Apparatus for performing diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in the biliary tree
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsChristopher A. Rowland, Michael G. Vergano, Bryan P. Eddy, Peter B. Cotton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Catheter apparatus for performing diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in the biliary tree includes a catheter with multiple lumens. A first lumen is adapted to receive a guidewire and can serve as a transport lumen for contrast agent. A second lumen carries a cutting wire for performing a sphincterotomy. A third lumen can be used as an inflation lumen for a distally located balloon. Expansion of the balloon occludes a portion of the biliary tree and allows the catheter to sweep any gallstones through the sphincter of Oddi into the duodenum.
Claims11
A method of removing an object from an internal passage of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a catheter into the passage, the catheter having a first lumen and a second lumen each extending therethrough from a distal end inserted within the patient to a proximal end to remain exterior the patient, the first lumen being adapted to receive a guiding device, said first lumen having a diameter which gradually reduces from a proximal end to a distal end, and the second lumen being provided with an expansible device provided near the distal end thereof and an entry port provided near the proximal end thereof;
- using the guiding device to position the catheter within the passage until the expansible device passes beyond the object to be removed;
- expanding the expansible device;
- and
- withdrawing the catheter from the patient while the expansible device is expanded to dislodge the object from the internal passage of the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.