System and method for dilating an airway stenosis

A system for dilating a stenotic region in an airway of a patient, the system comprising:

• a catheter shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a stylet lumen, an inflation lumen and an overall length of less than 70 cm;
• an inflatable balloon disposed along the distal portion of the catheter shaft and in fluid communication with the inflation lumen;
• and
• a stylet having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a length sufficient to allow the stylet to extend beyond a distal end of the catheter shaft when the stylet is housed within the stylet lumen, wherein the stylet proximal portion is less flexible than the stylet distal portion and the stylet distal portion is bendable and able to retain a bent configuration when disposed within the stylet lumen.

A kit for dilating a stenotic region in an airway of a patient, the kit comprising:

• a catheter shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a stylet lumen, an inflation lumen and an overall length of less than 70 cm;
• an inflatable balloon disposed along the distal portion of the catheter shaft and in fluid communication with the inflation lumen;
• a stylet having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a length sufficient to allow the stylet to extend beyond a distal end of the catheter shaft when the stylet is housed within the stylet lumen, wherein the stylet proximal portion is less flexible than the stylet distal portion and the stylet distal portion is bendable and able to retain a bent configuration when disposed within the stylet lumen;
• and
• user instructions for:
• advancing the balloon catheter with the stylet disposed therein through the airway to position the inflatable balloon at the stenotic region;
• maintaining a position of the catheter relative to the patient to maintain the position of the balloon within the stenotic region by holding the proximal portion of the balloon catheter;
• and
• inflating the balloon of the catheter with the stylet in the catheter to dilate the stenotic region of the airway.