Importance

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Abstract

A vascular dilating device for performing a coronary angioplasty procedure that includes a tubular barrel defining a reservoir for containing a supply of actuating fluid and having a plunger and connected piston reciprocially disposed within the reservoir. The outlet of the reservoir is connected to a valve assembly having an outlet to which a balloon catheter is connected. The valve assembly includes a control valve and a unidirectional valve which are co-operatively associated for directing fluid from the reservoir to the balloon catheter in one direction only when the control valve is disposed in a balloon inflating position and the handle is actuated to advance the plunger. A by-pass is also provided in the valve assembly to reverse the fluid flow from the balloon catheter to the reservoir when the control valve is disposed in a second or balloon deflating position. The handle construction includes a actuating lever member disposed in bearing or driving relationship to the plunger so as to impart a mechanical advantage necessary to develope the desired or optimum pressures. A pressure gage is operatively connected to the valve assembly for indicating the pressure of the fluid acting on the balloon catheter.

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First Claim