Venting device for angioplasty apparatus, and angioplasty apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a venting device (1; 101) which can be or is connected to a balloon catheter (2) of an angioplasty apparatus (3), the venting device (1; 101) having an inflation syringe (22), by means of the plunger (22a) of which pressurised fluid (6) can be displaced from a syringe cylinder (22b) of the inflation syringe (22), wherein air (4) can also be sucked from the balloon catheter (2) into the syringe cylinder (22b) and displaced therefrom by means of the plunger (22a). The inflation syringe (22) can be automatically rotated into or is permanently arranged in a first position in which a tip (22e) of the inflation syringe (22) is directed upwards in such a way that, in the first position, an air collection region (26) for the air (4) sucked out of the balloon catheter (2) can be generated or is already generated in the syringe cylinder (22a) of the inflation syringe (22) adjacently to the tip (22e) and directly below the tip. The invention also relates to an angioplasty apparatus (3) having a venting device (1; 101) of this kind.

Description

[0001] Venting device for angioplasty device, and angioplasty device

[0002] Description

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a venting device that can be connected to, or is connected to, a balloon catheter of an angioplasty device, wherein the venting device comprises an inflation syringe by means of whose plunger pressurised fluid can be displaced from a syringe cylinder of the inflation syringe, and wherein air can also be drawn from the balloon catheter into the syringe cylinder and displaced from it by means of the plunger. The venting device serves in particular to draw air out of the balloon catheter and to inflate the balloon catheter. The disclosure is not limited to a balloon catheter for angioplasty and also relates to other medical devices based on the balloon catheter technology. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to an angioplasty device with a venting device.

[0005] Background of the Revelation

[0006] Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure for widening narrowed or blocked blood vessels. A balloon catheter is inserted into the blood vessel, and the vessel is widened by inflating the balloon, a process known as balloon dilation. Angioplasty is typically performed under X-ray guidance. A contrast agent is injected into the blood vessel via the balloon catheter to visualize any narrowing or blockage, as well as the position of the balloon catheter within the vessel.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] In the current art, a manual inflation syringe is used for angioplasty. This syringe allows for two purposes: firstly, by manually rotating a syringe plunger or plunger, a pressure of up to 30 bar can be built up, for example via a thread and a high leverage; and secondly, (without rotation) rapid pressure release can be achieved, for example via a ring or lever. The pressure is then transmitted via a tube to the balloon.

[0009] To prepare for the insertion or use of the balloon catheter, it is usually evacuated as much as possible, i.e., pumped out of air. Firstly, this minimizes the balloon's size during the procedure, and secondly, it prevents the compressible air from causing a jet of fluid against the vessel wall in the event of a leak, which could lead to injury.

[0010] It is known from the prior art that the surgeon performs the venting using the inflation syringe, which is already filled with pressurized fluid, by first manually withdrawing its plunger. The aspirated air and the pressurized fluid in the syringe cylinder are then separated by the surgeon directing the tip or opening of the inflation syringe upwards (in the direction of gravity). After separation, the surgeon can manually switch a three-way stopcock or three-way valve and then reinsert the plunger to expel the aspirated and collected air. The surgeon then manually switches the three-way stopcock or three-way valve again before inserting the balloon catheter and finally inflating the balloon, which has been guided to the constriction, using the pressurized fluid.

[0011] This manual venting is uncomfortable, depends on the experience of the surgeon or physician, and has been shown to often result in some loss of inflation fluid. Manual venting is particularly uncomfortable because the surgeon has to hold the inflation syringe during the process.

[0012] Brief description of the Revelation

[0013] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a venting device and an angioplasty device which avoid the aforementioned disadvantages. This object is achieved with regard to the venting device by the combination of features of claim 1 and with regard to the angioplasty device by the combination of features of claim 15.

