Balloon Catheter

Abstract

This is a balloon catheter having at least two lumens. One of the lumens is a large working lumen. The balloon catheter is especially useful as a guide catheter or micro catheter and may be used in a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. In particular, it has value in treating neurovascular embolic strokes in combination with other devices which are delivered to the stroke site through that working lumen. The remainder of the lumens typically are used to inflate and to deflate the balloon.

1 . A method of removing an embolus from a vascular lumen, comprising the steps of:
 (a) introducing a balloon catheter to a position proximal said embolus,   (b) extending a microcatheter from the distal end of said balloon catheter to penetrate the embolus,   (c) extending a clot removal device through the embolus past the microcatheter,   (d) inflating the balloon of said balloon catheter to temporarily occlude the vascular lumen,   (e) withdrawing the microcatheter into the balloon catheter,   (f) withdrawing the clot removal device and the embolus into the balloon catheter,   (g) deflating the balloon of said balloon catheter, and   (h) withdrawing the balloon catheter and embolus.