Patent ID: 6110144
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An apparatus for limiting the pressure and regulating the flow of inflation fluid entering a catheter balloon, comprising:(a) a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port and a bore extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, wherein the bore forms a chamber, adjacent the inlet port, having a chamber diameter and a passageway, adjacent the outlet port, having a smaller diameter than the chamber diameter, the juncture of the passageway and the chamber defining a passageway inlet;(b) a piston longitudinally movable within the chamber having a surface in flow communication with the inlet port;(c) a compression member disposed within the chamber for biasing the piston against a force exerted by pressurized fluid entering the inlet port, such that as the force increases to a predetermined maximum pressure level, the piston moves within the chamber in a direction opposite the compression member;(d) a piston shaft having a proximal end coupled to the piston and a distal end extending toward the passageway inlet, such that when the force of the fluid entering the inlet port exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure level, the piston shaft distal end enters the passageway and creates an annulus within the passageway.