| 摘要 |
A valvuloplasty catheter (10) is described which includes an elongated flexible plastic tube (12) dimensioned so as to allow it to be passed through the vascular system. Affixed to the distal end portion (14) of the tube (12) is an inflatable expander member (32) which is intended to be positioned in the annulus of the valve to be treated. Inflation ports (28, 30) expose the interior of the expander member (32) to the lumen (18) of the tube (12) so that when an inflation fluid is injected, under pressure, at the distal end of the tube, the expander member (32) expands radially outward to spread the valve and free-up its leaflets. The novelty resides in providing first and second inflation ports (28, 30) of differing size so that the expander member (32) inflates so as to create a dogbone effect, tending to stabilize the expander member (32) relative to the valve being treated.
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