Baxter International Inc.

Nora Pham

Blair D Walker

Mark M Dehdashtian

Henry Nita

Manouchehr Miraki

Brett A Trauthen

Sheryl W Higgins

Greg Welsh

Shawn O'Leary

Kambiz Ghaerzadeh

William Rice

Hey Lee

A balloon catheter includes a flexible small-diameter guide wire provided with an enlarged-diameter distal end portion, and a flexible elongated tubular shaft with at least one dual-function fluid-conducting lumen adapted to both receive the guide wire extending therethrough, and to communicate pressurized inflation fluid to a distal balloon of the catheter. A distal orifice of the catheter communicates with the balloon and is provided with selective valving means for releasably engaging sealingly with the enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire. Apparatus is disclosed for axially moving the guide wire to effect engagement and disengagement of the enlarged distal end portion with the selective valving means of the catheter shaft. A torquer device is also provided by means of which the guide wire may be rotated relative to the catheter shaft for steering of the guide wire along a vascular pathway. A distal end tapered portion of the catheter shaft provides protection for a joint of the guide wire assembly. The tubular shaft of the catheter may extend through the balloon to provide better pushability for the catheter, especially in versions which employ a comparatively limp material for the balloon. Several alternative constructions for the selective valving means of the catheter shaft and for the enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire assembly are presented.

Exchangeable integrated-wire balloon catheter

Growing community of inventors

Lake Forest, CA, United States of America

Nora Pham