[0014] The venting device according to the disclosure is connectable to, or connected to, a balloon catheter of an angioplasty device. The venting device includes an inflation syringe by means of whose plunger pressurised fluid can be displaced from a syringe cylinder. In this respect, the inflation syringe is also associated with the higher-level angioplasty device. Furthermore, air can also be drawn from the balloon catheter into the syringe cylinder and displaced from it again by means of the plunger. The inflation syringe is automatically rotatable into a first position or, alternatively, permanently rotated or fixed in this first position, that is, arranged in this first position. In the first position, one tip of the inflation syringe is directed upwards, in particular against the direction of gravity.with regard to a support plane of the venting device and / or the superior angioplasty device, or the tip is arranged at least such that in the first position in the syringe cylinder of the inflation syringe adjacent to the tip and directly below the tip or adjacent to the tip an air collection area for the air aspirated from the balloon catheter can be created or is already created by extending the plunger.

[0015] The core of the disclosure consists accordingly in the fact that the inflation syringe is rotated or positioned, or rotatable or positionable, in a higher-level device, such as the venting device, or apparatus, such as the angioplasty device, in a position, in particular the first position, such that the air in the inflation syringe, which can also be referred to as the contrast medium syringe, can rise into the area above the pressurized fluid, which can also be referred to as the contrast medium. The inflation syringe is accordingly permanently or firmly positioned / arranged / fixed / aligned / rotated, or automatically positionable / arrangable / alignable / rotatable, in the higher-level device or apparatus with respect to its support plane, in such a way that the air can collect at the top, that is, at the tip of the syringe, which is located at the end of the syringe furthest from the support plane.The inflation syringe need not be oriented exactly against the direction of gravity or at a right angle to the support plane. The first position can also be arranged or oriented at an angle to the direction of gravity or to the support plane, as long as the air collects at the top of the inflation syringe and the pressurized fluid or contrast medium collects at the bottom. The angular range within which this can be achieved also depends on the design and construction of the inflation syringe. According to the disclosure, it is also possible for the inflation syringe to be arranged approximately horizontally or approximately parallel to the support plane. In this case, the tip is eccentric to the longitudinal axis of the inflation syringe and, viewed in the direction of gravity, positioned above it. According to the disclosure, the support plane is understood to be the plane of the device or assembly that rests on a floor or table.For example, the support surface can be defined by a large number of support points or by a flat support surface.

[0016] By permanently fixing the inflation syringe in the first position or by automatically rotating it into the first position and then temporarily holding the inflation syringe in the first position, the surgeon is made able to suction the air from the balloon catheter more easily, as he does not have to hold it in his hands.

[0017] For automatic ram extension, an electronic control unit and an associated electric ram actuator are preferably provided. The ram actuator is coupled to the ram and can be operated bidirectionally in a conveying direction and in a suction direction. The ram actuator is controlled by the control unit. This automation of the venting prevents the loss of hydraulic fluid. This is particularly relevant if force measurement on the ram is provided, e.g., in the form of motor current measurement, and / or if a fluid sensor is provided that can detect a change from suctioned air to escaping hydraulic fluid. Therefore, a particularly preferred embodiment of the venting device has an air connection and such a fluid sensor connected to it.The venting device is designed to automatically evacuate the balloon catheter before it is pressurized with the pressure fluid, in particular a saline solution and / or a contrast agent. Suitable contrast agents include, for example, lopromide, lodixanol, loxaglate, lohexol, lopamidol, lomeprol, lomeron, gadodiamide, or gadolinium. For dilution, the contrast agent is preferably diluted with the saline solution, e.g., 0.9% NaCl. Gadodiamide or gadolinium can also be used undiluted. A mixing ratio of contrast agent to diluent of 1:1 to 1:3, preferably approximately 1:2, is suitable.

