Importance

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Abstract

A direct-access device with a thin-profile balloon member is used to occlude a blood vessel. The device is ideally suited for occluding a patient's aorta during stopped-heart cardiac procedures. The device comprises a flexible, thin-profile balloon member which forms a balloon in combination with a tubular member, which inflates the thin-profile balloon member. Together, the balloon member and tubular member occlude a blood vessel. The balloon member is attached near the distal end of the tubular member. The width of the balloon member's outer peripheral contact area, which contacts the inner wall of the blood vessel, is substantially narrower than the balloon member's diameter. The balloon member is made of a low compliance material which prevents the balloon member from expanding by more than 40% radially and 50% longitudinally after the balloon member is initially inflated under ambient pressure to its normal, unstretched shape. The balloon member comprises at least one pair of internal ribs which support the structure of the balloon member and prevent the balloon member from expanding longitudinally by more than 50%. The balloon member with internal ribs may be formed by dipping a mandrel, with grooves or channels formed therein, a number of times into liquid polyethylene, polyurethane or other similar material. The tubular member comprises a first lumen which carries blood between the patient and an external medical device. Another lumen is used to inflate and deflate the thin profile balloon member. Other lumens are used to measure blood pressure, introduce cardioplegia solution or drugs, and/or compensate for over-inflation of the balloon member. The tubular member is preferably bent near the distal end to allow the balloon member to be directly introduced into the blood vessel.

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First Claim