Patent ID: 7207971

Claim:
A pressure relief mechanism for use with a balloon catheter, the pressure relief mechanism comprising: an inflation device including a plunger connected to a threaded shaft; an engagement mechanism having threads corresponding to threads on the threaded shaft, wherein the engagement mechanism is disposed with respect to the threaded shaft so that, when the engagement mechanism is in a first position, threads on the engagement mechanism threadably engage threads of the threaded shaft so that movement of the plunger requires twisting the threaded shaft, and when the engagement mechanism is in a second position, threads on the engagement mechanism are disengaged with threads of the threaded shaft so that movement of the plunger does nor require twisting the threaded shaft; a lever for controlling whether the engagement mechanism is in the first position or the second position; wherein the lever pivots about a pivot point disposed adjacent the engagement mechanism; wherein the lever further comprises an opening proximate the pivot point, the opening shaped to include a first notch and a second notch, the first notch being located proximally of the second notch; and wherein the engagement mechanism includes one or more springs biased to hold the engagement mechanism in the first position.