Illuminating balloon catheter and method for using the catheter

A method for performing prostatectomy, which comprises:

• inserting at least a hollow balloon of a directionally illuminating balloon catheter into a bladder, the catheter having:
• a multi-lumen shaft with a distal end, the shaft defining:
• a fluid drain lumen;
• and
• a balloon inflation lumen;
• and
• the hollow balloon with a proximal side disposed at the distal end of the multi-lumen shaft to define a shaft-balloon junction, the balloon defining an interior fluidically connected to the balloon inflation lumen and inflated through the balloon inflation lumen, the balloon comprising:
• an integrated light source;
• a light-radiating surface adjacent the shaft-balloon junction;
• and
• a substantially opaque surface disposed at a portion of the balloon other than the light-radiating surface such that the integrated light source illuminates only a portion of a proximal half of the environment outside the balloon;
• inflating the balloon through the balloon inflation lumen while the balloon is in the bladder;
• directing light from the light source out through the light-radiating surface of the balloon to illuminate at least a portion of a procedure area at a bladder-prostate junction;
• and
• with the light illuminating the portion of the procedure area, performing at least a portion of a prostatectomy at the portion of the procedure area.

A method for performing prostatectomy, which comprises:

• providing a directionally illuminating balloon catheter with:
• a multi-lumen shaft having a distal end, the shaft defining:
• a fluid drain lumen;
• and
• a balloon inflation lumen;
• and
• a hollow balloon having a proximal side portion disposed at the distal end of the multi-lumen shaft to define a shaft-balloon junction, the balloon defining an interior fluidically connected to the balloon inflation lumen and inflated through the balloon inflation lumen, the balloon comprising:
• an integrated light source;
• a light-radiating surface adjacent the shaft-balloon junction;
• and
• a light-absorbing surface disposed at a portion of the balloon other than the light-radiating surface such that the integrated light source illuminates only a portion of a proximal half of the environment outside the balloon;
• inserting at least the hollow balloon of the catheter into a bladder;
• inflating the balloon through the balloon inflation lumen while the balloon is in the bladder;
• directing light from the light source out through the light-radiating surface of the balloon to illuminate at least a portion of a procedure area at a bladder-prostate junction;
• and
• with the light illuminating the portion of the procedure area, performing at least a portion of a prostatectomy at the portion of the procedure area.