| abstract |
A surgical device combines an occlusion balloon to block antegrade flow of blood in the internal carotid artery during an angioplasty procedure with an exchange guidewire to facilitate the insertion of devices for performing the angioplasty procedure. The occlusion balloon/guidewire device comprises a microcatheter with a soft platinum guidewire extending therein. A silicone occlusion balloon is attached to the distal end of the microcatheter. A self-sealing valve at the distal end of the balloon permits the guidewire to extend distally therefrom. A Tuohy-Borst adapter is attached to the proximal end of the microcatheter to permit inflation of the occlusion balloon. A guidewire extension is inserted through the Tuohy-Borst adapter to seal the microcatheter once the balloon has been inflated. The Tuohy-Borst adapter is then removed over the guidewire extension member allowing the microcatheter to be utilized as an exchange guidewire. |