catheter of paragraph 9.3, wherein the seal comprises an O-ring arranged coaxially with the shaft.
- 9.5 The catheter of paragraph 9.1, wherein the radiopaque identifier is separate from the shaft.
- 9.6 The catheter of paragraph 9.5, wherein the radiopaque identifier comprises an insert positioned within the interior compartment of the balloon.
- 9.7 The catheter of paragraph 9.6, wherein the insert comprises a tubular sleeve arranged coaxially with the shaft.
- 9.8 The catheter of paragraph 9.6, wherein the insert comprises a first insert at a proximal end of the balloon and a second insert at a distal end of the balloon.
- 9.9 The catheter of paragraph 9.1, further including a guidewire for positioning in the shaft.
- 9.10 A hub for a balloon catheter having an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and an inflatable balloon connected to the distal end of the shaft for being inflated by an inflation fluid, comprising: a body including a receiver for receiving a proximal portion of the shaft and adapted for allowing the shaft to move relative to the receiver in at least the longitudinal direction; and a stop for restraining the movement of the shaft relative to the body in the longitudinal direction.
- 9.11 The hub of paragraph 9.10, wherein the body includes a guidewire port arranged in communication with the receiver, and further including an inflation port for introducing the inflation fluid for inflating the balloon.
- 9.12 The hub of paragraph 9.10, wherein the receiver further includes a recess for receiving the stop, said recess having a dimension in the longitudinal direction that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the stop.
- 9.13 The hub of paragraph 9.12, wherein the stop forms a seal with the recess to prevent the inflation fluid from passing.
- 9.14 The hub of paragraph 9.10, wherein the stop comprises an O-ring.
- 9.15 A catheter including a guidewire shaft having a distal end connected to a balloon and at a proximal end mounted for sliding movement.
- 9.16 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs, further including a drug on the balloon.
- 9.17 A catheter comprising a hub for receiving a proximal end of a guidewire shaft, the shaft being adapted to slidably move in a restrained manner relative to the hub.
- 10.1 A balloon catheter, comprising: an elongated tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end spaced apart in a longitudinal direction, the shaft along a distal portion including at least one radiopaque identifier, said distal portion being formed of a material resistant to elongation in the longitudinal direction; and an inflatable, non-compliant balloon extending over the distal portion of the shaft.
- 10.2 The catheter according to paragraph 10.1, wherein the balloon includes a generally cylindrical barrel section positioned between generally conical sections, said barrel section including a working surface having at least one edge aligned with the radiopaque identifier.
- 10.3 The catheter according to paragraph 10.2, wherein the radiopaque identifier comprises a first marker positioned at the at least one edge of the working surface, and further including a second marker positioned at the opposite edge of the working surface in the longitudinal direction.
- 10.4 The catheter according to paragraph 10.2, wherein each marker comprises a radiopaque band swaged to the distal portion of the shaft.
- 10.5 The catheter according to paragraph 10.1, wherein the distal portion of the shaft comprises a tube adapted for guiding a guidewire from a proximal end of the balloon to a distal end of the balloon.
- 10.6 The catheter according to paragraph 10.1, wherein at least the distal portion of the shaft comprises steel.
- 10.7 The catheter according to paragraph 10.1, wherein the shaft comprises steel.
- 10.8 The catheter according to paragraphs 10.6 or 10.7, wherein the steel shaft comprises a stainless steel.
- 10.9 The catheter according to paragraphs 10.7 or 10.8, wherein the steel shaft includes a spiral cut along a portion other than the distal portion covered by the balloon.
- 10.10 The catheter according to paragraphs 10.7 or 10.8, wherein the steel shaft comprises a polymer layer.
- 10.11 The catheter according to paragraph 10.10, wherein the polymer layer comprises an outer layer of the shaft.
- 10.12 The catheter according to paragraph 10.1, wherein the distal portion of the shaft comprises a polymer shaft including a braid or mesh.
- 10.13 The catheter according to paragraph 10.1, wherein the balloon includes a generally cylindrical barrel section positioned between generally conical sections, the distal portion of the shaft extending from a first end of a first conical section to a second end of a second conical section.
- 10.14 The catheter according to paragraph 10.1, wherein the non-compliant balloon comprises one or more inelastic fibers.
- 10.15 The catheter according to paragraph 10.1, wherein the non-compliant balloon comprises polyethylene terephthalate.
- 10.16 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 10.1 to 10.15, further including a drug on the balloon.
- 11.1 A balloon catheter, comprising: a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction and adapted for expanding from a compressed condition to an expanded condition in the longitudinal direction, the shaft supporting at least one radiopaque identifier; and an inflatable balloon positioned along the shaft, the balloon when inflated including a working surface for aligning with the radiopaque identifier in at least the expanded condition of the shaft.
- 11.2 The catheter of paragraph 11.1, wherein the expandable shaft comprises a first portion connected in tandem to an expandable element.
- 11.3 The catheter of paragraphs 11.1 or 11.2, wherein the expandable element comprises a spring.
- 11.4 The catheter of paragraph 11.3, wherein the spring comprises a coil spring.
- 11.5 The catheter of paragraphs 11.3 or 11.4, wherein the spring comprises a tension coil spring.
- 11.6 The catheter of paragraph 11.2, wherein the expandable element comprises a bellows.
- 11.7 The catheter of paragraph 11.2, wherein the expandable element comprises a fiber matrix.
- 11.8 The catheter of paragraph 11.7, further including a spring associated with the fiber matrix.
- 11.9 The catheter of any of paragraphs 11.2-11.8, wherein the expandable element is inside an interior compartment of the balloon.
- 11.10 The catheter of any of paragraphs 11.2-11.8, wherein the expandable element is outside an interior compartment of the balloon.
- 11.11 The catheter of any of paragraphs 11.2-11.10, wherein the expandable element connects to one end of the balloon.
- 11.12 The catheter of any of paragraphs 11.2-11.10, wherein the expandable element connects the first portion of the shaft to a second portion of the shaft.
- 11.13 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 11.1 to 11.12, wherein the shaft comprises an inflation lumen for delivering an inflation fluid to the balloon.
- 11.14 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 11.1 to 11.13, wherein the expandable shaft in at least a partially expanded condition a port for delivering the inflation fluid to the balloon, said port being closed when the shaft is in a non-expanded condition.
- 11.15 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 11.1 to 11.14, wherein the expandable shaft comprises a first expandable element connecting a first portion of the shaft to a second portion of the shaft, and further including a second expandable element connecting the second portion of the shaft to a third portion of the shaft.
- 11.16 The catheter of paragraph 11.15, wherein the first and second expandable elements comprise first and second coil springs.
- 11.17 The catheter of paragraph 11.16, wherein the first and second coil springs have different spring constants.
- 11.18 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 11.1 to 11.17, wherein the radiopaque identifier comprises a pair of spaced radiopaque markers, one positioned in alignment with a first end of the working surface and another positioned at a second end of the working surface.
- 11.19 The catheter of any of paragraphs 11.15-11.18, wherein the first and second expandable elements comprise a radiopaque material.
- 11.20 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 11.1 to 11.19, wherein the radiopaque identifier comprises a spring.
- 11.21 The catheter of paragraph 11.2, wherein the expandable element comprises a spring having a variable spring constant.
- 11.22 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 11.1 to 11.21, wherein the shaft comprises a guidewire lumen.
- 11.23 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 11.1 to 11.22, further including a passage adjacent the tip for receiving a guidewire external to the balloon.
- 11.24 The catheter of paragraph 11.2, wherein the first portion is adjacent a distal end of the shaft.
- 11.25 A balloon catheter, comprising: a shaft; a balloon; and an expandable element adapted for expanding in the longitudinal direction connecting the shaft to the balloon.
- 11.26 The catheter of paragraph 11.25, wherein the expandable element is selected from the group consisting of a spring, a bellows, a fiber matrix, or combinations of the foregoing.
- 11.27 The catheter of paragraph 11.25 or 26, wherein the expandable element comprises an encapsulated spring.
- 11.28 A balloon catheter comprising a balloon and an inflation lumen including an expandable element adapted for expanding in the longitudinal direction for providing a fluid to the balloon.
- 11.29 The catheter of any of paragraphs 11.25-11.28, wherein the expandable element comprises a radiopaque material.
- 11.30 The catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 11.1 to 11.29, further including a drug on the balloon.
- 12.1 A balloon catheter, comprising: an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and a balloon having an inflation compartment formed a balloon wall including a working surface, and further including at least one chamber adjacent to the working surface adapted for receiving an identifier for identifying the location of the working surface.
- 12.2 The balloon catheter of paragraph 12.1, wherein the shaft includes a first lumen for supplying a fluid to the chamber.
- 12.3 The balloon catheter of paragraph 12.2, wherein the shaft includes a port between the first lumen and the chamber.
- 12.4 The balloon catheter of paragraph 12.2, wherein the shaft includes a second lumen for supplying a fluid to an interior compartment of the balloon.
- 12.5 The balloon catheter of paragraph 12.4, wherein the shaft includes a port between the second lumen and the interior compartment.
- 12.6 The balloon catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 12.1 to 12.5, wherein the identifier comprises a contrast agent.
- 12.7 The balloon catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 12.1 to 12.6, wherein the contrast agent comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a radiopacifier, polyvinyl acetate, cellulose, a fluid, a liquid, a solid, a powder, or combinations of the foregoing.
- 12.8 The balloon catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 12.1 to 12.7, wherein the chamber comprises a first chamber at a proximal end of the balloon, and further including a second chamber at a distal end of the balloon.
- 12.9 The balloon catheter of paragraph 12.8, wherein the second chamber is adapted for receiving the identifier from a lumen in the shaft in fluid communication with the first chamber via a port.
- 12.10 The balloon catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 12.1 to 12.9, wherein the chamber is generally annular.
- 12.11 The balloon catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 12.1 to 12.10, wherein the chamber is positioned between a transition from a barrel section to a conical section of the balloon and an end of the balloon.
- 12.12 The balloon catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 12.1 to 12.11, wherein the chamber is provided by a film attached to the balloon wall.
- 12.13 The balloon catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 12.1 to 12.12, wherein the chamber is embedded in the balloon wall.
- 12.14 The balloon catheter of any of the foregoing paragraphs 12.1 to 12.13, wherein the chamber is provided by a film extending between the balloon wall and an outer surface of the shaft.
While the disclosure presents certain embodiments to illustrate the inventive concepts, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims. For example, any ranges and numerical values provided in the various embodiments are subject to variation due to tolerances, due to variations in environmental factors and material quality, and due to modifications of the structure and shape of the balloon, and thus can be considered to be approximate and the term “approximately” means that the relevant value can, at minimum, vary because of such factors. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.
Claims (20)
1. A balloon catheter, comprising:
an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and
an inflatable balloon supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including first and second spaced conical end sections and a working surface between the conical sections, the balloon further including at least one radiopaque marking identifying the transition from the conical end section to the working surface;
wherein the marking comprises a first pattern on the conical end sections and further including a second, different pattern on the working surface.
2. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the at least one radiopaque marking comprises a first radiopaque marking at a first transition between the first conical end section and the working surface, and further including a second radiopaque marking at a second transition between the second conical end section and the working surface.
3. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the at least one marking comprises at strip.
4. The catheter of claim 1 , further including a plurality of radiopaque markings in the form of strips.
5. The catheter of claim 4 , wherein the strips extend at least partially in a longitudinal direction between the first and second conical end sections.
6. The catheter of claim 4 , wherein the strips comprise annular bands.
7. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein at least two spaced radiopaque markings are provided on each conical end section, including one adjacent a distal portion and a proximal portion of each conical end section.
8. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the balloon includes a barrel section between the first and second conical end sections, and further including a plurality of radiopaque markings on the barrel section.
10. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the at least one marking is selected from the group consisting of a strip, a brand, a logo, a letter, a number, a word, or combinations thereof.
11. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the identifier comprises a scale.
12. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the balloon includes a drug.
13. The catheter of claim 12 , wherein the drug corresponds to the location of the radiopaque marking.
14. The catheter of claim 12 , wherein the drug corresponds to other than the location of the radiopaque marking.
15. The catheter of claim 12 , wherein the radiopaque marking comprises the drug formulated to include a radiopacifier.
16. A balloon having a drug carried on a working surface of the balloon wall and a radiopaque identifier identifying the location of the drug on the balloon.
17. The balloon of claim 16 , wherein the radiopaque identifier comprises a radiopaque material mixed with a formulation comprising the drug.
18. The balloon of claim 16 , wherein the working surface is along a barrel section of the balloon, and the radiopaque identifier is on one or both cone sections of the balloon.
19. A method of creating a balloon coated with a drug, the location of which is identified by radiopacity, comprising:
applying a radiopaque agent and a drug to the balloon.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the applying step comprising mixing the radiopaque agent with the drug.
21.-22. (canceled)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/383,739 US20150112256A1 (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2013-03-08 | Medical balloon with radiopaque identifier for precisely identifying the working surface |
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US201261608852P | 2012-03-09 | 2012-03-09 | |
NL2008439 | 2012-03-09 | ||
NL2008439 | 2012-03-09 | ||
PCT/US2013/029959 WO2013134688A2 (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2013-03-08 | Medical balloon with radiopaque identifier for precisely identifying the working surface |
US14/383,739 US20150112256A1 (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2013-03-08 | Medical balloon with radiopaque identifier for precisely identifying the working surface |
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PCT/US2013/029959 A-371-Of-International WO2013134688A2 (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2013-03-08 | Medical balloon with radiopaque identifier for precisely identifying the working surface |
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US17/061,664 Continuation US11771873B2 (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2020-10-02 | Medical balloon with radiopaque identifier for precisely identifying the working surface |
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US20150112256A1 true US20150112256A1 (en) | 2015-04-23 |
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US14/383,739 Abandoned US20150112256A1 (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2013-03-08 | Medical balloon with radiopaque identifier for precisely identifying the working surface |
US17/061,664 Active US11771873B2 (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2020-10-02 | Medical balloon with radiopaque identifier for precisely identifying the working surface |
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US17/061,664 Active US11771873B2 (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2020-10-02 | Medical balloon with radiopaque identifier for precisely identifying the working surface |
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US (2) | US20150112256A1 (en) |
EP (2) | EP3427786B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6279494B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20140133846A (en) |
CN (2) | CN104245037A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2013229817B2 (en) |
IN (1) | IN2014DN07116A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2013134688A2 (en) |
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US20150148780A1 (en) * | 2012-03-09 | 2015-05-28 | Clearstream Technologies Limited | Medical balloon with a precisely identifiable portion |
US20160074632A1 (en) * | 2014-09-15 | 2016-03-17 | Biotronik Ag | Balloon catheter with uncoated balloon portion or second uncoated balloon |
US9358042B2 (en) | 2013-03-13 | 2016-06-07 | The Spectranetics Corporation | Expandable member for perforation occlusion |
US20170056626A1 (en) * | 2015-09-01 | 2017-03-02 | Thomas Ischinger | Balloon catheter for treatment of a vessel at a bifurcation |
US10449336B2 (en) | 2015-08-11 | 2019-10-22 | The Spectranetics Corporation | Temporary occlusions balloon devices and methods for preventing blood flow through a vascular perforation |
US10499892B2 (en) | 2015-08-11 | 2019-12-10 | The Spectranetics Corporation | Temporary occlusion balloon devices and methods for preventing blood flow through a vascular perforation |