[0018] The pressurized fluid and the aspirated air are thus collected together in the syringe barrel of the inflation syringe, at least during the aspiration of the air from the balloon catheter. After a sufficiently long waiting period, an air collection area for the air aspirated from the balloon catheter forms within the syringe barrel. This air collection area borders and is bounded by a pressurized fluid area, also created or located within the syringe barrel, in which the pressurized fluid for pressurizing the balloon catheter is located. In the first position of the inflation syringe, the pressurized fluid area is located above the plunger in the syringe barrel (viewed in the direction of gravity), and the air collection area is located above the pressurized fluid area. In this first position, the tip or opening of the inflation syringe is located at the top (viewed in the direction of gravity).In other words, the pressurized fluid area and the air collection area are located between, on the one hand, the tip or opening and, on the other hand, a support surface of the venting device. In the first position, air is drawn into the syringe cylinder (and thus out of the balloon catheter), or (later) pressurized fluid is displaced from the syringe cylinder (and pumped / delivered into the balloon catheter). During air aspiration, this air can flow in above the pressurized fluid area and, due to its lower specific gravity, collect there.

[0019] From a device and process engineering perspective, it is simple if, in the (unchanged) first position (i.e., without rotating or pivoting the inflation syringe), the air is also expelled from the syringe cylinder of the inflation syringe. The longitudinal axis of the inflation syringe need not be perfectly perpendicular or vertical in the first position. Instead, the longitudinal axis, and thus the inflation syringe, can also be inclined relative to the Earth's vertical gravitational field. To prevent the trapped of extracted air in the area of ​​the tip or opening during displacement, it is particularly preferred in the case of such an inclination if a corresponding truncated cone is formed at the transition between the syringe cylinder and the tip or opening. This truncated cone is known from the prior art. However, the truncated cone should become increasingly pointed depending on the inclination of the inflation syringe.

[0020] If, for example, the longitudinal axis of the inflation syringe is inclined at 30° to the Earth's vertical gravitational field in the first position, then a truncated cone with a slope of 30° is sufficient to prevent air from becoming trapped there. Conversely, the surface of the truncated cone, which defines the air collection area, is then inclined at 60° to the longitudinal axis.

[0021] If the longitudinal axis of the inflation syringe is inclined at 60° to the Earth's vertical gravitational field in the first position, then the truncated cone requires a slope of 60° to prevent air from being trapped. Conversely, the surface of the truncated cone, which defines the air collection area, is then inclined at 30° to the longitudinal axis.

[0022] In one embodiment, in a second position of the inflation syringe within the syringe cylinder, viewed in the direction of gravity, the air collection area is located below the plunger, and the pressurized fluid area is located below the air collection area. In this second position, the tip or opening of the inflation syringe is positioned downwards in the direction of gravity. In other words, the tip or opening of the inflation syringe is located between, on the one hand, the pressurized fluid area and the air collection area, and on the other hand, the support surface of the venting device. In this second position, pressurized fluid can be displaced from the syringe cylinder and pumped / conveyed into the balloon catheter. This prevents previously aspirated air from being displaced from the syringe cylinder and reintroduced into the balloon catheter.

[0023] The support surface of the venting device, mentioned for the optional definition of both positions, can also be the support surface of the entire angioplasty device in question. It is defined (in both cases) for example by a (lower) housing base or by three or four feet of the venting device or angioplasty device. When the venting device or angioplasty device is set up or used as intended, this support surface is horizontal, for example, because the venting device or angioplasty device is placed on a table.

[0024] Advanced training with the second position is particularly convenient and reliable compared to the state-of-the-art manual operation when the inflation syringe is coupled to an electric rotary actuator, which allows the inflation syringe to be automatically pivoted or rotated between the first and second positions. The rotary actuator is also electrically connected to and controlled by the control unit.

[0025] In a further development of the disclosed venting device, the syringe is designed with an eccentric tip. Viewed in the direction of gravity, the tip is located above and / or at the highest point of the syringe volume.

[0026] The syringe body or syringe cylinder can be mounted in a horizontal position or relative to the horizontal or to the support plane via the eccentric connection with a lower inclination (0-45°, preferably 0-15°).

[0027] The eccentric syringe body (i.e., the connection is not centrally located but positioned laterally) can, of course, also be used in all other embodiments. A particularly preferred embodiment of the venting device has a three-way valve with a catheter port, an inflation syringe port, and an air port for introducing air. The valve body of the three-way valve can be automatically switched between a first and a second position by means of an electric valve actuator (e.g., rotatable or slidable). The valve actuator is also electrically connected to and controlled by the control unit.

