Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A balloon-free dilatation catheter has an elongated flexible sheath which is insertable into an animal body so that its distal end is located at or within a selected portion of an internal passage, such as in a blood vessel. The distal end normally confines an elongated cage-like expander having elongated at least partially resilient expanding elements which store energy when confined within the distal end but expand and bear against the tissue surrounding the selected portion of the internal passage when expelled from the distal end by one or more sleeve-like displacing elements confined in and movable circumferentially and/or longitudinally of the sheath. The expanding elements can carry one or more thermometers and/or the discharge end(s) of one or more conduits for a medication or another flowable substance and/or they can be connected to an energy source, e.g., to cool or heat and/or otherwise treat the tissue. The cage is configurated to effect a predictable expansion of a selected portion of an internal passage when it is expelled beyond the distal end of the sheath.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim