Patent ID: 7896840
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A balloon catheter, the balloon catheter comprising: an inner shaft, a balloon and at least one biasing member, the inner shaft comprising a balloon region about which the balloon is positioned; the balloon comprising an inner surface and having an unexpanded state, an expanded state, and an intermediate expanded state, the balloon having a first configuration in the expanded state and a second configuration in the intermediate expanded state, the first configuration being different than the second configuration, the second configuration being a non-round shaped configuration; each biasing member positioned about the balloon region of the inner shaft between the inner shaft and the balloon, a portion of each biasing member engaged to the balloon region of the inner shaft, each biasing member made from a shape memory material, each biasing member having an unexpanded state and an expanded state, each biasing member being in the unexpanded state when the balloon is in the unexpanded state, each biasing member being in the expanded state when the balloon is in the expanded state and when the balloon is in the intermediate expanded state; when the balloon is in the intermediate expanded state, portions of the balloon are supported by the at least one biasing member and portions of the balloon are unsupported by the at least one biasing member.