The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the automatic deaerating and filling of a catheter connected to a blood vessel of a patient with blood, in particular in preparation for hemodialysis, and in particularly by means of a cannulation robot. The invention implements this in particular by the deaerating and filling of a fluid channel fluidly connected to the catheter by means of a deaeration device, by the detecting of the deaerating and/or filling of the fluid channel by a sensor device which generates a measurement signal containing information on the deaerating and/or filling of the fluid channel, and by the controlling of the deaeration device as a function of the measure-ment signal by means of a control device with electrical circuitry so as to achieve the automated deaerating and/or filling of the fluid channel and the catheter.

A balloon guide catheter including a catheter shaft having a main lumen defined therein extending axially therethrough to receive a guidewire therein and an inflation lumen defined axially therein arranged semi-encircling the main lumen. The inflation lumen having an inlet port radially outward from the catheter shaft and an exhaust vent(s) disposed proximate the distal end of the catheter shaft. The exhaust vent(s) being disposed longitudinally through a distal terminating end of the inflation lumen or radially inward in fluid communication with the main lumen. A porous membrane is disposed at the exhaust vent(s) to permit only gas to pass therethrough. Secured about the outer surface proximate the distal end of the catheter shaft and coinciding with the inlet port is a balloon.

A method for conditioning an inflatable balloon of a balloon catheter prior to use inside a patient includes submerging the inflatable balloon in a liquid solution, inflating the inflatable balloon, removing any bubbles on an exterior surface of the inflated, inflatable balloon, deflating the inflatable balloon while maintaining the inflatable balloon submerged in the liquid solution, and retracting the deflated, inflatable balloon into a catheter sheath while maintaining the inflatable balloon submerged in the liquid solution.

A balloon catheter is described, having a reinforced, co-axial, duel lumen design. 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 is described, having a reinforced, co-axial, duel lumen design. 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 dilatation catheter includes a high-pressure balloon component comprising an inner balloon and an outer balloon. An interior of the inner balloon is in fluid communication with a lumen of the catheter for receiving inflation fluid therefrom. The outer balloon defines a separate interior within which the inner balloon is disposed. The outer balloon has a hole in a wall thereof for venting the interior of the outer balloon to ambient environment. Proximal necks of the inner and outer balloons are bonded to an outer shaft of the catheter and distal necks of the inner and outer balloons are bonded to an inner shaft of the catheter. In accordance with embodiments hereof, the interior of the outer balloon is not in fluid communication with the interior of the inner balloon, the lumen of the catheter or any other source of fluid from the catheter.

A balloon catheter is described, having a reinforced, co-axial, duel lumen design. 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.

Vascular access system embodiments can be configured to remove gas and a piercing member from a catheter assembly. In some embodiments, vascular access systems can remove gas and at least a portion of a piercing member concurrently or simultaneously. In some embodiments, vascular access systems can remove gas before removing at least a portion of a piercing member. In several embodiments, a vascular access system can include a first barrel configured to remove gas and a second barrel configured to retract a piercing member.

A balloon guide catheter including a catheter shaft having a main lumen defined therein extending axially therethrough to receive a guidewire therein and an inflation lumen defined axially therein arranged semi-encircling the main lumen. The inflation lumen having an inlet port radially outward from the catheter shaft and an exhaust vent(s) disposed proximate the distal end of the catheter shaft. The exhaust vent(s) being disposed longitudinally through a distal terminating end of the inflation lumen or radially inward in fluid communication with the main lumen. A porous membrane is disposed at the exhaust vent(s) to permit only gas to pass therethrough. Secured about the outer surface proximate the distal end of the catheter shaft and coinciding with the inlet port is a balloon.

Vascular access system embodiments can be configured to remove gas and a piercing member from a catheter assembly. In some embodiments, vascular access systems can remove gas and at least a portion of a piercing member concurrently or simultaneously. In some embodiments, vascular access systems can remove gas before removing at least a portion of a piercing member. In several embodiments, a vascular access system can include a first barrel configured to remove gas and a second barrel configured to retract a piercing member.