Alvaro I Galindo

US Patent:

52618781, Nov 16, 1993

Filed:

May 19, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/885946

Inventors:

Alvaro Galindo - Tarzana CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

A61M 2900

US Classification:

604 96

Abstract:

A cardiac catheter for use in maintaining the patency of the ductus arteriosus in infants is provided with two inflatable balloons, a distal end balloon and a stent balloon. Each balloon is independently inflatable. The stent is carried temporarily on the stent balloon and is delivered by the catheter to the site of the ductus arteriosus. Expansion of the stent balloon expands the stent and places it at the target site. The stent balloon is confidently and reliably placed in the ductus arteriosus by first inflating the distal end balloon and withdrawing the catheter until abuts the opening of the ductus arteriosus through which it has been previously disposed. When this abutment is realized, the stent balloon is necessarily positioned appropriately within the ductus arteriosus. While maintaining the inflation of the distal end balloon, the stent balloon is inflated and the stent placed. After placement, both the distal end balloon and stent balloon are deflated and the catheter withdrawn.