| abstract |
An intra-aortic balloon designed for percutaneous insertion. An inflatable intra-aortic balloon of reduced diameter, when inflated, has its proximal end secured to a catheter. A stylet extends through said balloon and is anchored in a tip provided at the distal end of the balloon. The stylet extends from said tip through said balloon and through at least a portion of said catheter. A balloon coupling comprised of a "Y" member is provided with a linear bore communicating with said catheter and a branch bore intersecting with said linear through bore. The stylet extends partially into said through bore and said branch bore and has its proximal end coupled to a control knob assembly threadedly engaged with the rear end of said branch-bore and movable when rotated in a first direction to simultaneously twist and elongate the intra-aortic balloon and when rotated in the reverse direction to simultaneously untwist and relieve the elongated condition. The twisting of the control knob, twists the stylet and the tip, causing the balloon to be twisted as it is being lengthened. The lengthening of the balloon prevents the balloon membrane from "doubling up" as it is twisted. The twisting operation significantly reduces the exterior balloon diameter enabling the balloon to fit through a small diameter percutaneous sheath inserted into an artery. The screw threads on the balloon luer are precisely designed to limit the maximum travel preventing an operator from turning the stylet beyond the "wrapped for insertion" position and also preventing the stylet from moving beyond the totally unwrapped position after the balloon is properly placed in the patient. A catheter adapter slidably mounted on the catheter is inserted into a sheath collar which retains the adapter within the collar and provides a blood-tight seal preventing blood from exiting from the sheath. |