EXPANDABLE CATHETER

摘要

The present invention provides an expandable catheter for percutaneous delivery of material. The catheter includes an elongated tube, having an internal passageway extending between proximal and distal ends of the tube, which is configured for radial expansion to enlarge a diameter of at least a portion of the internal passageway. The radial expansion of the elongated tube is responsive to a characteristic of a material being delivered percutaneously through the internal passageway of the elongated tube. For example, the elongated tube may be responsive to a characteristic of the material, such as a pressure of the fluid or some chemical or other agent in the fluid, so as to result in radial expansion of the elongated tube. Radial expansion of the elongated tube can provide for enlargement of a diameter of at least a portion of the internal passageway so as to enable percutaneous delivery of material, such as a contrast agent, at greater flow rates than fixed diameter catheters can safely achieve.