FLOW REGULATION VALVE FOR CONTROLLING INFLATION RATE OF A BALLOON DEPLOYING A SCAFFOLD

摘要

An apparatus and method for controlling inflation pressure, pressurization rate, and volumetric flow rate of a balloon during deployment of a stent or scaffold is disclosed.

主权项

1. A flow regulator for regulating flow of an inflation fluid to a balloon catheter, comprising:
a valve body enclosing a control chamber comprising a passageway for fluid flow; a distal end of the valve body with a distal flow orifice for connection with the balloon catheter, a proximal end of the valve body with a proximal flow orifice for connection with a catheter in fluid communication an inflation device, a slidable restrictor body positioned within the control chamber to allow fluid flow distally or proximally through the restrictor body; a valve seat positioned distal to the restrictor body comprising a valve seat orifice which allows fluid to flow out of the distal flow orifice, wherein the slidable restrictor body is operable to slide distally in response to fluid flow in the distal direction toward the valve seat during inflation of the balloon, wherein as a distal end of the restrictor body approaches the valve seat they cooperate to increase restriction to fluid flow which controls the pressurization rate of the balloon to within a specified range.