Catheter with removable balloon protector and stent delivery system with removable stent protector
View Patent ↗A balloon catheter is provided having an expandable distal portion and balloon protector comprising a first removable sleeve, and an optional second removable (outer) sleeve positioned over the inner sleeve, the second (outer) sleeve having a constrictive relationship with the first (inner) sleeve, said first and second sleeves being removed prior to use of the catheter. The first sleeve may have a variable inner diameter.
1. A medical device comprising:
a catheter comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, a shaft and an expandable member located at the distal portion, said expandable member being constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of said catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state; and
a protector comprising a removable sleeve positioned around the expandable member, said sleeve being formed of a low friction material and further comprising a first end and a second end and having a variable inner diameter, said removable sleeve providing a compressive force on said expandable member, said sleeve including a slit extending from said first end to said second end.
2. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the expandable member comprises a balloon and the distal portion further comprises at least one dam.
3. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve comprises a straight tube.
4. The medical device of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of the sleeve is dimpled.
5. The medical device of claim 3 wherein the entire sleeve is dimpled.
6. The medical device of claim 4 wherein the dimples are round-like.
7. The medical device of claim 4 wherein the dimples are helical grooves.
8. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the first end of the sleeve further comprises a proximal flare.
9. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the slit is a longitudinal slit extending from the first end of the sleeve to the second end of the sleeve.
10. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the slit is a spiral slit extending in a helical manner from the first end of the sleeve to the second end of the sleeve.
11. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the slit extends distally in a helical manner from the first end of the sleeve and defines a proximal spiral region, said sleeve further comprising a distal continuous tubular portion.
12. A medical device comprising:
a catheter comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, a shaft and an expandable member located at the distal portion, said expandable member being constructed and arranged for expanding the outer diameter of said catheter from a contracted state to an expanded state; and a protector comprising a removable sleeve positioned around the expandable member, said sleeve comprising a first end and a second end and having a variable inner diameter, wherein said sleeve has a slit extending therethrough extending distally in a helical manner from the first end of the sleeve and defines a proximal spiral region, said sleeve further comprising a distal continuous tubular portion, said distal continuous tubular portion further comprises a dimpled region and a substantially smooth region.
13. The medical device of claim 12 wherein the dimples are round-like.
14. The medical device of claim 12 wherein the dimples are helical grooves.
15. The medical device of claim 11 wherein the first end of the sleeve further comprises a proximal flare.