Importance

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Abstract

A low-profile angioplasty catheter is disclosed which is insertable through a guiding catheter. The angioplasty catheter has two balloons. The distal balloon dilates the stenosis. The proximal balloon is separately inflatable and selectively closes the annular passage between the angioplasty catheter and the guiding catheter. The angioplasty catheter has a central lumen with a series of openings allowing fluid communication from the central lumen into the annular passage proximally of the balloon which seals the annular passage. While the first balloon is inflated to dilate the stenosis, blood can be withdrawn from an arterial source through a lumen (or plurality thereof) in the guiding catheter and pumped into the annular passage between the angioplasty catheter and the guiding catheter. The blood then passes through the openings proximal to the proximal balloon into the central lumen of the PTCA catheter and flows beyond the distal tip of the angioplasty catheter to maintain circulation of the patient's blood at a point distal of the stenosis.

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First Claim