| abstract |
An intra-aortic balloon pump includes a balloon, a catheter having a relatively small diameter lumen and an extender having a relatively large diameter lumen connected in series. A valve is positioned in the extender adjacent the end of the extender connected to the catheter. The valve enables the extender to be pressurized with a working gas prior to inflation of the balloon and to be evacuated prior to deflation of the balloon. A second valve adjacent the opposite end of the extender permits the intra-aortic balloon pump to commence a pre-inflation step or a pre-deflation step without affecting the pressure in the extender. Separate positive pressure and negative pressure extenders may be provided to reduce the movement of the working gas during inflation and deflation cycles, thereby increasing pneumatic efficiency. |