Extended-tip angioplasty device and method

Abstract

Disclosed is an angioplasty balloon catheter and method of use, said angioplasty balloon catheter includes an elongated tip end with physical characteristics nearly identical to a standard angiographic diagnostic catheter. The elongated tip end extends approximately between 2 cm to 75 cm beyond a distal end of a balloon, depending upon embodiments. The tip of the elongated tip end may be angled or straight depending upon embodiments and may or may not have a plurality of side holes in addition to an end hole depending on embodiments. The elongated tip end permits the angioplasty balloon catheter to tract more easily across tortuous or markedly angulated segments of a dialysis graft or fistula, minimizing complications that can result with currently available devices. If angulated, the elongated tip end also enables a user to selectively catheterize an artery without needing a separate diagnostic catheter to do so, and enable tracking and cornering across sharply angulated vessel segments. Whether with an angled or straight distal catheter portion, the angioplasty balloon catheter disclosed herein allows the user to perform angioplasty of an inflow segment of a dialysis graft or fistula and then perform post angioplasty angiographic imaging without the need to exchange the angioplasty balloon catheter for a diagnostic catheter, advance the balloon catheter into the native artery, or perform a blowback angiographic run, thereby improving safety and reducing procedure time.