Expandable device for independently inflating, deflating, supplying contrast media to and monitoring up to two balloon catheters for angioplasty

Abstract

An expandable inflation device for up to two balloon catheters for angioplasty includes a plurality of three port valves controlling flow to two fluid channels each coupled at an outlet to a balloon catheter for angioplasty. In line pressure gauges, which may be removable, monitor pressure of each channel. Each balloon catheter may be inflated and deflated, sequentially inflated, simultaneously inflated, sequentially deflated, simultaneously deflated, inflated to the same pressures, inflated to different pressures, partially deflated, and fully deflated.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to angioplasty, and, more particularly, to an expandable fluid dispensing and inflation device for balloon angioplasty for independently inflating and deflating up to two separate balloons using a single plunger and independently supplying radiopaque contrast medium through up to two catheters.BACKGROUND[0002]Angioplasty entails mechanically widening narrowed or obstructed arteries, such as arteries obstructed from atherosclerosis. An empty and collapsed balloon on a guide wire, known as a balloon catheter, is fed into a vessel to the narrowed location and then inflated to a fixed size using fluid (e.g. water) pressure of about 5 to 30 atmospheres. Typically, a balloon is inflated with sufficient pressure (4-12 atm) to fully expand the stenosis indentation (dumbbell or waist) of the partially inflated balloon. Occasionally, some calcified or highly fibrotic lesions require very high inflation pressures (>14 atm) to expand and eli...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enhances procedural versatility by allowing independent control of balloon pressures, reducing confusion and risk, and enabling the use of radiopaque contrast medium, while minimizing additional cost and complexity by adding the secondary module only when needed.

Problems solved by technology

Overinflation of the balloon increases the risk of artery dissection.

Unfortunately, devices available today do not provide the ability to independently inflate, maintain inflated, monitor pressure in, and deflate each balloon in a kissing balloon procedure.

While effective, such an approach is not without problems.

Managing two separate, but abutting, indeflators in limited available space, with several tubes extending to and from each indeflator, presents challenges to the practitioner and great risk of confusing one indeflator for the other.

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