Patent ID: 8608790
Filing Date: 2013-12-17
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A catheter assembly, comprising: a main catheter shaft including a proximal end and a distal end, the main catheter shaft defining a main guidewire lumen; an inflatable balloon disposed about a portion of the main catheter shaft; a side catheter branch including a proximal end and a distal end, the side catheter branch defining a side guidewire lumen, the proximal end of the side catheter branch coupled to and in fluid communication with the main catheter shaft at a location (P) proximal of the inflatable balloon and the distal end of the side catheter branch coupled to and in fluid communication with the main catheter shaft at a location (D) distal of the inflatable balloon, the side catheter branch including a proximal side catheter segment and a distal side catheter segment, a distal end of the proximal side catheter segment is separated by a gap from a proximal end of the distal side catheter segment, wherein the gap is material-free, wherein each of the proximal and distal side catheter segments are spaced radially from the balloon when inflated along their entire length by a branch balloon coupled to the main catheter shaft such that, when no guidewire is present in the side catheter branch, the proximal and distal side catheter segments are moveable relative to each other and relative to the balloon, wherein the side catheter branch does not include an inflatable balloon; and wherein the catheter assembly is adapted for use with only a single guidewire passing through the side guidewire lumen, the side guidewire lumen defined by a first portion of the main catheter shaft proximal of location (P), the proximal segment of the side catheter branch, the distal segment of the side catheter branch, and a second portion of the main catheter shaft distal of location (D); wherein the catheter assembly is configured such that when the single guidewire is withdrawn from the side guidewire lumen, into the main guidewire lumen proximal of location (P), the guidewire can then be advanced distally through the main guidewire lumen to a position distal of location (D).