Rapidly inflatable balloon catheter and method.

摘要

A catheter (13) having first and second lumens and a balloon (23) adjacent the distal end of the catheter (13), with the first and second lumens extending to the interior of the balloon (23). Air can be purged from the catheter (13) by introducing a purging liquid in series through the first lumen, the balloon and the second lumen. Following purging, an inflation liquid is introduced in parallel through the first and second lumens to rapidly inflate the balloon (23). The balloon (23) is rapidly deflated by discharging the inflation liquid from the balloon (23) in parallel through the first and second lumens.