[0028] If the pressurised fluid is or contains the contrast agent, the inflation syringe connection can be referred to as the contrast agent syringe connection.

[0029] In the first position of the valve body, the catheter port is connected to the inflation syringe port, while the air port is closed. In the second position of the valve body, the inflation syringe port is connected to the air port, while the catheter port is closed. This ensures the reliable functional separation of air aspiration and pressure build-up.

[0030] If a fluid sensor is installed at the air port and electronically connected to the control unit, the approach or arrival of the pressurized fluid at the air port can be detected, and the piston movement can be stopped by the control unit. This prevents pressurized fluid from escaping the air port. Preferably, the three-way valve is only switched by the control unit after the fluid sensor has been triggered.

[0031] In a specific configuration, the air connection is an air collection connection linked to a passive venting syringe. The venting syringe can be a disposable product.

[0032] In another specific design, the air connection is an air outlet that is connected to the environment.

[0033] If a filter is provided at the air outlet, then the ingress of contaminants from the environment into the pressurized fluid can be prevented. This allows the pressurized fluid to be drawn back from the air outlet area and thus reused.

[0034] A semipermeable membrane at the air outlet prevents the pressurized fluid from escaping. This membrane allows extracted air to pass through while retaining the pressurized fluid.

[0035] In one embodiment, the tip or opening of the inflation syringe can be closed off by a simple shut-off valve (in contrast to the three-way valve), and a lockable vent valve is integrated into the plunger of the inflation syringe. This vent valve allows the syringe cylinder, particularly the air collection chamber, to be connected to the environment in the second position of the inflation syringe. Thus, depending on the position of the two valves, air can be expelled through the plunger into the environment in the second position of the inflation syringe, or pressurized fluid can be expelled from the syringe cylinder, particularly the pressurized fluid chamber, through the tip or opening and thereby pumped / delivered into the balloon catheter.

[0036] The angioplasty device according to the disclosure has an inflation syringe and preferably also a balloon catheter, and a venting device that can be connected to or is connected to it. A plunger in the inflation syringe can displace pressurized fluid from a syringe cylinder of the inflation syringe. The inflation syringe is also part of the venting device, because the plunger can also draw air from the balloon catheter into the syringe cylinder and displace it again. An electronic control unit and an electrically connected, bidirectional electric plunger actuator are provided, which is coupled to the plunger. The plunger actuator is controlled by the control unit. This automation of the venting prevents the loss of pressurized fluid. This is particularly important when force measurement on the plunger, for example, is required.a motor current sensor is provided and / or a liquid sensor is provided, which can detect a change from extracted air to escaping pressurized fluid. Therefore, a particularly preferred embodiment of the angioplasty device has an air connection and such a liquid sensor attached to it. Brief description of the figures.

[0037] Figure 1 is an angioplasty device with an integrated venting device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 2 is the angioplasty device with the venting device according to the first embodiment from Figure 1;

[0039] Figure 3 is the angioplasty device with the venting device according to the first embodiment from Figures 1 and 2;

[0040] Figure 4 shows the angioplasty device with the venting device according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3;

[0041] Figure 5 is an angioplasty device with an integrated venting device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 6 is the angioplasty device with the venting device according to the second embodiment from Figure 5;

[0043] Figure 7 is the angioplasty device with the integrated venting device according to the second embodiment from Figures 1 and 2; and

[0044] Figure 8 is the venting device according to a third embodiment for use in the angioplasty device from Figures 1 to 4.

[0045] Description of the implementation examples

[0046] Two embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. Figures 1 to 4 show an embodiment of the venting device 1 according to the disclosure, which is integrated into a higher-level angioplasty device 3. The angioplasty device 3 has an inflation syringe 22, in the syringe cylinder 22b of which a plunger 22a is guided. The plunger 22a is guided by an electric linear plunger actuator 16 along the longitudinal axis 22c of the inflation syringe 22. A three-way valve 8 is arranged at a tip 22e or opening of the inflation syringe 22 and is connected to the inflation syringe 22 via an inflation syringe port 24.