US20200001054A1 (en) * | 2018-06-29 | 2020-01-02 | Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. | Reinforcement for irrigated electrophysiology balloon catheter with flexible-circuit electrodes |
US20200155226A1 (en) * | 2018-11-19 | 2020-05-21 | Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. | Medical Probe with Wiring Disposed Between Two Expandable Membranes |
US20200269012A1 (en) * | 2016-02-10 | 2020-08-27 | Microvention, Inc. | Intravascular Treatment Site Access |
US11813418B2 (en) | 2019-08-22 | 2023-11-14 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Echogenic balloon dilation catheter and balloon thereof |
US11957852B2 (en) | 2021-01-14 | 2024-04-16 | Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. | Intravascular balloon with slidable central irrigation tube |
US11963715B2 (en) | 2016-11-23 | 2024-04-23 | Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. | Balloon-in-balloon irrigation balloon catheter |
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IN2014DN07123A (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2015-04-24 | Clearstream Tech Ltd | |
WO2013134691A1 (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2013-09-12 | Clearstream Technologies Limited | Medical balloon with radiopaque end portion for precisely identifying a working surface location |
WO2013134695A1 (en) | 2012-03-09 | 2013-09-12 | Clearstream Technologies Limited | Medical balloon including radiopaque insert for precisely identifying a working surface location |
JP2016501655A (en) | 2012-12-31 | 2016-01-21 | クリアストリーム・テクノロジーズ・リミテッド | Catheter with markings to facilitate alignment |
WO2019018255A1 (en) * | 2017-07-17 | 2019-01-24 | Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. | Porous balloon having radiopaque marker |
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Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150148780A1 (en) * | 2012-03-09 | 2015-05-28 | Clearstream Technologies Limited | Medical balloon with a precisely identifiable portion |
US10932785B2 (en) | 2013-03-13 | 2021-03-02 | Spectranetics Llc | Expandable member for perforation occlusion |
US9358042B2 (en) | 2013-03-13 | 2016-06-07 | The Spectranetics Corporation | Expandable member for perforation occlusion |
US20160074632A1 (en) * | 2014-09-15 | 2016-03-17 | Biotronik Ag | Balloon catheter with uncoated balloon portion or second uncoated balloon |
US10449336B2 (en) | 2015-08-11 | 2019-10-22 | The Spectranetics Corporation | Temporary occlusions balloon devices and methods for preventing blood flow through a vascular perforation |
US10499892B2 (en) | 2015-08-11 | 2019-12-10 | The Spectranetics Corporation | Temporary occlusion balloon devices and methods for preventing blood flow through a vascular perforation |
US20170056626A1 (en) * | 2015-09-01 | 2017-03-02 | Thomas Ischinger | Balloon catheter for treatment of a vessel at a bifurcation |
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US20200269012A1 (en) * | 2016-02-10 | 2020-08-27 | Microvention, Inc. | Intravascular Treatment Site Access |
US11963715B2 (en) | 2016-11-23 | 2024-04-23 | Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. | Balloon-in-balloon irrigation balloon catheter |
US20200001054A1 (en) * | 2018-06-29 | 2020-01-02 | Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. | Reinforcement for irrigated electrophysiology balloon catheter with flexible-circuit electrodes |
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US11813418B2 (en) | 2019-08-22 | 2023-11-14 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Echogenic balloon dilation catheter and balloon thereof |
US11957852B2 (en) | 2021-01-14 | 2024-04-16 | Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. | Intravascular balloon with slidable central irrigation tube |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2822635B1 (en) | 2018-09-12 |
CN109224253A (en) | 2019-01-18 |
EP3427786A1 (en) | 2019-01-16 |
EP3427786B1 (en) | 2020-02-26 |
US20210046290A1 (en) | 2021-02-18 |
EP2822635B8 (en) | 2018-11-14 |
US11771873B2 (en) | 2023-10-03 |
WO2013134688A2 (en) | 2013-09-12 |
IN2014DN07116A (en) | 2015-04-24 |
WO2013134688A4 (en) | 2014-01-16 |
KR20140133846A (en) | 2014-11-20 |
AU2013229817A1 (en) | 2014-09-25 |
EP2822635A2 (en) | 2015-01-14 |
WO2013134688A3 (en) | 2013-12-05 |
AU2013229817B2 (en) | 2017-05-11 |
JP6279494B2 (en) | 2018-02-14 |
JP2015509436A (en) | 2015-03-30 |
CN104245037A (en) | 2014-12-24 |
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