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Publication Number
US-10463842-B2
Publication Date
2019-11-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
A cage can be positioned around a medical balloon, such as an angioplasty balloon, to assist in a medical procedure. The cage can include a plurality of strips, each extending between a set of rings including first and second rings. As the balloon expands, the first and second rings move closer together and allow the strips to expand outward. The cage may have wedge dissectors on the strips.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a balloon catheter comprising an elongate member with a longitudinal axis, a balloon connected at a distal end, and a cage positioned about the balloon. The cage includes a plurality of strips extending longitudinally along an outer surface of the balloon, where each strip includes a plurality of wedge dissectors spaced apart along the strip by open spaces between adjacent wedge dissectors. The cage includes a plurality of rings configured to secure the plurality of strips to the balloon catheter, with at least a portion of each strip between distal and proximal ends remaining uncovered by and/or unconnected to any ring.
The balloon and cage are configured to have an initial state and an expanded state, and the plurality of strips are configured to move with the balloon as it moves toward the expanded state. At least some of the rings comprise a heat shrink material. Each ring comprises a central aperture and a plurality of holes offset from the central aperture, with a narrowed portion and a wider portion, where the wider portion accommodates each wedge dissector and the narrowed portion accommodates each open space between wedge dissectors.
A further aspect is a method of retrofitting a balloon catheter with a cage by positioning strips around an inflated balloon. The strips include wedge dissectors spaced apart by open spaces, and rings of heat shrink material are advanced over the balloon so that ends of the strips are covered, then the heat shrink material is heated to shrink and secure the strips while at least a portion of each strip between distal and proximal ends remains uncovered by and/or unconnected to any ring of heat shrink material.
Claims Coverage
The consolidated content includes two independent claims, directed to a balloon catheter with a cage and to a method of retrofitting such a balloon catheter. Both independent claims emphasize strip geometry with wedge dissectors separated by open spaces and ring geometry that accommodates both wedge dissectors and open spaces as the balloon transitions between initial and expanded states.
Balloon catheter with wedge-dissector strip cage secured by heat-shrink rings
A balloon catheter having an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis and a balloon at a distal end, with a cage around the balloon. The cage includes plurality of longitudinal strips, each strip including plurality of wedge dissectors spaced apart by open spaces between adjacent wedge dissectors, and a plurality of rings configured to secure the strips, where at least a portion of each strip between distal and proximal ends remains uncovered by and/or unconnected to any ring. At least some rings comprise heat shrink material, and the balloon and cage are configured with an initial state and an expanded state in which the strips move with the balloon.
Ring aperture and offset holes accommodate wedge dissectors and open spaces
Each ring comprises a central aperture and plurality of holes offset from the central aperture, with a narrowed portion and a wider portion. The wider portion accommodates each wedge dissector, and the narrowed portion accommodates each open space between wedge dissectors.
Retrofitting method using wedge-dissector strips and heat-shrink rings
A method of retrofitting a balloon catheter with a cage by positioning a plurality of strips around an inflated balloon. Each strip includes plurality of wedge dissectors spaced apart along the surface by open spaces, and rings of heat shrink material are advanced over the balloon so each end of the strips is covered, then the rings are heated to shrink and secure the strips while at least a portion of each strip between distal and proximal ends remains uncovered by and/or unconnected to any ring of heat shrink material.
Ring central aperture and offset holes with narrowed and wider portions during retrofit
In the retrofitting method, each ring comprises a central aperture and plurality of holes offset from the central aperture, with a narrowed portion and a wider portion. The wider portion accommodates each wedge dissector, and the narrowed portion accommodates each open space between wedge dissectors.
The claim coverage centers on a balloon catheter cage that uses strips with wedge dissectors separated by open spaces, secured by rings that include heat shrink material and central-aperture/offset-hole geometry with narrowed and wider portions to accommodate both wedge dissectors and open spaces. The catheter configuration is tied to an initial state and an expanded state where the strips move with the balloon, and the retrofitting method mirrors the same structural geometry while securing strips by advancing and shrinking heat-shrink rings over the inflated balloon.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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