Importance

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Abstract

To inflate the balloon element on the distal end of a pulmonary artery catheter an improved gas syringe is provided which is both volume and pressure-limited so that the syringe is capable of discharging into the catheter no more than the maximum design gas inlet volume thereof while at the same reducing the maximum attainable pressure within the catheter to a predeterminable level substantially below that reached when a conventional volume-limited syring of the same gas discharge capacity is used. The syringe volume delivery limitation is achieved by forming rearwardly disposed plunger stop members, or a suitable vent opening, in a sidewall portion of the syringe body. The pressure limitation is obtained by forming a pressure absorption zone which defines a substantially inextensible enlargement of the gas-receiving interior of the catheter. In one embodiment of the invention the pressure absorption zone is created in a forward end portion of the syringe body by a hollow stop member positioned therein, or inwardly projecting stop portions formed thereon, which engage and stop the syringe plunger rearwardly of the forward endwall of the syringe body. In an alternate embodiment, the forward plunger stop portion is deleted and the pressure absorption zone is formed externally to the syringe body by a length of tubing interconnected between the syringe outlet and the gas-receiving inlet of the catheter.

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First Claim