Importance

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Abstract

A miniaturized balloon catheter assembly includes a cannula and an inflatable tubular balloon constructed of a silastic tubing detachably mounted on the cannula for performing a surgical procedure in a human vessel in response to pressure therein. In one embodiment, the balloon is detachable mounted with the detachability being responsive to pressure. For example, the balloon elastically grips the cannula and there is a small metallic C-shaped spring mounted about the balloon and cannula. In another embodiment, a valve, such as a pinhole in the silastic material for example, is included in the balloon which opens only after the pressure within the balloon exceeds a predetermined amount. According to a method of the invention, the cannula and the attached balloon are inserted into a small vessel and the balloon is pressurized therethrough. The balloon is partially inflated to allow fluid flow in the vessel to position the balloon at a desired location. The balloon is further inflated to fix the balloon in position against the walls of the vessel. Pressure is thereafter increased in the balloon to activate a desired procedure within the vessel. In the first embodiment the desired procedure is to withdraw the cannula from the affixed balloon as the increased pressure lubricates the connection between the balloon and the cannula. The C-spring and the silastic balloon cooperate to close off the opening into the balloon left by the retracted cannula and thereby leave the balloon in position in the vessel. In the second embodiment, the desired procedure is for the increased pressure to open the pin-hole and disperse a fluid into the vessel from the balloon. There are alternate embodiments for performing the above methods and the methods can be combined.

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First Claim