Centering balloon catheter

摘要

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a catheter for insertion into a vessel of a patient. The catheter has distal and proximal ends and includes an elongated flexible outer shaft and an elongated flexible inner shaft extending through the outer shaft. The inner shaft has a central lumen extending therethrough. The catheter has first and second inflation lumens extending through at least one of the inner and outer shafts. The catheter includes an inflatable outer balloon disposed at its distal end. The outer balloon is in fluid communication with the first inflation lumen for inflation and deflation thereof. The catheter further includes an inflatable inner balloon disposed within the outer balloon. The inner balloon is in fluid communication with the second inflation lumen for inflation and deflation thereof. The inner shaft of the catheter extends through the inner balloon. The inner balloon is a centering balloon and is able to center the distal end of the inner shaft within the vessel once it is inflated. <IMAGE>