Transnasal method and catheter for lacrimal system
First Claim
2-1. A balloon catheter of claim 1, wherein said catheter body is formed of stainless steel with a wall thickness of at least 0.035″
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Accused Products
Abstract
A balloon catheter for treatment of a patient'"'"'s lacrimal system is applied transnasally without the use of a guide wire or a curve retention member. The catheter is formed of a stainless steel hypotube and is of sufficient stiffness and column strength to enable the deflated catheter to be pushed from the patent'"'"'s nasal cavity through a prepared small-tight opening, which is formed through the lateral nasal wall and lacrimal fossa, into the lacrimal sac. The catheter has a proximal shaft and a distal segment positioned by a bend at an angle of 70° to 115°, preferably 90°, to the proximal shaft. An inflatable member is mounted about the distal segment and is adhesively bonded to the distal end of the proximal shaft, the bend, and the proximal end of the distal segment and to the distal portion of the distal segment. The prepared, small-tight opening is formed by pushing small holes through the medial sac, lacrimal fossa, and lateral nasal wall with an instrument and coalescing the holes to form the prepared small-tight opening. The catheter is introduced into the nasal cavity and rotated, or moved, to align the distal segment with the prepared opening. The distal segment is then pushed through the prepared opening, and fluid under pressure is applied to the catheter to inflate the inflatable member and dilate the prepared opening.
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Citations
23 Claims
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2-1. A balloon catheter of claim 1, wherein said catheter body is formed of stainless steel with a wall thickness of at least 0.035″
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3-2. A balloon catheter of claim 2, wherein said catheter body has an outer diameter of 0.083″
- and an inner diameter of 0.039″
with a wall thickness of 0.044″
- and an inner diameter of 0.039″
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4-3. A balloon catheter of claim 1, wherein said distal segment has a rounded bend placing said distal segment at the angle of 70°
- to 115°
to said proximal segment.
- to 115°
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8. A balloon catheter for dilating a prepared opening in a lateral nasal wall separating a patient'"'"'s lacrimal sac and the patient'"'"'s nasal cavity, comprising:
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a tubular catheter body having a proximal end, a proximal segment, a distal end, and a distal segment;
an inflatable member disposed about said distal segment, said distal segment having a slot;
said catheter body being closed at a point that is closer to said distal end that is said slot;
means for applying fluid under pressure to said proximal end of said catheter body, said fluid under pressure flowing through said slot to inflate said inflatable member for dilating said prepared opening; and
said distal segment having a rounded bend placing said distal segment at an angle of 70°
to 115°
to said proximal segment. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method forming a relatively large opening in a lateral nasal wall separating a patient'"'"'s lacrimal sac and nasal cavity, comprising:
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providing a balloon catheter having a tubular catheter body formed with a proximal segment, a bend, and a distal segment at an angle of 70°
to 115°
with said proximal segment, an inflatable member mounted around said distal segment, a slot through a wall of said distal segment within said inflatable member, said tubular catheter body being closed at a point distally of said slot, and means for providing fluid under pressure at the proximal end of said tubular catheter body to inflate said inflatable member;
forming a small, tight prepared opening through the patient'"'"'s medial sac wall and lacrimal fossa, and said lateral nasal wall with one or more surgical tools, said opening being of such size that it will snugly receive said distal segment with said inflatable member deflated;
pushing said distal segment of said catheter body into said prepared opening with said inflatable member deflated; and
introducing said fluid under pressure through said proximal end of said catheter body and said slot to inflate said inflatable body and dilate said prepared opening. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method forming a relatively large opening in a lateral nasal wall separating a patient'"'"'s lacrimal sac and nasal cavity, comprising:
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providing a balloon catheter having a tubular catheter body formed with a proximal segment and a distal segment, an inflatable member mounted around said distal segment, a slot through a wall of said distal segment within said inflatable member, said tubular catheter body being closed at a point distally of said slot, and means for providing fluid under pressure at the proximal end of said tubular catheter body to inflate said inflatable member, said catheter body being formed of a hypotube of sufficient stiffness and column strength to enable said catheter, when said inflatable member is deflated, to be pushed from said nasal cavity through a small, tight prepared opening into said lacrimal sac;
forming a prepared opening through said lateral nasal wall with one or more surgical tools, said opening being of such size that it will snugly receive said distal segment with said inflatable member deflated;
pushing said distal segment of said catheter body into said prepared opening with said inflatable member deflated; and
introducing said fluid under pressure through said proximal end of said catheter body and said slot to inflate said inflatable body and dilate said prepared opening. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification