Abstract:
Angioplasty or valvuloplasty balloon catheters with a ripcord for cutting, ripping, or tearing a balloon can achieve faster deflation times. Methods using such catheters can improve patient outcomes in percutaneous transluminal valvuloplasty and angioplasty.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    In various medical procedures, a clinician introduces a guiding catheter into a body lumen of a patient and advances the catheter through the lumen until the distal end of the catheter comes to rest near a desired location. For instance, in typical percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures, a clinician percutaneously introduces a guiding catheter into a patient&#39;s cardiovascular system through the brachial or femoral artery and advances the catheter until the catheter&#39;s distal tip rests in the ostium of the desired artery. Similarly, in minimally invasive valvuloplasty, a balloon is inserted through the patient&#39;s vasculature until the balloon is positioned to treat (dilate) a heart valve. 
         [0002]    When the valvuloplasty procedure goes as planned, it reestablishes acceptable operation of the valve or prepares the valve region for placement of a prosthetic valve. But complications can arise. For instance, the patient can become distressed needing rapid restoration of blood flow to downstream organs. Such situations call for rapid deflation of the balloon. Also, the balloon-catheter device can become stuck in the target lumen. What is needed is a device that can be rapidly deflated or cut to facilitate its removal from a target lumen or valve while retaining its retractability into a catheter sheath after deflation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present disclosure provides percutaneous balloon angioplasty, venoplasty, or valvuloplasty balloons, balloon catheters, and balloon catheter handles that can accomplish rapid-deflation functionality. 
         [0004]    A typical embodiment encompasses a catheter with a proximally located handle and a distal end with an attached balloon. The catheter has an inflation lumen in fluid communication with the inside of the balloon. A ripcord is attached through the ripcord&#39;s distal end. It attaches to the balloon&#39;s inner surface at one or more attachment points. The ripcord&#39;s proximal end sits near the catheter body&#39;s proximal end. In use, manipulation of the ripcord rapidly deflates the balloon. 
         [0005]    In some embodiments, deflation occurs because the ripcord cuts, rips, or tears the balloon in a controlled manner when the ripcord is pulled proximally. 
         [0006]    In some of these or other embodiments, the balloon wall comprises discrete portions that are weaker than surrounding portions and the ripping, tearing, or cutting occurs within the weaker, discrete, wall portions. 
         [0007]    In some of these or other embodiments, the catheter has an anchor point located on the catheter body, inside and near the balloon&#39;s proximal end. In some embodiments, the balloon has an attachment point located on its inside surface. The attachment point may be distal to the anchor point. In some embodiments, the ripcord attaches to the attachment point and to the anchor point. 
         [0008]    In some of these or other embodiments, the catheter body additionally comprises a ripcord lumen through which the ripcord passes. Sometimes, the ripcord lumen is disposed inside of the catheter body, and sometimes, the ripcord lumen is disposed outside of the catheter body. 
         [0009]    Various embodiments exist in which the balloon is a compliant, non-compliant, or fiber-reinforced balloon. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the balloon is adapted for use in a valvuloplasty procedure having the correct size, shape, and strength to dilate a heart valve. 
         [0011]    The present disclosure provides methods of supplying an invention catheter and manipulating the ripcord to cause a controlled rip, tear, or cut through a portion of the balloon wall. In some of these embodiments, the method has steps of providing an invention catheter, introducing the catheter into a biological lumen, performing a procedure, and then rapidly deflating the balloon by causing a controlled rip, tear, or cut to form through a portion of the balloon wall. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art angioplasty balloon. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a prior art angioplasty balloon delivery system. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic view and  FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a balloon of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a balloon catheter delivery system of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic view and  FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a balloon of the invention comprising an alternative ripcord configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a balloon of the invention in which the ripcord wraps around the catheter&#39;s inner body. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a balloon of the invention comprising two ripcords. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a balloon catheter handle of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a balloon catheter with a ripcord embedded in the balloon wall. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The following describes non-limiting examples that further illustrate the invention. No section titles, including those appearing above, are limitations on the invention, but rather they provide structure to the illustrative descriptions that the specification provides. The features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 
         [0022]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used in this document have the same meanings that one skilled in the art to which the disclosed invention pertains would ascribe to them. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context dearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a fluid” refers to one or more fluids, such as two or more fluids, three or more fluids, etc. Any mention of an element includes that element&#39;s equivalents as known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0023]    The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances the drawings exaggerate or simplify the invention for illustrative purposes. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many possible applications and variations of the present invention based on the following examples of possible embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0024]    The ripcord balloon of this invention facilitates the rapid removal of catheter-balloon combinations from a distressed patient, facilitates the removal of catheter-balloon combinations that have become stuck, out-performs competitive designs (thereby saving time during the procedure), and limits the time that a procedure restricts blood flow to vital organs. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a prior art medical balloon associated with a catheter  120  for use in percutaneous medical procedures. Catheter  120  comprises an elongate body  130  and an expandable balloon  140 . Body  130  has a dosed distal end  131  that is used as a probe for delivering catheter  120  to the target lumen. Body  130 , of course, could have a channel or lumen  150  for receiving a guidewire. At least one lumen, inflation lumen  363 , provides passage for a pressurized fluid into the interior of balloon  140 . Balloon  140  comprises a thin membrane  141  that connects to the external wall  135  of body  130  at tapered distal region  142  and tapered proximal region  143 , both of these regions composing part of balloon  140 . Alternatively, thin membrane  141  is sometimes called balloon wall  900 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a prior art medical balloon  140  mounted on a distal section  133  of body  130  with the proximal section  134  of body  130  terminating at the distal end  211  of a handle  210 . Handle  210  comprises a port  220  that accesses the interior of body  130 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict an embodiment of an invention device. Invention devices pertain to a catheter  120  comprising a body  130 , a handle (not shown) connected to the proximal end (not shown) of body  130 , optionally, a guidewire lumen  150  extending through at least part of body  130 , a balloon  140  mounted near the distal end  131  of body  130 , and an inflation lumen  363  extending from inside of balloon  140  to an exit (not shown) in or near the handle. Those of ordinary skill in the art know well the myriad guidewires suitable for use with those embodiments comprising guidewire lumen  150 . 
         [0028]    Body  130  additionally comprises a ripcord  360 , which can be a flexible, elongate member with a distal end  361  that attaches at an attachment region  370 . Attachment region  370  attaches at an interior surface  344  of balloon  140 .  FIG. 4  shows an embodiment in which a proximal end  362  of ripcord  360  operably connects to handle  210  or passes through handle  210 . 
         [0029]    Ripcord  360  need not extend completely through body  130 . In some embodiments, ripcord  360  passes through the wall of body  130  and exits the patient&#39;s body leaving ripcord proximal end  362  outside of the patient. This is sometimes called an early-exit embodiment. Sometimes ripcord  360  passes through the wall of body  130  proximal of balloon  140 . And sometimes ripcord  360  passes through the wall of body  130  outside of the patient&#39;s body. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict an alternate embodiment of an invention device showing an alternative configuration of ripcord  360 . In this type of embodiment, ripcord  360  runs from the handle of catheter  120 , distally through body  130 , into the interior of balloon  140  or ripcord  360  uses an early-exit embodiment, as described above. Ripcord  360  attaches to interior surface  344  of balloon  140  at attachment region  370  after which distal end  361  of ripcord  360 , while remaining inside of balloon  140 , turns proximally and ends at anchor point  462 . In some embodiments, ripcord  360  interacts with attachment region  370  in a slidable fashion. 
         [0031]    In various embodiments, anchor point  462  sits proximal of attachment region  370 . It can also sit on or at body  130  in some embodiments. Anchor point  462  can be securely fastened anywhere inside of balloon  140  such as proximal to attachment regions  370 . In some embodiments, distal end  361  of ripcord  360  extends directly between anchor point  462  and attachment region  370 . 
