| CPC A61B 5/6853 (2013.01) [A61B 5/4222 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |

|
1. A diagnostic device comprising:
a balloon having (i) a proximal balloon end, (ii) a distal balloon end, and (iii) a balloon wall that extends between the proximal balloon end and the distal balloon end, wherein:
the balloon wall defines a balloon interior that contains a self-expanding, low compression-set material,
a diameter or width of the self-expanding, low compression-set material has a peak value when the self-expanding, low compression-set material is in a fully expanded state, and
when the self-expanding, low compression-set material is compressed from the fully expanded state to a state in which the diameter or width has a value between 50% and 75% of the peak value, the self-expanding, low compression-set material exerts an outward force of between 0.2 and 1.0 pounds per square inch (psi);
a catheter having a proximal catheter end and a distal catheter end, wherein the catheter extends through an opening in the proximal balloon end, a lumen of the catheter is in fluid communication with the balloon interior, the self-expanding, low compression-set material has an annular shape that surrounds the catheter and extends to the balloon wall, and the balloon wall is adjacent to an environment external to the diagnostic device; and
a termination component coupled to the catheter at a position along the catheter that is proximal to the proximal balloon end, wherein (i) when the termination component is in a first physical configuration, the balloon interior is not in fluid communication with an environment external to the catheter at the proximal catheter end, and (ii) when the termination component is in a second physical configuration different than the first physical configuration, the balloon interior is in fluid communication with the environment external to the catheter at the proximal catheter end.
|