Methods for placement of balloon tamponade devices

A method of placing a balloon tamponade device for treating a bleeding site within a digestive tract, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a device having a tube having proximal and distal open ends, a first inflatable balloon mounted over said tube, and a first inflation lumen for directing pressurized fluid to inflate said first balloon;
• backloading said device on an endoscope by passing said endoscope through said open ends of said tube;
• passing said endoscope with the device backloaded thereon through the mouth and down the esophagus and using the endoscope to locate the bleeding site;
• advancing the device down over the endoscope;
• positioning the tube across the bleeding site with the proximal and distal open ends positioned in the digestive tract;
• inflating said first balloon to treat the bleeding site;
• and
• removing the endoscope to establish a passage for fluid flow in the tube between the proximal and distal open ends.

A method for delivering a detachable coating or therapeutic substance to a digestive tract bleeding site for treatment thereof, comprising the steps of:

• providing a device having a tube having proximal and distal open ends, and a first inflatable balloon mounted on said tube for receiving said detachable coating or therapeutic substance and inflating to apply it to said bleeding site;
• placing said detachable coating or therapeutic substance on said first inflatable balloon;
• passing a guide means through said open ends of said tube, said guide means also being extended through the mouth and down said esophagus;
• advancing said device along said guide means and down said esophagus;
• and
• positioning the tube across the bleeding site with the proximal and distal open ends positioned in the digestive tract;
• inflating said first inflatable balloon whereby said detachable coating or therapeutic substance is applied to said bleeding site;
• and
• removing the guide means to establish a passage for fluid flow in the tube between the proximal and distal open ends.

A method of placing a balloon tamponade device for treating a digestive tract bleeding site, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a device having a tube having proximal and distal open ends, a first inflatable balloon mounted over said tube, and a first inflation lumen for directing pressurized fluid to inflate said first balloon, said device also having a bridle connected to said tube, said bridle extendable up the esophagus to secure the device in place while said proximal open end of said tube is positioned within the digestive tract;
• passing a guide means through said open ends of said tube, said guide means also being extended through the mouth and down said esophagus;
• advancing said device along said guide means and down said esophagus;
• positioning the tube across the bleeding site with the proximal and distal open ends positioned in the digestive tract:
• inflating the first inflation balloon;
• pulling on said bridal until said first inflation balloon is felt to seat within the digestive tract;
• and
• removing the guide means to establish a passage for fluid flow in the tube between the proximal and distal open ends.