Patent ID: 6419657
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: A61F,A61M,Y10T

Abstract:
A flow regulator for regulating flow of an inflation fluid to a balloon catheter, comprising:a housing having a distal end for connection with the balloon catheter, a proximal end with a proximal flow orifice for connection with an inflation device and formed with a control chamber of a predetermined transverse cross-section and configured at the distal end with a distal flow orifice; and a restrictor in the control chamber operable in response to fluid flow in a first flow direction in the control chamber toward the distal flow orifice to cooperate with the distal flow orifice to form a first flow area for flow therethrough at a first flow rate and operative in response to fluid flow in the opposite direction in the chamber to move away from the distal flow orifice to cooperate in forming a second flow area larger than the first flow area for fluid flow in the direction opposite the first flow direction at a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate.