US 5,383,889 A · Tethered everting balloon retractor for hollow bodies and method of using

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a manipulating force to manipulate a hollow body. The apparatus comprises a hollow shaft at the distal end of which is attached an elastomeric balloon that is inflatable from a collapsed state to an expanded state to engage the hollow body. A tether, attached to the distal tip of the elastomeric balloon, limits distal excursion, and freely allows proximal excursion, of the distal tip of the elastomeric balloon in response to the manipulating force. The tether may be flexible, with its distal end attached to the distal tip of the elastomeric balloon, and its proximal end attached within the hollow shaft. Alternatively, the tether may include an elongate member slidably mounted within the hollow shaft, and a stop that limits distal sliding of the elongate member. The distal tip of the balloon is attached to the distal end of the elongate member. In a method according to the invention for manipulating a hollow body, the apparatus just described is provided. The elastomeric balloon of the apparatus is introduced in a collapsed state into an interior volume of the hollow body. The elastomeric balloon is expanded to its expanded state to occupy at least a major portion of the interior volume of the hollow body. Finally, a manipulating force is applied to the hollow shaft to manipulate the hollow body.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An apparatus for applying a manipulating force to manipulate a hollow body, the apparatus comprising:

a hollow shaft having a distal end;
a first hollow tube having a distal end, being coaxially mounted outside the hollow shaft, and being axially fixed relative to the hollow shaft;
a second hollow tube having a distal end providing a cutting edge, the second hollow tube being coaxially mounted between the hollow shaft and the first hollow tube, and being axially slidable relative to the hollow shaft and the first hollow tube;
an elastomeric balloon attached to the distal end of the hollow shaft, the elastomeric balloon having a distal tip, and being inflatable from a collapsed state to an expanded state to engage the hollow body;
and
a tethering means, attached to the distal tip of the elastomeric balloon, for limiting distal excursion and freely permitting proximal excursion of the distal tip of the elastomeric balloon in the expanded state in response to the manipulating force.

3 more elements

An apparatus for applying a manipulating force to manipulate a hollow body, the apparatus comprising:

a hollow shaft having a distal end;
an elastomeric balloon attached to the distal end of the hollow shaft, the elastomeric balloon having a distal tip, and being inflatable from a collapsed state to an expanded state to engage the hollow body;
and
a tethering means, attached to the distal tip of the elastomeric balloon, for limiting distal excursion and freely permitting proximal excursion of the distal tip of the elastomeric balloon in the expanded state in response to the manipulating force, the tethering means comprising:
a rigid elongate member slidably mounted within the hollow shaft, the elongate member having a proximal end, and a distal end, the distal tip of the balloon is attached to the distal end of the elongate member, and
a stop means for limiting distal sliding of the elongate member.

3 more elements

A method of applying a manipulating force to manipulate a hollow body, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a retractor, comprising:
a hollow shaft having a distal end;
an elastomeric balloon attached to the distal end of the hollow shaft, the elastomeric balloon having a distal tip, and being inflatable from a collapsed state to an expanded state to engage the hollow body;
and
a tethering means, attached to the distal tip of the elastomeric balloon, for limiting distal excursion and freely permitting proximal excursion of the distal tip of the elastomeric balloon in the expanded state in response to the manipulating force, the tethering means comprising:
a rigid elongate member slidably mounted within the hollow shaft, the elongate member having a proximate end and a distal end, the distal tip of the balloon being attached to the distal end of the elongate member, and
a stop means for limiting distal sliding of the elongate member,
introducing the elastomeric balloon in the collapsed state into an interior volume of the hollow body,
expanding the elastomeric balloon to the expanded state to occupy at least a major portion of the interior volume, and
applying the manipulating force to the hollow shaft to manipulate the hollow body.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tethered everting balloon retractor for hollow bodies and method of using

Life of this patent

Tethered everting balloon retractor for hollow bodies and method of using

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25