Liquid metal-filled balloon
AssigneeSensor Electronics, Inc.
InventorEdwin Langberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Liquid metal gallium-filled balloon catheter is connected to a source of heating power. An improved method of hyperthermia and ablation is made possible by ease of insertion and conformity to complex intracavitary geometry by liquid metal. Closeness of gallium melting point to body temperature makes insertion of solid gallium possible and subsequent melting after insertion. Method of balloon ablation of endometrium is described.
Claims6
An improved balloon catheter of a type inserted into a bodily cavity, the balloon catheter having means for filling and emptying the balloon with a fluid, wherein the improvement comprises fluid which is a liquid metal.
A method of using a gallium-filled balloon which comprises external cooling and solidifying of gallium for retention of a predetermined shape, insertion of thus shaped balloon into a bodily cavity, followed by melting of gallium by application of heat for conformal filling of a bodily cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.