Valvuloplasty Catheter

Abstract

The present invention provides an aortic valvuloplasty catheter which, in one preferred embodiment, has a tapered distal balloon segment that anchors within the left ventricle outflow track of the patient's heart and a rounded proximal segment which conforms to the aortic sinuses forcing the valve leaflets open. In addition, this embodiment of the valvuloplasty catheter includes a fiber-based balloon membrane, a distal pigtail end hole catheter tip, and a catheter sheath.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for dilating heart valve leaflets comprising:
 providing a catheter having a balloon; said balloon having a proximal section and a distal section;   inflating said balloon to a first pressure in which said distal section engages a ventricle outflow tract while maintaining said proximal section in a non-fully expanded configuration;   positioning said distal section upstream and adjacent to said valve leaflets so as to prevent migration of said balloon;   dilating heart valve leaflets with said proximal section by further inflating said balloon to a second pressure higher than said first pressure.