Balloon catheter

Abstract

The invention relates to a balloon catheter, in particular for the widening of stents in fenestrations and for T-branch protheses, being provided with a balloon (4), a supply line in the catheter (2) leading to the balloon (4), which allows the balloon (4) to be pressurized, and a central lumen (3) for a guidewire, with the balloon (4) in the expanded state having at least two areas (P, D, M) of different diameter, with these areas merging into one another by forming a step.

Claims

1. Balloon catheter, for TIPS procedures, being provided with a balloon, supply lines in the catheter leading to the balloon, which allow the balloon to be pressurized, and a central lumen for a guidewire, wherein the balloon in its expanded state is subdivided into at least two segments, each segment having a separate supply line for pressurization purposes and wherein the at least two segments of the balloon are of different diameter and longitudinally spaced along a longitudinal axis of the balloon catheter, with these at least two segments merging into one another by forming a step, characterized in that the balloon comprises first and second segments comprising opposing walls that are non-sharing and that the segments are serially connected to each other via individual weld spots located on and between said opposing walls and that the first segment has a spherical-like shape and has a diameter that is enlarged by 50% to 100% relative to the diameter of the second segment.

2. The balloon catheter of claim 1 with a crimped-on stent.

Description

(1) The invention is explained in more detail by way of the enclosed figures, where

(2) FIG. 1: is an overall view of a balloon catheter proposed by the invention;

(3) FIG. 2: shows a sectional view of the balloon catheter depicted in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3: illustrates a second variant of an inventive balloon catheter as a sectional view; and

(5) FIG. 4: is a sectional representation of a double balloon for TIPS applications.

(6) FIG. 5: shows the proximal and distal areas, spot welds, and supply lines of another variation of the balloon catheter.

(7) FIG. 1 shows an inventionally designed balloon catheter 1 with the distinctly widened proximal region P with steep flanks 7 extending towards the catheter and 6 towards distal region D, the relatively slender distal region D, which decreases in steps to the catheter diameter. The catheter 2 leads through the balloon structure 4 and terminates distally of the balloon structure 4.

(8) For use, a stent is crimped onto the balloon catheter, said stent being widened through the expansion of the balloons and placed in a blood vessel. The illustration shows catheter 1 with balloon in expanded state.

(9) FIG. 2 is a sectional representation of the balloon catheter 1 according to FIG. 1 showing catheter 2, a free lumen 3 for a guidewire used for placement of the catheter, and balloon 4.

(10) The balloon 4 is subdivided into the proximal area P, distal area D, middle area M, and terminal area T. As shown by each of the Figures, the balloon segments are serially connected.

(11) The proximal area P is significantly enlarged in comparison with the distal area D. The diameters of the middle area M are reduced in comparison to the diameter of proximal area P, but are still larger than the diameter of distal area D. The transitions from the proximal area P to the middle area M and from the middle area M to the distal area D as well as in the terminal area T are formed by the arrangement of relatively steep flanks 6, 8 and 9. Flank 6 is decisive for the adaptation of a stent to the fenestration of a stent in the main branch or for the adaptation to the vessel wall in the main branch during placement of the stent.

(12) In the terminal area T, the balloon slims down and seals off tightly before the end of catheter 2. The channels which serve to fill the balloons with fluid are conventional and not shown in the drawing.

(13) In FIG. 3 a variant of the inventive double balloon is illustrated in which the balloon 4 is surrounded by an external balloon 5. The external balloon 5 ensures greater safety and, in the event there is a separate expansion via another lumen, allows a more precise and targeted widening and adaptation of a stent to the configuration of the vessel. Otherwise, the balloon 1 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the representation in FIG. 2.

(14) FIG. 4 shows a balloon catheter 1 for TIPS procedures, provided with a proximal balloon 11 of enlarged diameter and a distal balloon 10 of smaller diameter. Both balloons can be expanded separately, as required to carry out TIPS procedures in the liver. Both balloons are connected to each other via adhesive or weld spots 12, so that they form a unit when they are expanded. Not shown are the lumina which are used for the separate filling of the balloons. The figure shows lumen 3 intended to accommodate a guidewire for the placement of the device 1.

(15) In another variation as shown in FIG. 5, the proximal segment P of the balloon (4b) is enlarged by 50% to 100% relative to the distal segment D of the balloon 4a. FIG. 5 also includes spot welds 12a and a supply line 13 for inflation of the proximal segment P of the balloon (4b) and supply line 14 for inflation of the distal segment D of the balloon 4a.

(16) It goes without saying that there are numerous variations in the design of the proximal and distal areas. According to one variant, the proximal area has a more spherical shape. The distal area is shown to be of the same diameter, but it is of course also possible to provide for a further stepping or slimming towards the terminal end of the catheter. The diameter of the distal area, for example, may be reduced by 40% over its length towards the terminal end, and this slimming down can be brought about continuously or in steps.