Liquid filled low profile dilatation catheter

Abstract

Low profile dilatation catheter having an elongate flexible tubular member with proximal and distal extremities and with a flow passage extending therethrough. An inflatable balloon is mounted on the distal extremity of the elongate flexible tubular member so that the balloon has its interior in communication with the flow passage in the tubular member. A flexible tip is secured to the distal extremity of the balloon. A core wire extends through the elongate flexible member and has proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity of the core wire is tapered and extends through the balloon and into the flexible tip. The distal extremity of the core wire is secured to the flexible tip. A rotator is provided for rotating the proximal extremity of the core wire for causing rotation of the flexible tip. Self-venting means is provided for venting the balloon to ambient. An adapter is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongate tubular member. A liquid is supplied to the adapter and the flow passage for inflating and deflating the inflatable balloon.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A low profile dilatation catheter comprising an elongate flexible tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a flow passage extending therethrough, an inflatable balloon having proximal and distal extremities with the proximal extremity of the balloon connected to the distal extremity of the elongate flexible tubular member so that the interior of the balloon is in fluid communication with the flow passage in the tubular member, a flexible tip secured to the distal extremity of the balloon, a core wire having a tapered distal extremity and extending through the balloon and into the flexible tip, means securing the distal extremity of the core wire to the flexible tip, means for rotating the proximal extremity of the core wire for causing rotation of the flexible tip, a passageway between the core wire and .[.the inner diameter of the flexible tip.]. for venting gas from the balloon to ambient without passage of inflation liquid therethrough, and an adapter carried by the proximal extremity of the elongate tubular member which is adapted to supply a liquid to the flow passage for inflating and deflating the inflatable balloon. 
     
     
       2. A catheter as in claim 1 wherein the means for rotating the proximal extremity of the core wire includes means for securing the proximal extremity of the core wire to the proximal extremity of the tubular member so that as the adapter is rotated, the core wire and the tubular member are rotated to provide rotation of the flexible tip. 
     
     
       3. A catheter as in claim 1 wherein said balloon has an inflated diameter of less than approximately two millimeters. 
     
     
       4. A catheter as in claim 3 wherein said flexible tubular member has a diameter of less than approximately 0.020 inch. 
     
     
       5. A catheter as in claim 3 wherein said core wire has a diameter of less than approximately 0.012 inch. 
     
     
       6. A tubular member as in claim 4 wherein said tubular member has a wall thickness of approximately 0.001 inch and an outside diameter of approximately 0.018 inch with an inside diameter of approximately 0.016 inch. 
     
     
       7. A catheter as in claim 1 wherein said passageway is defined by a capillary tube disposed in the distal extremity of the balloon and wherein the core wire extends through the capillary tube. 
     
     
       8. A catheter as in claim 7 wherein the core wire is free to rotate with respect to the distal extremity of the balloon. 
     
     
       9. A catheter as in claim 1 wherein the proximal extremity of the balloon is disposed within the distal extremity of the tubular member. 
     
     
       10. In a balloon dilatation catheter, an elongate flexible tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a flow passage extending therethrough, an inflatable balloon carried by the distal extremity of the tubular member and having its interior in communication with the flow passage, the balloon having a distal extremity, a flexible tip secured to the distal extremity of the balloon, a capillary tube disposed in the distal extremity of the balloon, a core wire extending through the flow passage, the balloon and the capillary tube and means securing the core wire to the flexible tip, the core wire and the capillary tube providing an annular flow passage for the venting of air through the interior of the balloon to ambient when the balloon is filled with a liquid. 
     
     
       11. A catheter as in claim 10 together with means secured to the core wire for rotating the core wire for rotating the flexible tip, the core wire being free to rotate with respect to the distal extremity of the balloon. 
     
     
       12. A catheter as in claim 11 wherein the rotating means includes means for limiting the rotation of the core wire. .Iadd. 
     
     
       13.  A low profile fixed-wire dilatation catheter comprising: a) an elongated catheter body having proximal and distal extremities and a fluid flow passageway extending therethrough;   b) an inflatable balloon on the distal extremity of the catheter body which has a distal end and which has an interior in fluid communication with the fluid flow passageway in the catheter body;   c) a guide member fixed within the catheter which extends through the interior of the balloon and out the distal end thereof and which has a flexible tip mounted on the portion thereof extending out the distal end of the balloon; and   d) means disposed between the distal end of the balloon and the portion of the guide member extending therethrough to allow relative rotation therebetween..Iaddend.   
     
     
       14.  A low profile dilatation catheter comprising: a) an elongated catheter body having proximal and distal extremities and a single lumen extending therethrough;   b) an inflatable balloon on the distal extremity of the catheter body having a distal end and an interior in fluid communication with the single lumen in the catheter body;   c) a guide member which is disposed within the single lumen of the catheter body, which extends through the interior of the balloon and out the distal end thereof and which has a flexible tip mounted on the portion thereof extending out the distal end of the balloon; and   d) means to allow relative rotation between the distal end of the balloon and the guide member.