[0047] Furthermore, the three-way valve 8 is connected via a catheter connection 10 to a balloon catheter 2 of the angioplasty device 3, of which only a short section of a tube is shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0048] Finally, the three-way valve 8 is connected via an air port designed as an air collection port 12 to a passive venting syringe 14 designed as a disposable product. A liquid sensor 29 is arranged on the air collection port 12.

[0049] The three-way valve 8 has a valve body that can be moved automatically and depending on the control unit 18 by means of a valve actuator M1. Since, in the illustrated embodiment according to Figures 1 to 4, the valve body is moved in a rotating manner, the valve actuator is designed as an electric motor M1.

[0050] The fully automatic operation of the venting device 1 is made possible by the piston actuator 16 and the electric motor M1. These are controlled by an electronic control unit 18. For this purpose, the control unit 18 also uses the signal from the liquid sensor 29.

[0051] The operation of the first embodiment according to Figures 1 to 4 is explained below:

[0052] In the first operating state as shown in Figure 1, the valve body of the three-way valve 8 is set by the electric motor M1 such that the catheter port 10 is connected to the inflation syringe port 24, while the air collection port 12 is closed. Thus, air 4 from the balloon catheter 2 can be drawn through the three-way valve 8 and the opening of the inflation syringe 22 into an air collection chamber or air collection area 26 of the inflation syringe 22. For this purpose, the plunger 22a is retracted by the plunger actuator 16. The syringe cylinder 22b also contains pressurized fluid 6, which, due to its higher density, always remains below the air collection area 26, i.e., between the air collection area 26 and the plunger 22a. This area is called the pressurized fluid area 27. This position is called the first position.

[0053] In the first embodiment according to Figures 1 to 4, the inflation syringe 22 is not rotatable or pivotable, but always remains in the first position.

[0054] For example, the longitudinal axis 22c of the inflation syringe 22 (as shown) is inclined at approximately 30° to the direction of gravity and thus at approximately 60° to a base plane or support plane 5. Alternatively, the inflation syringe 22 could also be inclined at up to 60° to the direction of gravity and thus at 30° to the base plane or support plane 5. Of course, as an alternative example, it could also be inclined at up to -60° to the direction of gravity and thus at -30° to the base plane or support plane 5.

[0055] In all these positional variants of the first position, it is ensured that the air 4 in the air collection area 26 always collects above the pressurised fluid area 27, with the piston 22a being below these two areas 26, 27.

[0056] In the transition between the syringe cylinder 22b and the tip 22e of the inflation syringe 22, a truncated cone 22d is formed, which limits the air collection area 26 and whose steepness is adapted to the inclination of the inflation syringe 22 in such a way that the tip 22e is always the highest point of the air collection area 26 and / or above the air collection area 26.

[0057] After the air has been largely evacuated from the balloon catheter 2, the movement of the plunger actuator 16 is stopped, and the valve body is rotated by the electric motor M1 in the direction indicated by the arrow, such that the inflation syringe port 24 is now connected to the air collection port 12, while the catheter port 10 is closed, as shown in Figure 2. This allows the plunger 22a to be automatically inserted via the plunger actuator 16, so that the air 4 can be conveyed through the three-way valve 8 into the venting syringe 14. The plunger of the venting syringe 14 is passively pushed out of the syringe cylinder in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0058] As shown in Figure 3, the liquid sensor 29 ensures that only air 4 is inserted into the venting syringe 14 and signals to the control unit 18 as soon as pressurised fluid 6 has arrived at the manifold 12.

[0059] When the liquid sensor 29 detects that pressurised fluid 6 has arrived at the air collection port 12 instead of air 4, the piston actuator 16 is stopped and the valve body of the three-way valve 8 is switched back to the first position (also shown in Figure 1).

