C. R. Bard, Inc.

Jeffrey M Kling

John R Fagan

Michael D Barbere

Devices have been made which are balloon catheters, preferably PTCA devices, and which are capable of selectively directing inflation forces against the thicker part of an eccentric arterial obstruction or an off-center plaque deposit. In a first embodiment, a balloon catheter is formed from at least two balloons positioned side-by-side to each other. One balloon is larger in diameter than the other balloon(s). The larger diameter balloon acts as a cushion to the thinner part of a lesion. The small balloon(s) focuses greater inflation force against the thicker part of the lesion. In a second embodiment, a unitary balloon catheter has a plurality of independently inflatable lobes. Inflation forces may be selectively directed depending on which lumen of the balloon catheter is pressurized. Additionally, different lumens can be used for other purposes including an auto-perfusion catheter and monorail applications. The new devices provide a method of opening a constricted region in the cardiovascular system of a patient.

Devices for selectively directing inflation devices

A dilatation balloon having at least one helical groove disposed in at least a portion of the dilating surface of the dilatation balloon is mounted on the distal end of a catheter shaft. Multiple helical grooves may be provided in the dilatation balloon extending parallel to each other or opposite to each other in the dilating surface. Each helical groove has a pitch, width and depth. According to one aspect of the invention, the pitch, width and depth of the helical groove, as well as the number of grooves, are selected to allow perfusion of blood past the dilatation catheter when the dilatation balloon is inflated in a blood vessel. According to another aspect of the invention, the pitch, width, and depth of the helical groove, as well as the number of grooves, are selected so that the dilatation balloon conforms to a tortuous blood vessel and does not straighten the blood vessel during dilation. According to another aspect of the invention, the pitch, width, and depth of the helical groove, as well as the number of grooves, are selected to control the diametrical compliance of the dilatation balloon. The pitch, width, and depth of the helical groove may be selected to provide both conformance to the shape of tortuous blood vessels and diametrical compliance. The helical groove also permits the dilatation balloon to deflate without 'winging', i.e., forming undesirable flat folds that extend outward from the rest of the catheter.

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Tewksbury, MA, United States of America

Jeffrey M Kling