Eccentric dilation balloons for use with endoscopes
AssigneeUniversity of South Florida
InventorJames S. Barthel
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Abstract
The dilation balloon of the subject invention preferably comprises a balloon portion mounted about a shaft that, when inflated, produces a configuration comprising a tapered distal end and a proximal end or butt that is substantially flat (preferably truncated) and is adapted to generally conform with the outer contours of an endoscope through which it is introduced when the balloon is pulled back against the endoscope face. The close engagement of the subject balloon catheter and endoscope, when forming a balloon-scope train, enables the scope to more readily navigate strictures and tortuous body lumen, as well as allows the balloon to act as a lens for viewing anatomical structure within the body lumen, such as tumors, strictures, and the inner luminal wall surface itself.
Claims8
A balloon catheter for use with an endoscope, the catheter comprising:
- a transparent dilation balloon having a central longitudinal axis;
- a catheter shaft offset from said central axis, wherein the catheter shaft is in direct contact with and attached to the transparent dilation balloon;
- and
- a support element offset from said central axis;
- wherein when the transparent dilation balloon is in a fully inflated state and is pulled back against a face of the endoscope, outer contours of the transparent dilation balloon are aligned with outer contours of the endoscope along an identical longitudinal axis;
- and
- wherein at least a majority of the catheter shaft is within the endoscope.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.