         [0032]    In other embodiments, as depicted in  FIG. 6 , the proximal end of ripcord  360  partially or completely wraps around body  130  and extends between anchor point  462  and attachment region  370 . 
         [0033]    An alternative invention embodiment, shown in  FIG. 7 , uses a bifurcated ripcord  360 ′ or two ripcords  360 ′ situated at different attachment regions  370 ,  370 ′. The two ripcords join to a single, elongate member (ripcord  360 ) proximally of attachment regions  370 ,  370 ′. After two ripcords  360 ′ join into ripcord  360 , ripcord  360  extends proximally through body  130  exiting catheter  120  proximal of handle  210 &#39;s proximal end. Or ripcord  360  can extend proximally as in an early-exit embodiment. Alternatively, the ripcord divides into two cords distal of the distal end of ripcord lumen  132 . In various embodiments, ripcords  360 ′ join distally or proximally to the proximal end of balloon  140 . Of course, the two ripcord embodiments can be combined with embodiments using an anchor point and can be wrapped around body  130 , as well, either using an early-exit embodiment or not. 
         [0034]      FIG. 8  depicts handle  210 . In this embodiment, proximal end  362  extends through handle  210 . This is a way to allow ripcord  360  to be manipulated from outside of a patient&#39;s body. 
         [0035]    In these or other embodiments, ripcord  360  runs through ripcord lumen  132 . Ripcord  360  continues on to attachment region  370 . Then ripcord  360  extends proximally to connect at anchor point  462 . In some embodiments, inflation lumen  363  is also used as the ripcord lumen. 
         [0036]      FIG. 9  depicts an invention embodiment in which distal end  361  of ripcord  360  is embedded in balloon wall  900 . This arrangement facilitates control over where the tear occurs and over the tear&#39;s length. Various embodiments exist in which distal end  361  of ripcord  360  is embedded in balloon wall  900  along at least 90-99, 80-99, 70-99, 10-90, 20-90, 30-90, or 40-90 percent of the length of balloon  140 . 
         [0037]    Of course, embodiments exist in which ripcord  360  has various cross-sectional geometries. For instance, the cross-section can be circular, oval, square, rectangular (yielding a ribbon-like ripcord), crescent-shaped, tubular, triangular, or the like. In some embodiments, the cross-section is chosen to provide strength, flexibility, connectability, ease of manufacturing, or any number of other characteristics recognized as important by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0038]    The function of ripcord  360  dictates which materials are suitable for its construction. In some embodiments, materials composing ripcord  360  have one or more of the following characteristics: high enough strength to transmit enough pulling force to the balloon to tear the balloon, high enough strength to attach to the balloon to transmit the pulling force to the balloon, high enough strength to attach to a hand piece, high enough flexibility to track through animal vasculature, low enough degree of stretching in the axial direction to transmit the pulling force to the balloon, etc. 
         [0039]    A variety of materials will meet any of these characteristics. Also, one of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that materials that lack one or more of these characteristics can be treated, constructed, or otherwise modified to overcome that lack. In some embodiments, ripcord  360  comprises a material selected from metals, polysaccharides (such as cotton, flax, linen), polypeptides (such as silk), plastics, glass, ceramics, carbon fibers, or mixtures or combinations of these. 