[0060] This completes the fully automatic deflation of balloon catheter 2 of the affected angioplasty device, as described in the documentation.

[0061] Now the plunger 22a of the inflation syringe 22 can be inserted further, so that the pressurised fluid 6 is conveyed via the three-way valve 8 to its catheter connection 10 and thus into the balloon catheter 2, as shown in Figure 4.

[0062] Figures 5 to 7 show the second embodiment of the venting device 101. The two most noticeable differences from the first embodiment (according to the preceding figures) are that no passive venting syringe 14 is provided, and that an electric motor M2 is coupled to the syringe cylinder 22b of the inflation syringe 22.

[0063] More precisely, the three-way valve 108 has an air outlet 20 instead of an air manifold, although this does not inherently change the functionality of the three-way valve 108. However, in the second embodiment, the air outlet 20 leads directly to the environment via a filter 28 and preferably via a semipermeable membrane 30. The liquid sensor 29 is located at the air outlet 20. The electric motor M2 is coupled to the syringe cylinder 22b of the inflation syringe 22 in such a way that the syringe, preferably together with the three-way valve 108, can be rotated from the first position shown in Figures 5 and 6 to a so-called second position shown in Figure 7.

[0064] The operation of the second embodiment according to Figures 5 to 7 is explained below:

[0065] In the first operating state according to Figure 5, the valve body of the three-way valve 108 is set by the electric motor M1 such that the catheter port 10 is connected to the inflation syringe port 24, while the air outlet 20 is closed. Thus, air 4 can be drawn from the balloon catheter 2 via the catheter port 10 and the three-way valve 108 and the opening of the inflation syringe 22 into the air collection chamber or air collection area 26.

[0066] The inflation syringe 22 is in the so-called first position shown, in which the longitudinal axis 22c of the inflation syringe 22 is aligned approximately along the direction of gravity and thus inclined at about 90° to a base plane or support plane 5. Alternatively, the inflation syringe 22 could, for example, also be inclined at up to 60° to the direction of gravity and thus at 30° to the base plane or support plane 5, or, as a further example, at up to -60° to the direction of gravity and thus at -30° to the base plane or support plane 5.

[0067] After the air has been largely evacuated from the balloon catheter 2, the movement of the plunger actuator 16 is stopped, and the valve body is moved by the electric motor M1 such that the inflation syringe port 24 is now connected to the air outlet 20, while the catheter port 10 is closed, as shown in Figure 6. This allows the plunger 22a to be inserted via the plunger actuator 16, so that the air 4 can be conveyed via the three-way valve 108 and through the filter 28 and, if applicable, through the optional semipermeable membrane 30. The fluid sensor 29 ensures that only air 4 is conveyed to the filter 28 and the optional semipermeable membrane 30 and signals the control unit 18 as soon as pressurized fluid 6 has arrived at the air outlet 20 or at the filter 28.

[0068] When the fluid sensor 29 detects that pressurised fluid 6 has arrived at the air outlet 20 or at the filter 28, the piston actuator 16 is stopped, and the valve body of the three-way valve 108 is switched back to the first position (also shown in Figure 5).

[0069] This completes the fully automatic deflation of balloon catheter 2 of the affected angioplasty device, as described in the documentation.

[0070] Now the plunger 22a of the inflation syringe 22 can be inserted further, so that the pressurised fluid 6 is now conveyed via the three-way valve 108 to its catheter connection 10 and thus into the balloon catheter 2, in order to widen the (not shown) balloon and thus the constriction in the patient's vessel.

[0071] Previously, the inflation syringe 22 was rotated by the electric motor M2 into the second position shown in Figure 7, in which, viewed in the direction of gravity, the air collection area 26 and the pressurized fluid area 27 are arranged below the plunger 22a in the syringe cylinder 22b. The tip 22e or opening of the inflation syringe 22 is positioned between, on the one hand, the pressurized fluid area 27 and the air collection area 26, and on the other hand, a support surface 5 of the venting device 101.

