Vessel vector invasive catheter

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
An invasive medical catheter comprising: a flexible elongated tubular member having proximal and distal ends; a balloon means attached to and encircling a portion of said elongated tubular member proximate said elongated member's distal end; said balloon means comprising an outer elastic member and having a plurality of inner independent cells each of which is connected to a corresponding inflation lumen such that each cell may be inflated independently to create an asymmetrical distension of the outer elastic member; each cell being defined by the encircled portion of said elongated tubular member, a portion of said outer elastic member, and two longitudinal wall members angularly spaced from one another and extending radially from said elongated tubular member to said outer elastic member; wherein said asymmetrical distension of the outer elastic member forms a hydrofoil outer surface whereby blood flowing over said hydrofoil surface imparts a deflection force on the catheter distal end.
2.
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the tubular member includes an open core with openings at both the proximal and distal ends.
3.
The catheter of claim 2 wherein the open core is sized to accommodate the insertion of various flexible axially-oriented medical devices.
4.
The catheter of claim 3 wherein controlled off-axis deflection of the open core is accomplished as a derivative effect of the controlled asymmetrical distension of the catheter's distal-end structure.
5.
The catheter according to claim 1 further including a plurality of connecting tubes connected to said inflation lumens at one end and to sources of independently controlled, pressurized medium at the other end to conduct said pressurizing medium to respective inflation lumens and in turn to the respective inner cells.
6.
The catheter of claim 1 wherein pressure vessels in the form of cylinders are connected to the inflation lumens through a plurality of connecting tubes.
7.
The catheter of claim 6 wherein air is evacuated at the time of manufacture from the pressure vessels, connecting tubes, inflation lumens, and inner cells, each of which is then filled with a sterile liquid and sealed