         [0040]    In these or other embodiments, ripcord  360  comprises any one or any chemical or physical combination of metals, alloys, polymers, oligomers, polysaccharides, and ceramics. In some embodiments, ripcord  360  comprises one or more of ABS/nylons, ABS/polyvinyl chlorides, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrenes, acrylonitriles, alumina fibers, aminosilanes, Aramides, carbon nanotubes, Celcon, ceramic fibers, Dacron, Delrin, ethylene vinyl acetates, ethylene vinyl alcohols, fluorinated ethylene propylenes, fluoropolymers, glycidilsilanes, hydroxysilanes, ionomers, isocyanate silanes, Kevlar, latexes, Mylars, nanoclays, Nylon 11, Nylon 12, Nylon 4/6, Nylon 6, Nylon 6/10, Nylon 6/12, Nylon 6/6, Nylon 6/66, Nylon 6/9, nylons, Pebax 7033, PELLETHANEs, polyacetylenes, polyacrylamides, polyacrylates, polyacrylenesulfides, polyacrylsulfones, polyamides, polyamides, polybutylene terephthalates, polybutylene terephthalates, polycaprolactams, polycaprolactones, polycarbonates, poly-D,L-lactic acids, poly-D-lactic acids, polyester/polyadipates, polyester/polycaprolactones, polyesters, polyether block amides, polyether block esters, polyetheretherketones, polyetherimide, polyetherimides, polyetherketones, polyethersulfones, polyethylene naphthalates, polyethylene terephthalates, polyethylenes, polyimide, polyimides, polyimines, polylactic adds, poly-L-lactic adds, polymenthylpentenes, polyolefin acrylates, polyolefins, polyoxymethylenes, polyphenylene ethers, polyphenylene sulfides, polyphosphazines, polypropylenes, polypyrroles, polysiloxanes, polytetrafluorethylenes, polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyvinylchlorides, polyvinylidene difluorides, rubber, silicones, styrene acrylonitriles, styrenic polymers, or trifluoroethylenes. The polymers can be cross-linked or not, as necessary or desired. 
         [0041]    Any balloon  140  that can benefit from rapid deflation is suitable for use with ripcord  360 . Various ripcord embodiments are suited for high or low compliance balloons, reinforced balloons, fiber-reinforced balloons, dilation balloons, or other types of balloons. In some embodiments, the surface of balloon  140  is embossed with a feature to help control where on balloon  140  the tear starts. In these or other embodiments, the balloon surface is embossed with a feature that helps control the path of the tear. In some reinforced balloons, the materials of the balloon and reinforcement are selected to allow the balloon to tear when pulled by ripcord  360 . For instance, fibers can be embedded in balloon wall  900 . In some embodiments, balloon reinforcement is arranged such that parts of the balloon body can tear when pulled by ripcord  360  while other parts resist tearing. This difference in tear behavior can guide where the tear starts or guide the tear&#39;s path. In some of these embodiments, fibers are embedded in balloon wall  900  or are affixed to a surface of balloon  140  longitudinally oriented. When the ripcord acts at a region on balloon  140  between adjacent fibers, the fibers direct the tear longitudinally and fence it in. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, ripcord  360  is used with a valvuloplasty balloon. Ripcord embodiments can be used on any delivery catheter system consistent with rapid deflation of the balloon. 
         [0043]    In operation, a clinician inserts an invention device into a patient&#39;s vasculature (or other body lumen) percutaneously. After that, the clinician advances catheter  120  through the lumen until fluoroscopy, MRI, ultrasound, or some other visualization method indicates that balloon  140  is positioned as the clinician desires. In some embodiments, advancing catheter  120  uses a guidewire. The clinician next introduces inflation fluid (liquid or gas) through inflation lumen  363  causing balloon  140  to expand. After a time, the clinician deflates balloon  140 . But sometimes deflation occurs too slowly. 
         [0044]    When the clinician desires to rapidly deflate balloon  140 , the clinician activates ripcord  360  by pulling it proximally. This causes ripcord  360  to cause a controlled cut, rip, or tear through a portion of the balloon  140  (balloon wall  900 ) causing it to rapidly deflate. This deflation occurs rapidly, but controllably, and therefore, rapidly restores blood flow (or other fluid flow) through the target lumen or valve. In some embodiments, activation of ripcord  360  causes a controlled helical cut, rip, or tear through about half of the length of balloon  140 . 
         [0045]    After deflation, the clinician must retrieve torn or popped balloon  140 . Therefore, in some embodiments, torn balloon  140  must be retractable into catheter  120  or a sheath on catheter  120 . Such retraction normalizes the shape of balloon  140  to help prevent problems such as injuring the patient&#39;s vasculature that could occur as a clinician retracts catheter  120 . Those embodiments in which about half of the length of balloon  140  is cut retain about half of the length of balloon  140  intact. The intact portion aids in retracting the deflated balloon into catheter  120  or a sheath on catheter  120 . 
