Abstract: A measuring balloon has an inner bulbous balloon formed from a non-compliant or semi-compliant material and has a central smaller diameter inner waist and two larger diameter bulbs on each side of the inner waist. A compliant outer waist bladder is located on the outside of the inner bulbous balloon adjacent to the inner waist and is inflated via a separate inflation lumen. The inner balloon is inflated at a higher pressure to dilate stenotic aortic valve leaflets, and provide alignment and positioning of the measuring balloon across the aortic annulus. The bladder waist is inflated to a lower pressure to make contact with the aortic valve annulus. Marker bands positioned on the outside of the measuring balloon provide determination of annulus diameter and ovality.

Abstract: A valvuloplasty catheter has a dog-bone shaped balloon with semi-compliant smaller diameter waist and non-compliant larger diameter bulbous end regions. The balloon centers across the valve with the waist adjacent to the annulus. One bulbous region serves to hyperextend the valve leaflets and the other assists in stabilizing the balloon position to reduce migration. The semi-compliant waist increases in diameter as fluid enters the balloon until it comes into contact with the valve annulus. The pressure within the balloon per unit of volume delivery has a greater slope after contact with the annulus than before resulting in a change in slope for the pressure versus volume curve. The diameter of the balloon and annulus are determined at this inflection point when the balloon contacts the annulus.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is used for dilating tubular members of the body such as dilating stenotic aortic valve leaflets found in the aortic root, and measuring the shape and dimensions of the annulus. The balloon has two larger diameter bulbous regions; one is positioned in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and the other in the aortic sinus; a smaller diameter waist region is positioned across the aortic annulus. During inflation of the balloon, the balloon waist expands in diameter until it comes into contact with the aortic annulus. The balloon pressure and inflation volume is monitored during inflation so that an inflection point in the dP/dV curve is seen at the point of contact of the waist with the annulus. Radiopaque rings and/or marker bands in the device allow the size and orientation of the elliptical annulus to be calculated.

Abstract: A device is described for crossing the atrial septum to properly size a valve annulus for treatment or replacement, having a catheter with an expandable braided tubular structure attached at its distal end. The proximal and distal end regions of the braided tube have an open structure to allow blood flow to pass freely through the gaps or spaces between the braided fibers. The lumen within the tube includes a temporary, artificial valve that acts similar to a native valve, allowing blood to flow in one direction and preventing blood flow in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aortic valvuloplasty catheter which, in one preferred embodiment, has a tapered distal balloon segment that anchors within the left ventricle outflow track of the patient's heart and a rounded proximal segment which conforms to the aortic sinuses forcing the valve leaflets open. In addition, this embodiment of the valvuloplasty catheter includes a fiber-based balloon membrane, a distal pigtail end hole catheter tip, and a catheter sheath.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aortic valvuloplasty catheter which, in one preferred embodiment, has a tapered distal balloon segment that anchors within the left ventricle outflow track of the patient's heart and a rounded proximal segment which conforms to the aortic sinuses forcing the valve leaflets open. In addition, this embodiment of the valvuloplasty catheter includes a fiber-based balloon membrane, a distal pigtail end hole catheter tip, and a catheter sheath.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a balloon catheter is provided for use during annuloplasty. Preferably, the balloon includes a distal, noncompliant portion and a proximal semi-compliant portion which allows for sequential inflation, reliable positioning, and compliance measurement.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is used for dilating tubular members of the body such as dilating stenotic aortic valve leaflets found in the aortic root, and measuring the shape and dimensions of the annulus. The balloon has two larger diameter bulbous regions; one is positioned in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and the other in the aortic sinus; a smaller diameter waist region is positioned across the aortic annulus. During inflation of the balloon, the balloon waist expands in diameter until it comes into contact with the aortic annulus. The balloon pressure and inflation volume is monitored during inflation so that an inflection point in the dP/dV curve is seen at the point of contact of the waist with the annulus. Radiopaque rings and/or marker bands in the device allow the size and orientation of the elliptical annulus to be calculated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a balloon catheter is provided for use during annuloplasty. Preferably, the balloon includes a distal, noncompliant portion and a proximal semi-compliant portion which allows for sequential inflation, reliable positioning, and compliance measurement.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is used for dilating tubular members of the body such as dilating stenotic aortic valve leaflets found in the aortic root, and measuring the shape and dimensions of the annulus. The balloon has two larger diameter bulbous regions; one is positioned in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and the other in the aortic sinus; a smaller diameter waist region is positioned across the aortic annulus. During inflation of the balloon, the balloon waist expands in diameter until it comes into contact with the aortic annulus. The balloon pressure and inflation volume is monitored during inflation so that an inflection point in the dP/dV curve is seen at the point of contact of the waist with the annulus. Radiopaque rings and/or marker bands in the device allow the size and orientation of the elliptical annulus to be calculated.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is used for dilating tubular members of the body such as dilating stenotic aortic valve leaflets found in the aortic root, and measuring the shape and dimensions of the annulus. The balloon has two larger diameter bulbous regions; one is positioned in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and the other in the aortic sinus; a smaller diameter waist region is positioned across the aortic annulus. During inflation of the balloon, the balloon waist expands in diameter until it comes into contact with the aortic annulus. The balloon pressure and inflation volume is monitored during inflation so that an inflection point in the dP/dV curve is seen at the point of contact of the waist with the annulus. Radiopaque rings and/or marker bands in the device allow the size and orientation of the elliptical annulus to be calculated.

