Focalized intraluminal balloons

Abstract

Disclosed is a focal balloon having at least one reference zone and a focal zone. In one embodiment, the reference zone and focal zone are inflatable to a first generally cylindrical profile at a first pressure. At a second, greater pressure, the focal section expands to a second, greater diameter, while the reference zone remains substantially at the first diameter. In an alternate embodiment, the focal zone and the reference zone are inflatable to their respective predetermined diameters at the inflation pressure, in the absence of constricting lesions or anatomical structures. Multiple lobed and drug delivery embodiments are also disclosed.

Description

[0001] The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08 / 742,437 filed on Oct. 30, 1996, which is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 08 / 640,533, which is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 08 / 572,783, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to catheters for insertion into a body lumen. More particularly, the present invention relates to “focal” balloon dilatation catheters for use in the vascular system. As used herein, “focal” balloons are balloons which focus or concentrate expansive energy at one or more predetermined regions along the surface of the balloon. [0003] Prior art vascular dilatation balloons on typical dilatation catheters tend to fall into one of two broad classes. Most are considered noncompliant balloons, formed from a generally nondistensible material such as polyethylene. The perceived advantage of the nonco...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

One difficulty with compliant balloons, however, is that inflation within a difficult lesion can cause the balloon to inflate around the plaque to produce a generally hourglass-shaped inflated profile.

This can result in damage to the native vessel adjacent the obstruction, while at the same time failing to sufficiently alleviate the stenosis.

However, the clinician has no effective way to assess the actual inflated diameter of the balloon in vivo based upon the unconstrained in vitro balloon specifications.

In applications where a relatively accurate inflated diameter is desired, such as in certain dilatations or in the implantation of tubular stents, the clinician using prior dilatation balloons thus may not have enough information about the dilatation characteristics of a particular lesion to optimize the dilatation or stent implantation procedure.

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