Medtronic Vascular, Inc.

David Gannon

James Hannon

Aram Jamous

Barry O'Connell

Francis Denis McEvoy

Mick Donegan

Joanna Cunniffe

Maria Larkin

Conor McNamara

A catheter may include an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a lumen; a push member mechanically coupled to the proximal end of the elongate body; and a slidable push grip disposed about an outer perimeter of the push member. The slidable push grip is controllably engageable with the push member. When the slidable push grip is in an engaged state with the push member, the slidable push grip transmits an axial force to the push member to enable the push member to transmit the axial force to the elongate body. When the slidable push grip is in a disengaged state with the push member, the slidable push grip is movable axially in at least one direction along a length of the push member while transmitting substantially no axial force to the push member.

Catheter including slidable push grip

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.

Rapid exchange balloon catheter

Growing community of inventors

Galway, Ireland

David Gannon