Abstract: A valvuloplasty catheter has a dog-bone shaped balloon with semi-compliant smaller diameter waist and non-compliant larger diameter bulbous end regions. The balloon centers across the valve with the waist adjacent to the annulus. One bulbous region serves to hyperextend the valve leaflets and the other assists in stabilizing the balloon position to reduce migration. The semi-compliant waist increases in diameter as fluid enters the balloon until it comes into contact with the valve annulus. The pressure within the balloon per unit of volume delivery has a greater slope after contact with the annulus than before resulting in a change in slope for the pressure versus volume curve. The diameter of the balloon and annulus are determined at this inflection point when the balloon contacts the annulus.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is used for dilating tubular members of the body such as dilating stenotic aortic valve leaflets found in the aortic root, and measuring the shape and dimensions of the annulus. The balloon has two larger diameter bulbous regions; one is positioned in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and the other in the aortic sinus; a smaller diameter waist region is positioned across the aortic annulus. During inflation of the balloon, the balloon waist expands in diameter until it comes into contact with the aortic annulus. The balloon pressure and inflation volume is monitored during inflation so that an inflection point in the dP/dV curve is seen at the point of contact of the waist with the annulus. Radiopaque rings and/or marker bands in the device allow the size and orientation of the elliptical annulus to be calculated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aortic valvuloplasty catheter which, in one preferred embodiment, has a tapered distal balloon segment that anchors within the left ventricle outflow track of the patient's heart and a rounded proximal segment which conforms to the aortic sinuses forcing the valve leaflets open. In addition, this embodiment of the valvuloplasty catheter includes a fiber-based balloon membrane, a distal pigtail end hole catheter tip, and a catheter sheath.

Abstract: A valvuloplasty catheter has a dog-bone shaped balloon with semi-compliant smaller diameter waist and non-compliant larger diameter bulbous end regions. The balloon centers across the valve with the waist adjacent to the annulus. One bulbous region serves to hyperextend the valve leaflets and the other assists in stabilizing the balloon position to reduce migration. The semi-compliant waist increases in diameter as fluid enters the balloon until it comes into contact with the valve annulus. The pressure within the balloon per unit of volume delivery has a greater slope after contact with the annulus than before resulting in a change in slope for the pressure versus volume curve. The diameter of the balloon and annulus are determined at this inflection point when the balloon contacts the annulus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aortic valvuloplasty catheter which, in one preferred embodiment, has a tapered distal balloon segment that anchors within the left ventricle outflow track of the patient's heart and a rounded proximal segment which conforms to the aortic sinuses forcing the valve leaflets open. In addition, this embodiment of the valvuloplasty catheter includes a fiber-based balloon membrane, a distal pigtail end hole catheter tip, and a catheter sheath.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aortic valvuloplasty catheter which, in one preferred embodiment, has a tapered distal balloon segment that anchors within the left ventricle outflow track of the patient's heart and a rounded proximal segment which conforms to the aortic sinuses forcing the valve leaflets open. In addition, this embodiment of the valvuloplasty catheter includes a fiber-based balloon membrane, a distal pigtail end hole catheter tip, and a catheter sheath.