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 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A catheter, comprising:
 a catheter body comprising at least one polymeric tubular member; and   a plurality of elongate reinforcing members embedded in a wall of the polymeric tubular member, wherein each elongate reinforcing member of the plurality is comprised of metallic tubing having a longitudinal lumen.   
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the metallic tubing comprises a superelastic alloy. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the superelastic alloy comprises nickel and titanium. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate reinforcing members are woven together to form a multiple strand filament. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate reinforcing members are woven together to form a braid. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein each elongate reinforcing member of the plurality forms a helix. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of elongate reinforcing members is heat-treated to preserved its shape. 
     
     
         9 . A catheter, comprising:
 a catheter body comprising at least one polymeric tubular member having distal and proximal ends; and   a plurality of elongate reinforcing members embedded in a wall of the polymeric tubular member, wherein each elongate reinforcing member of the plurality has a longitudinal lumen, and wherein each elongate reinforcing member of the plurality is fluidly connected to a plenum disposed adjacent at least one of the distal and proximal ends.   
     
     
         10 . The catheter of  claim 9 , wherein the elongate reinforcing members are woven together to form a multiple strand filament. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter of  claim 9 , wherein the elongate reinforcing members are woven together to form a braid. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter of  claim 9 , wherein each elongate reinforcing member of the plurality forms a helix. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the plurality of elongate reinforcing members comprises a hollow ribbon. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter of  claim 9 , wherein the plenum is disposed adjacent the distal end of the at least one polymeric tubular member. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 9 , wherein the plenum is disposed adjacent the proximal end of the at least one polymeric tubular member. 
     
     
         16 . A catheter, comprising:
 a catheter body comprising at least one polymeric tubular member;   a plurality of elongate reinforcing members embedded in a wall of the polymeric tubular member, wherein each elongate reinforcing member of the plurality has a longitudinal lumen; and   a balloon disposed on the catheter body and configured to receive inflation media delivered through the respective longitudinal lumens of the elongate reinforcing members.   
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 15 , wherein the elongate reinforcing members are woven together to form a multiple strand filament. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter of  claim 15 , wherein the elongate reinforcing members are woven together to form a braid. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter of  claim 15 , wherein each elongate reinforcing member of the plurality forms a helix. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of elongate reinforcing members comprises a hollow ribbon.