Patent ID: 7468027

Claim:
A method for increasing cerebral blood flow, comprising the steps of: providing an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen therebetween, and an elongate non-spherical balloon approximately 3-6 cm in length mounted on the distal end of the elongate tubular member and communicating with the lumen, the balloon having a compliance of approximately 0.3-1.25 mm per psi and configured such that it has an initial wrinkle-free diameter of approximately 10-15 mm, and thereafter expands upon inflation, and the elongated tubular member and the balloon being configured for placement in the descending aorta downstream from the takeoff of the brachiocephalic artery; inserting the elongate tubular member into the descending aorta; locating the balloon downstream from the takeoff of the brachiocephalic artery in the descending aorta; and expanding the balloon to at least partially obstruct blood flow in the descending aorta.