Patent ID: 8333795
Filing Date: 2012-12-18
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A catheter branch assembly, comprising: (a) a catheter shaft having a distal end portion; (b) a balloon member extending from the distal end portion of the catheter shaft, the balloon member having a main body portion that, when unrestricted, has a generally constant diameter, the main body portion having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an intermediate portion between the distal portion and the proximal portion; (c) a guidewire housing extending through the catheter shaft and the balloon member; and (d) a continuous one-piece sleeve positioned on the balloon member, at least a portion of the sleeve including a plurality of slits formed therein, the slits disposed around the circumference of the sleeve, the sleeve having a distal portion and a proximal portion axially spaced apart along a length of the main body portion of the balloon member, the distal portion and the proximal portion of the sleeve configured to expand while restricting radial expansion of the distal portion and the proximal portion of the main body portion to a first diameter, and the sleeve configured to provide less restriction to radial expansion of the intermediate portion of the main body portion positioned at a location between the axially spaced apart distal and proximal portions of the sleeve such that the intermediate portion of the main body portion expands substantially uniformly about its circumference to a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, wherein the balloon extends proximally beyond a proximal end of the sleeve and distally beyond a distal end of the sleeve.