Patent ID: 6033380
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
An improved dilation balloon catheter for use in dilation therapy, wherein the balloon catheter is inserted into a blood vessel of a patient and alternately placed into an inflated condition and a deflated condition within the blood vessel by an operator from a remote location, comprising:elongated catheter terminating in a distal end portion, the catheter having a shaft of predetermined diameter and a given circumference, said catheter including an inflation lumen extending through said catheter and terminating in an inflation port near said distal end,said catheter further including an inflatable dilation balloon disposed on said catheter shaft near said distal end portion thereof, the balloon having a generally cylindrical balloon body portion with two opposing annular transition portions between said cylindrical body portion and two opposing ends, said cylindrical body portion having a first preselected diameter when said balloon is in said inflated condition, two catheter securement portions adjoining said balloon body portion at said opposing ends thereof, the catheter securement portions having a diameter smaller than that of said balloon body portion at said first preselected diameter, said catheter securement portions being affixed to said catheter shaft on opposite sides of said inflation port,said balloon body portion including six pleats spaced at circumferential intervals around said balloon body portion when said balloon is in said deflated condition, said balloon having a second preselected diameter in said deflated condition that is less than said first preselected diameter,each of said balloon pleats defining corresponding wings of said balloon in said deflated condition, each of said wings extending the full length of the balloon body between said transition portions,each of said wings having an end tip spaced apart from said catheter shaft, said wings further each having a width defined between said wing end tip and said catheter shaft, andsaid balloon having a blood vessel insertion condition at which said balloon wings are wrapped around said catheter shaft, said balloon wing widths being such that each wing overlaps an adjoining balloon wing when said wings are wrapped around said catheter shaft at said blood vessel insertion condition.