Patent ID: 7160266

Claim:
A method of purging air from a balloon catheter prior to insertion into a patient which includes a tubular member having a tubular wall and proximal and distal ends; an inflatable balloon having a main body portion and proximal and distal portions extending form said main body portion, said proximal and distal portions each being attached to the tubular member; a syringe coupled to the tubular member for applying a liquid within a lumen of the tubular member, a purge aperture extending through the wall of the tubular member at a point proximal to the proximal portion of the inflatable balloon; wherein the method includes the steps of: placing the inflatable balloon within a protective tube to restrict the inflation of the balloon; injecting liquid into the lumen of the tubular member thereby forcing air to be evacuated form the balloon catheter through the purge aperture; removing the protective tube; inflating the balloon following the removal of the protective tube; allowing any air remaining within the balloon to diffuse through the inflated balloon; and submerging the balloon in liquid while deflating the balloon to prevent air from re-entering the tubular member.