| abstract |
The present invention relates to angioplasty dilatation catheters. Specifically, the perfusion dilatation catheter of the present invention is used in coronary angioplasty, but it is equally applicable to renal, cerebral, and peripheral angioplasties. The catheter is comprised of a long flexible tubular shaft having an expandable balloon affixed near the distal end of the shaft and surrounding the circumference of the shaft. Upon expansion, the balloon's cross-section is circumscribed by the circular perimeter of the target vessel cross-section. The balloon tip has a minimum of two rounded apices, wherein the maximum height of the apices does not exceed the nominal radius of the target vessel, and further wherein multiple radii of the balloon tip cross-section are of lesser radial dimension than the nominal radius of the target vessel. Thus, due to the unique shape and configuration of the balloon, a path for blood to flow past the balloon tip during expansion is formed through the areas of submaximal tip radial dimension. The remainder of the dilatation catheter incorporates conventional catheter features, including at least one lumen. |