         [0046]    Returning to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , balloon  140  can attach to catheter body  130  by any convenient bonding method known in the art. For example, at the proximal and distal ends of balloon  140 , balloon  140  tapers to a cylindrical section approximating the size of body  130  and bonds to body  130  using a bonding agent. “Bonding agents” include suitable adhesives and glues. The adhesive used for fixing balloon  140  to catheter  120  must fix and bond balloon  140  to catheter  120  tightly enough to prevent balloon  140  and catheter  120  from separating. An appropriate adhesive can be selected from commercially available adhesives, particularly commercially available medicinal adhesives such as cyanoacrylate-type adhesives, among others. Alternatively, ultrasonic welding can be used. Any other bonding means as is known in the art for attaching balloon  140  to body  130  may be used in invention embodiments. 
         [0047]    In the present invention, the material of balloon  140  is any material having an appropriate elasticity, appropriate inflatability in the target lumen by fluid fed through the catheter, appropriate disinfectibility by typical disinfection processes, or appropriate strength. In various embodiments of the present invention the balloon material may comprise natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, silicone rubbers, or other elastomers that have previously been used as balloon materials in the prior art. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that materials discovered in the future will perform equally well with those disclosed above. 
         [0048]    The needs of the target vessel dictate the shape and size of balloon  140 . Ordinarily, balloons like balloon  140 , having a cylindrical, cap-like shape as shown in the drawings, are employed. To enable balloon  140 &#39;s insertion into or through small blood vessels, the diameter of balloon  140  in the non-inflated state should be as small as possible. Other balloons that the manufacture has designed for use predominately in larger vessels do not need smaller, non-inflatable diameters. 
         [0049]    Any type of catheter  120  functions with the present invention, so far as it can be inserted through the body to the target lumen. Many suitable catheter materials are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, polyethylene, polyamides, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, acetalized polyvinyl alcohol can be used. Catheters  120  can be prepared from these polymeric materials or other well-known materials according to known processing techniques. 
         [0050]    The device of the present invention is subjected to disinfection according to customary procedures before use. 
         [0051]    The different variations described above combine to form many embodiments. A sampling of those embodiments is set out below. These are examples only and are not meant to limit claim scope. 
         [0052]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord passes through an attachment point and ends at an anchor point and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. In these embodiments, the balloon has discrete portions of the wall that are weaker than the surrounding portions. 
         [0053]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a fiber-reinforced balloon, guidewire lumen, and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord passes through an attachment point and ends at an anchor point and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. In these embodiments, the balloon has discrete portions of the wall that are weaker than the surrounding portions. 
         [0054]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon, a guidewire lumen, and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. In these embodiments, the balloon has discrete portions of the wall that are weaker than the surrounding portions. 
         [0055]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon and a bifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of polysaccharides. In these embodiments, the balloon has discrete portions of the wall that are weaker than the surrounding portions. 
         [0056]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon, a guidewire lumen, and a bifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a metal or alloy. In these embodiments, the balloon has discrete portions of the wall that are weaker than the surrounding portions. 
         [0057]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a fiber-reinforced balloon, a guidewire lumen, and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of polysaccharides. In these embodiments, the balloon has discrete portions of the wall that are weaker than the surrounding portions. 
         [0058]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0059]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon, a guidewire lumen, and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0060]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon, guidewire lumen, and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord passes through an attachment point and ends at an anchor point and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0061]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of polysaccharides. 
         [0062]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon, a guidewire lumen, and a bifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a metal or alloy. 
         [0063]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon and a bifurcated ripcord. The ripcord passes through an attachment point and ends at an anchor point and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of polysaccharides. 
         [0064]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon, guidewire lumen, and a bifurcated ripcord. The ripcord passes through an attachment point and ends at an anchor point and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0065]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon, guidewire lumen, and a ripcord that wraps around the catheter body. The ripcord passes through an attachment point and ends at an anchor point and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0066]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon and a ripcord that wraps around the catheter body. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of polysaccharides. 
         [0067]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon, a guidewire lumen, and a ripcord that wraps around the catheter body. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0068]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon, a guidewire lumen, and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a metal or alloy. 
         [0069]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a fiber-reinforced balloon and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord passes through an attachment point and ends at an anchor point and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of polysaccharides. 
         [0070]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a fiber-reinforced balloon, guidewire lumen, and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord passes through an attachment point and ends at an anchor point and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a metal or alloy. 
         [0071]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a fiber-reinforced balloon, a guidewire lumen, and a bifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0072]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a fiber-reinforced balloon and a bifurcated ripcord. The ripcord passes through an attachment point and ends at an anchor point and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patients body. The ripcord is constructed of polysaccharides. 
         [0073]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a fiber-reinforced balloon and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord passes through an attachment point and ends at an anchor point and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0074]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a fiber-reinforced balloon, guidewire lumen, and a bifurcated ripcord. The distal end of the ripcord is embedded in the balloon wall along 10-90 percent of the length of the balloon and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a metal or alloy. 
         [0075]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a fiber-reinforced balloon, a guidewire lumen, and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0076]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0077]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon and an unbifurcated ripcord. The distal end of the ripcord is embedded in the balloon wall along 10-90 percent of the length of the balloon and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0078]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a fiber-reinforced balloon, a guidewire lumen, and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of polysaccharides. In these embodiments, the balloon has discrete portions of the wall that are weaker than the surrounding portions. 
         [0079]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a fiber-reinforced balloon, a guidewire lumen, and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of polysaccharides. In these embodiments, the balloon has discrete portions of the wall that are weaker than the surrounding portions. 
         [0080]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon, guidewire lumen, and an unbifurcated ripcord. The distal end of the ripcord is embedded in the balloon wall along 20-80 percent of the length of the balloon and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of polysaccharides. 
         [0081]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0082]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0083]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon and an unbifurcated ripcord. The distal end of the ripcord is embedded in the balloon wall along 20-80 percent of the length of the balloon and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0084]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon, guidewire lumen, and a ripcord that wraps around the catheter body. The distal end of the ripcord is embedded in the balloon wall along 20-80 percent of the length of the balloon and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a polymer. 
         [0085]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a fiber-reinforced balloon, a guidewire lumen, and an unbifurcated ripcord. The ripcord attaches to an attachment point and travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of polysaccharides. In these embodiments, the balloon has discrete portions of the wall that are weaker than the surrounding portions. 
         [0086]    Various embodiments have a catheter with a non-compliant balloon and an unbifurcated ripcord. The distal end of the ripcord is embedded in the balloon wall along 40-60 percent of the length of the balloon and proximally travels through a ripcord lumen from the treatment location to outside of the patient&#39;s body. The ripcord is constructed of a metal or alloy. 
         [0087]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the embodiments of this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as fall within the true, intended, explained, disclosed, and understood scope and spirit of this invention&#39;s multitudinous embodiments and alternative descriptions. 
         [0088]    Additionally, various embodiments have been described above. For convenience&#39;s sake, combinations of aspects composing invention embodiments have been listed in such a way that one of ordinary skill in the art may read them exclusive of each other when they are not necessarily intended to be exclusive. But a recitation of an aspect for one embodiment is meant to disclose its use in all embodiments in which that aspect can be incorporated without undue experimentation. In like manner, a recitation of an aspect as composing part of an embodiment is a tacit recognition that a supplementary embodiment exists that specifically excludes that aspect. All patents, test procedures, and other documents cited in this specification are fully incorporated by reference to the extent that this material is consistent with this specification and for all jurisdictions in which such incorporation is permitted. 
         [0089]    Moreover, some embodiments recite ranges. When this is done, it is meant to disclose the ranges as a range, and to disclose each and every point within the range, including end points. For those embodiments that disclose a specific value or condition for an aspect, supplementary embodiments exist that are otherwise identical, but that specifically exclude the value or the conditions for the aspect.