Methods and apparatus using branched balloon for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract

A device for treating pulmonary hypertension includes an inflatable balloon structure (), an implantable port (), and a conduit () connecting the balloon () and the implantable port in a sealed manner. The balloon, the port and the conduit are filled with a gas, and the pressure is such that the balloon () is normally inflated but is capable of being compressed during systole. The inflatable balloon () has first and second segments sized to extend into the left branch and the right branch of the pulmonary artery bifurcation respectively. The conduit () may connected in a T-junction to a middle portion of the balloon () or may be bifurcated into first and second branches () which are connected to the first and second balloon segments (), respectively. The device may also have guide tubes opening at the longitudinal ends of the balloon () and guide wires () engaged and capable of sliding in said guide tubes.