Claims
- 1. An insertable balloon pump apparatus comprising
- a balloon having proximal and distal ends,
- a handle,
- an inflation catheter interconnecting the balloon proximal end with the handle,
- an inner tube defining a pressure lumen extending from said handle to said balloon distal end,
- a hollow thrust receiving member rigidly coupled to said balloon distal end and defining a passage through which said pressure lumen communicates with an external region at said balloon distal end,
- a hollow torsion-free thrust imparting member removably insertable through said pressure lumen from said handle to engage said thrust receiving member,
- said thrust receiving member and said thrust imparting member each having a mating protruding end portion such that when engaged, the mating end portions transmit thrust and torsion while cooperating to form a passage between said handle and said external region.
- 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said thrust imparting member couples to a spiral drive screw mechanism located in the handle for causing relative motion between the inflation catheter and the distal end of the balloon.
- 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said spiral drive screw mechanism is operable to turn and advance said thrust imparting member to move said balloon distal end.
- 4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said screw mechanism has a pitch of less than approximately 5 threads per inch.
- 5. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said balloon has a nominal uninflated cross sectional diameter of between two and five centimeters.
- 6. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said spiral drive screw mechanism is operable to move said catheter with respect to the handle.
- 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said thrust imparting member includes a hollow tubular member of a stiffness to transit axial and rotational motion to said balloon, said member having an interior passage for following a catheter guide wire.
- 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a two chamber manifold having a first chamber in fluid communication with the lumen of the inflation catheter and a second chamber communicating with the inner tube.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/253,663, filed Oct. 5, 1988, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (4)
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
253663 |
Oct 1988 |
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