Method and apparatus for extracting foreign bodies from nasal passages and the like

An apparatus for extracting a foreign object lodged in a patient's nasal passageway, comprising:

• a flexible, elongate body having proximal and distal ends;
• an inflatable balloon segment disposed generally at said distal end of said elongate body;
• a manually-actuable pump disposed at said proximal end of said elongate body in pneumatic communication with said inflatable balloon segment;
• wherein said distal end of said elongate body is adapted to be inserted into said patient's nasal cavity such that said inflatable balloon segment is positioned beyond said foreign object;
• and wherein actuation of said manually-actuable pump creates pneumatic pressure to inflate said balloon segment;
• and wherein said elongate body is adapted to be withdrawn from said patient's nasal passageway upon inflation of said balloon segment, thereby dislodging said foreign object from said patient's nasal passageway.

An apparatus for extracting a foreign object lodged in a patient's nasal passageway, comprising:

• a flexible, elongate body having proximal and distal ends;
• an inflatable balloon segment disposed generally at said distal end of said elongate body;
• an elongate lumen extending along the length of said elongate body providing pneumatic communication between said proximal end and said inflatable balloon segment;
• wherein said distal end of said elongate body is adapted to be inserted into said patient's nasal cavity such that said inflatable balloon segment is positioned beyond said foreign object;
• and wherein said proximal end of said elongate body is adapted to receive an end of a syringe having a plunger therein, such that depression of said plunger inflates said inflatable balloon segment;
• and wherein said elongate body is adapted to be withdrawn from said patient's nasal passageway upon inflation of said balloon segment, thereby dislodging said foreign object from said patient's nasal passageway.

An apparatus for extracting a foreign object lodged in a patient's nasal passageway, comprising:

• a flexible, elongate body having proximal and distal ends and having an elongate lumen extending along the length of said elongate body providing pneumatic communication between said proximal and distal ends;
• an elastic lining disposed on said inside wall of said elongate lumen on at least a portion of said distal end of said elongate body;
• an inflation port disposed at said proximal end of said elongate body;
• wherein said distal end of said elongate body is adapted to be inserted into said patient's nasal cavity such that said distal end is positioned beyond said foreign object;
• and wherein application of pneumatic pressure to said inflation port inflates a portion of said elastic lining out of said distal end of said elongate body in a balloon-like manner;
• and wherein said elongate body is adapted to be withdrawn from said patient's nasal passageway upon inflation of said elastic lining, thereby dislodging said foreign object from said patient's nasal passageway.

An apparatus for extracting a foreign object lodged in a patient's nasal passageway, comprising:

• an elongate, hollow flexible outer sheath having proximal and distal ends having an elongate lumen extending along the length thereof;
• an elongate, flexible balloon assembly, adapted for insertion into said lumen of said outer sheath, said balloon assembly comprising a flexible, elongate body having proximal and distal ends and having an inflatable balloon segment disposed generally at said distal end;
• wherein said distal end of said outer sheath is adapted to be inserted into said patient's nasal cavity such that said distal end of said outer sheath is positioned beyond said foreign object;
• and wherein said balloon assembly is adapted for insertion into said outer sheath until said inflatable balloon exits said distal end of said outer sheath;
• and wherein application of pneumatic pressure at said proximal end of said balloon assembly inflates said balloon segment;
• and wherein said outer sheath and balloon assembly are adapted to be withdrawn together from said patient's nasal passageway upon inflation of said balloon segment, thereby dislodging said foreign object from said patient's nasal passageway.