| abstract |
This is a balloon catheter having at least two lumens. One of the lumens is a large working lumen. The balloon catheter is especially useful as a guide catheter and may be used in a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. In particular, it has value in treating neurovascular embolic strokes in combination with other devices which are delivered to the stroke site through that working lumen. The remainder of the lumens typically are used to inflate and to deflate the balloon. It is highly preferable that the balloon or inflatable member be situated in a recess in the outer wall of the inventive catheter. Additionally, the distal end of the catheter past the balloon is preferably tapered. The catheter has a very low profile as compared to other catheters of the neurovascular balloon catheter genre. It may include other features such as variable stiffness along the axis of the device and anti-kinking components. The balloon is preferably compliant in nature. n When intended for use in treating embolic stroke, the catheter may be a component of a kit including a foreign body retriever. Further, amongst other procedures, the invention includes methods of temporarily blocking a vascular lumen, of removing neurovascular or peripheral emboli. Other procedures, where diagnosis or treatment is needed in a vascular space and a large working lumen is desired, are suitable procedures for the balloon catheter. |