Patent ID: 6210319
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: A61B,A61M,B01D

Abstract:
A method for operating an intra-aortic balloon pump system comprisinga balloon pump, an intra-aortic balloon catheter connected to said pump and terminating in a balloon membrane, a water vapor removal system, and a valve system connected between the water vapor removal system and the intra-aortic balloon catheter,said water vapor removal system comprising a perfluorosulfonate ionomer tube communicating with the intra-aortic balloon catheter, said intra-aortic balloon Pump containing a predetermined amount of shuttle gas for inflation and deflation of the balloon membrane,comprising the steps of:(a) pumping a predetermined amount of a shuttle gas through the intra-aortic balloon catheter;(b) opening the valve system so as to allow the shuttle gas to pass into the perfluorosulfonate ionomer tube;(c) inflating the balloon membrane;(d) pumping said predetermined amount of shuttle gas in the opposite direction as in step (a);(c) closing the valve system for a predetermined amount of time so as to trap a predetermined amount of shuttle gas in the perfluorosulfonate ionomer tube;(d) deflating the balloon membrane;(e) repeating steps (a) through (d).