Patent ID: 7048696

Claim:
A valve mechanism for modulating pressure in a balloon or expandable member on or about a guide wire, the valve mechanism comprising; a) an inflation tool, the inflation tool comprising a gripping means, the gripping means comprising a deformable member and a deforming mechanism, the deforming mechanism acting upon the deformable member to cause gripping of the guide wire; an inflating means, the inflating means comprising a charge of fluid, and a means for modulating the pressure of the charge of fluid, and a pierceable barrier to prevent premature leakage of the charge of fluid; and a sealing means; the sealing means comprising a malleable material being suitable for sealing and maintaining pressure in the guide wire, and an insertion rod, the insertion rod facilitating the insertion of the malleable material into a guide wire and; b) a deflation tool, the deflation tool comprising a needle and a handle, the needle being adapted to penetrate and smear the malleable material into an elongated shape to allow pressure relief of the balloon or expandable member, the handle arranged to manipulate the needle.