Patent ID: 6458096
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A balloon catheter assembly comprising:a catheter body having, an exterior surface, a lumen extending from a proximal end of the body through at least a portion of the length thereof, and a fluid flow channel provided in the catheter body through which fluid is discharged from the lumen, the flow channel having an inner end and an outer end; a balloon provided on the catheter body, the balloon having a distal end, a proximal end and being expandable between a retracted state and an expanded state in response to a positive fluid pressure differential between the interior of the lumen and the exterior of the balloon, the balloon being positioned so that, in the retracted state, the balloon surrounds and substantially seals the inner end of the flow channel to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough and in the expanded state, the balloon being expanded so that it no longer seals the inner end of the flow channel, thereby permitting the flow of fluid therethrough; and a balloon inflation aperture fluidly interconnecting the lumen and the balloon.