Pressure applying fluid transfer medical device

Abstract

A device for applying pressure using absorbed fluid is disclosed. The device has particular utility in body cavities, such as nasal or sinus passages. In one embodiment, the device includes an expandable packing member and a delivery/draining tube. The packing member is insertable into a body cavity or body wound and expands when the packing member absorbs one or more fluids. After reaching the desired expansion, the packing member contacts body walls and applies pressure thereto. The delivery/draining tube is able to deliver fluid for treatment purposes or for expanding the packing member to a desired size. The delivery/draining tube is also used in removing body or other fluids from the body cavity or wound that are absorbed by the packing member. Rehydrating fluid is also utilized in facilitating the removal of the packing member from the body cavity or wound. In another embodiment, the packing member is definable to include anterior, body and posterior sections. A wrap member is disposed about portions of the anterior section that inhibits expansion thereof by liquid, as well as preventing adhesion or unwanted engagement between said anterior section portions and parts of the body cavity in which the packing member is inserted.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.