Patent ID: 8025638
Filing Date: 2011-09-27
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A balloon catheter which comprises: (i) a proximally-disposed connecting member comprising a fluid inlet for introducing a fluid, said fluid inlet having a lumen, a fluid outlet for discharging the fluid, and an energy inlet for introducing energy; (ii) an apparatus for introducing the fluid into the fluid inlet; (iii) a balloon; (iv) a catheter shaft comprising a lumen for introducing the fluid into the balloon and a lumen for discharging the fluid from the balloon; (v) a heat-generating member; (vi) a temperature sensor; and (vii) a means for detecting pressure, wherein the proximally-disposed connecting member and a proximal portion of the catheter shaft are connected to each other, and wherein a distal portion of the catheter shaft and a proximal portion of the balloon are connected to each other, wherein the heat-generating member is in contact with the fluid in a distal portion of the catheter shaft, wherein the energy is a laser beam which is introduced into the catheter shaft from the energy inlet via an optical fiber, wherein the heat-generating member is operable to absorb the laser beam and convert the energy of the laser beam into heat, whereby the fluid is heated immediately before being introduced into the balloon, wherein the temperature sensor is disposed inside the balloon or at the catheter shaft at a distal position from the position of the heat-generating member, for control of the heat generating member while the fluid is flowing, wherein the means for detecting pressure is operable to control pressure in the balloon, as the balloon is expanded, by applying pressure with an adjustment of degrees of opening of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet or the pressure of the fluid that is introduced, whereby a stenosis portion of a living organ into which the balloon is inserted is expanded, while the pressure in the balloon is controlled, wherein the fluid at a low temperature is introduced into the fluid inlet, and the fluid flows through the heat-generating member and thereafter the fluid flows through an inside of the balloon and is discharged from the fluid outlet, and wherein the fluid flows into the balloon from a time when introducing the fluid at the low temperature begins to a time when the laser beam is switched-off.