[0072] This ensures that any residual air 4 (in the upper air collection area 4) collects away from the tip 22e or opening of the inflation syringe 22 and is not pumped back into the balloon catheter 2.

[0073] Figure 8 shows a venting device 201 according to a third embodiment as disclosed. It is intended for use in the angioplasty device 3 with support surface 5 from Figures 1 to 4, wherein, in the illustration according to Figure 8, the control unit 18, the piston actuator 16, the electric motor M1 for the valve body of the three-way valve 108 and the corresponding control and signal lines have been omitted. The three-way valve 108 corresponds to that of the second embodiment.

[0074] The inflation syringe 222 is designed with an eccentric tip 222e. This results in the inflation syringe connection 24 of the three-way valve 108 also being eccentric to the longitudinal axis 22c. Viewed in the direction of gravity, the tip 222e, and thus also the inflation syringe connection 24 of the three-way valve 108, lies above the longitudinal axis 22c of the inflation syringe 222 and coincides with the highest point of the syringe volume or the syringe cylinder 22b. This allows an air collection area to form that is parallel to the longitudinal axis 22c.

[0075] In the operating state shown in Figure 8, the air collection area has just been emptied and shortly afterwards the liquid sensor 29 will respond to confirm this.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis 22c of the syringe 222 is horizontal, and the eccentric tip 222e is arranged parallel to it and at maximum distance from the longitudinal axis 22c.

[0077] The inflation syringe 222 can also be mounted with a lower inclination (0-45°, preferably 0-15°) to the support plane 5 (shown in Figures 1 to 4) by means of the eccentric tip 222e.

[0078] In the third embodiment, in contrast to the second embodiment and in accordance with the first embodiment, it is not necessary to pivot the inflation syringe 222 into the second position.

[0079] In summary, the two preceding embodiments each show a venting device 1; 101; 201 with a higher-level angioplasty device 3, wherein the venting device 1; 101; 201 is designed for the fully automatic aspiration of air 4 from a balloon catheter 2 and for the fully automatic switching to the delivery of pressurized fluid 6 into the balloon catheter 2. For aspiration, the venting device 1; 101; 201 utilizes the inflation syringe 22; 222 of the angioplasty device and furthermore has at least one bidirectional linear electric plunger actuator 16 for the plunger 22a of the inflation syringe 22; 222 and a three-way valve 8; 108.

[0080] In an embodiment not shown, the venting device has a venting valve integrated into the piston 22a instead of the three-way valve 8; 108.

[0081] List of reference signs

[0082] 1; 101; 201 Ventilation device

[0083] 2 balloon catheters

[0084] 3 Angioplasty device

[0085] 4 Air

[0086] 5th support level

[0087] 6 Hydraulic fluid

[0088] 8; 108 Three-way valve

[0089] 10 catheter connection

[0090] 12 Air collection connection

[0091] 14 venting syringe

[0092] 16 Stamp actuator

[0093] 18 Control unit

[0094] 20 Air outlet

[0095] 22; 222 Inflation injection

[0096] 22a Stamp

[0097] 22b Syringe cylinder

[0098] 22c Longitudinal axis

[0099] 22d frustum

[0100] 22e; 222e tip

[0101] 24 Inflation syringe connection

[0102] 26 Air collection area 27 Compressed fluid area

[0103] 28 filters

[0104] 29 Liquid sensor

[0105] 30 semipermeable membrane

[0106] M1 electric valve actuator / electric motor for valve body

[0107] M2 electric motor for inflation syringe

Claims

Claims 1. Venting device (1; 101; 201) which is connectable to or connected with a balloon catheter (2) of an angioplasty device (3), wherein the venting device (1; 101; 201) comprises an inflation syringe (22; 222) by means of whose plunger (22a) pressurised fluid (6) can be displaced from a syringe cylinder (22b) of the inflation syringe (22; 222), and wherein air (4) can also be drawn from the balloon catheter (2) into the syringe cylinder (22b) and displaced from it by means of the plunger (22a), characterized in that the inflation syringe (22; 222) is automatically rotatable into a first position or permanently arranged in this position in which a tip (22e; 222e) of the inflation syringe (22; 222) is directed upwards or is arranged eccentrically above a longitudinal axis (22c) of the inflation syringe (222), such that in the first position in the syringe cylinder (22a) of the inflation syringe (22; 222) adjacent to the tip (22e;222e) and directly below or next to the tip (22e; 222e) an air collection area (26) for the air (4) drawn from the balloon catheter (2) can be created or is already created.; 2. Venting device (1 ; 101 ) according to claim 1 , characterized by an electronic control unit (18) and an associated bidirectional electrical stamp actuator (16) coupled to the stamp (22a).

3. Venting device (1 ; 101 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a longitudinal axis (22c) of the inflation syringe (22) in the first position has an angle of 0° to 60° relative to the perpendicular and / or relative to the vertical and / or relative to the Earth's gravitational field and / or relative to a gravitational direction, and / or wherein the longitudinal axis (22c) of the inflation syringe (22) in the first position has an angle of 90° to 30° relative to a support plane (5) of the venting device (1 ; 101).

4. Venting device (1 ; 101 ) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the air collection area (26) is connected to a pressure fluid area (27) which can also be generated or arranged in the syringe cylinder (22b) borders and is bounded by it, in which the pressurised fluid (6) for pressurised the balloon catheter (2) is arranged, wherein in a first position in the syringe cylinder (22b) viewed in the direction of gravity the pressurised fluid area (27) is arranged above the plunger (22a) and wherein the air collection area (26) is arranged above the pressurised fluid area (27), and / or wherein in the first position the pressurised fluid area (27) and the air collection area (26) are arranged between the tip (22e) or opening and a / the support plane (5) of the venting device (1 ; 101 ).

5. Venting device (101) according to claim 4, characterized in that in a second position of the inflation syringe (22) in the syringe cylinder (22b) viewed in the direction of gravity, the air collection area (26) and the pressurised fluid area (27) are arranged below the plunger (22a), or wherein the tip (22e) or opening of the inflation syringe (22) is arranged between on the one hand the pressurised fluid area (27) and the air collection area (26) and on the other hand the support plane (5).

6. Venting device (101) according to claim 5, characterized in that the inflation syringe (22) is coupled to an electric motor (M2) by which the inflation syringe (22) can be pivoted or rotated between the first position and the second position, wherein the electric motor (M2) is electrically connected to the control unit (18).

7. Venting device (1 ; 101 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a three-way valve (8; 108) having a catheter port (10) and an inflation syringe port (24) and an air port, wherein a valve body of the three-way valve (8; 108) can be automatically switched between a first position and a second position by means of an electric valve actuator (M1 ), and wherein the valve actuator (M1 ) is electrically connected to the control unit (18).

8. Venting device (1 ; 101 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that in the first position of the valve body the catheter connection (10) is connected to the inflation syringe connection (24), while the air connection is shut off. is, and that in the second position of the valve body the inflation syringe connection (24) is connected to the air connection, while the catheter connection (10) is shut off.

9. Venting device (1 ; 101 ) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a liquid sensor (29) is arranged at the air connection.

10. Venting device (1 ) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the air connection is an air collection connection (12) which is connected to a passive venting syringe (14).

11. Ventilation device (101) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the air connection is an air outlet (20) which is connected to the environment.

12. Venting device (101) according to claim 11, characterized in that a filter (28) is provided at the air outlet (20).

13. Venting device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a semipermeable membrane (30) is provided at the air outlet (20).

14. Venting device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the tip (22e) or opening of the inflation syringe (22) can be shut off by a shut-off valve, and that a lockable venting valve is integrated in the plunger (22a) of the inflation syringe (22), via which the syringe cylinder (22b), in particular the air collection area (26) in the second position of the inflation syringe (22), can be connected to the environment.

15. Angioplasty device (3) with a venting device (1 ; 101 ) according to one of the preceding claims.

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