DELIVERY CATHETER HAVING EXPANDABLE ELEMENTS

摘要

The invention is a delivery catheter, e.g., a guide catheter, having expandable elements proximate to the distal end of the catheter. Catheters of the invention are easier to place in proximity to an ostium, thereby increasing the efficiency of contrast delivery while reducing the risk of ischemia due to blocked blood supply. The invention additionally directs the flow of a fluid from the catheter, resulting in better performance with less fluid. For example, a catheter of the invention can be used to produce improved fluoroscopic images with less overall contrast. This improvement also decreases the length of time for a procedure, i.e., because of a need to re-contrast.

主权项

1. A delivery catheter comprising:
an elongated member having a proximal connector, a distal luminal opening, and a delivery lumen providing fluid communication between the proximal connector and the distal luminal opening; and an expandable element disposed proximate to the distal luminal opening and adapted to expand to a diameter greater than the diameter of a distal tip of the elongated member.