A balloon wrapping apparatus is disclosed by which a balloon can be accurately positioned and inserted in relation to a pleating section. The balloon wrapping apparatus for wrapping a balloon provided at a distal portion of an elongated shaft includes: a pleating section that forms the balloon with wing shapes; a folding section that folds the wing shapes formed in the balloon along a circumferential direction; a support base that supports a portion other than the distal portion of the shaft, and that makes the distal portion of the shaft insertable into the pleating section and the folding section; and a core metal member to be inserted in the shaft. The core metal member is inserted in the shaft from a distal end position of the balloon to at least the proximal side of a proximal end position of the balloon.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a balloon catheter using a thermosetting resin. The present invention aims to provide an economical method of being capable of very promptly manufacturing a balloon catheter using a thermosetting resin through a continuous process, in which a drying process and a curing process are combined, after release agent application using the curing characteristics of a thermosetting resin.

One embodiment of the present invention discloses a balloon catheter employing a reinforced, co-axial, duel lumen design. In certain embodiments, at least one of the lumens is formed of a multilayer, tubular element in which one of the layers functions, in part, to provide radial reinforcement to the tubular element.

A balloon catheter including a catheter shaft, a balloon and a support assembly. The catheter shaft defines an internal shoulder and carries the balloon. The support assembly includes a first member and a second member. The second member defines opposing, leading and trailing ends, and is arranged over the first member such that the leading end is distal the trailing end. The leading end is free of direct physical attachment to the first member. The support assembly extends within a lumen of the catheter shaft and the leading end bears against the internal shoulder. A pushing force applied at a proximal region of the catheter shaft is transferred onto the internal shoulder via the support assembly. The support assembly is simple and inexpensive. Further, the leading end of the second member is transversely moveable relative to the first member, thereby minimizing possible kinking of the first member.

A balloon catheter includes a shaft, a balloon made of an expandable membrane, a flexible substrate, one or more electrodes, and one or more radiopaque flags. The shaft is configured for insertion into a heart of a patient. The balloon is fitted at a distal end of the shaft. The flexible substrate is disposed on the membrane. The one or more electrodes are disposed over the flexible substrate and have a fishbone configuration. The one or more radiopaque flags are coupled to the expandable membrane, wherein the one or more radiopaque flags include a serpentine pattern so that the radiopaque flags fold in conformance with flexible substrate as the expandable membrane is collapsed into a compressed or folded configuration.

In various embodiments, a device is provided comprising a balloon configured to expand to an expanded state in response to introduction of a fluid at a first pressure, wherein the fluid perfuses through the balloon above a second pressure, the second pressure being the same or greater than the first pressure. In various embodiments, a method comprising fabricating a balloon configured to expand to an expanded state in response to introduction of a fluid at a first pressure, wherein the fluid perfuses through the balloon above a second pressure, the second pressure being at or greater than the first pressure, disposing the balloon on an elongate member having a lumen, placing the lumen in fluid communication with an interior volume of the balloon.

An apparatus includes a catheter having a balloon including at least one first radiopaque marking. A guidewire guides the balloon to the treatment area, and includes at least one second radiopaque marking adapted for corresponding to the at least one first radiopaque marking of the balloon when positioned at the treatment area. Related aspects and methods are disclosed.

A method may include accessing an artery in communication with an ophthalmic artery of a subject, and advancing a microcatheter along the accessed artery so as to align a distal end of the microcatheter with an ostium of the ophthalmic artery, wherein the microcatheter includes a lumen having a guidewire positioned therein. In addition, the method includes proximally withdrawing the guidewire relative to the microcatheter so as to enable a distal portion of the microcatheter to assume a curved relaxed configuration, and cannulating the ostium with the distal portion of the microcatheter when the distal portion is in the curved relaxed configuration.

A heart vent catheter includes an elongate, flexible tube that defines a first passageway. The catheter has a distal end, a central portion, and a proximal end. A balloon is included as part of the distal end and surrounds at least a portion of the tube. A plurality of first openings are formed in the tube adjacent the balloon on the forwardmost side of the balloon. A plurality of second openings can be formed in the tube adjacent the balloon on the proximal side of the balloon. After the distal end has been inserted into a desired part of a patient's heart, such as the left ventricle, the balloon can be inflated so as to engage a part of the heart such as the mitral valve and thereby prevent undesired withdrawal of the catheter. The proximal end includes a formation that can be connected to a vacuum source. The openings in the tube in the distal end permit blood, other fluid, debris and/or air to be withdrawn from the heart through the first passageway under suction. After the surgical procedure has been completed, the balloon can be collapsed and the catheter can be withdrawn from the heart.

One embodiment of the present invention discloses a balloon catheter employing a reinforced, co-axial, duel lumen design. In certain embodiments, at least one of the lumens is formed of a multilayer, tubular element in which one of the layers functions, in part, to provide radial reinforcement to the tubular element.