Tamponade apparatus and method of using same
First Claim
1. A method of locating a flexible elongated inflatable sheath in position along a body cavity of a patient, wherein the sheath has a closed front end region blocking passage through the sheath in a longitudinal direction thereof and an opposite rear end region, and the method comprises:
- (a) introducing an instrument into the body cavity for driving the sheath along the body cavity in an extended condition in which the front end region of the sheath is forward of the rear end region;
(b) feeding the instrument a desired distance into the body cavity whereby the sheath is driven along the body cavity in the extended condition with the rear end region of the sheath drawn along behind the front end region with travel of the instrument along the body cavity; and
(c) withdrawing the instrument from the body cavity leaving the sheath behind in position in the body cavity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Elongate flexible sheath (2) for being driven into position along a body cavity of a patient by an instrument (4) such as an endoscope. Sheath has a closed front end region (10) blocking passagc in longitudinal direction and an opposite rear end region. In form of inflatable balloon, at least a section (18) of front end region transparent to enable viewing into body cavity for endoscope or other driving examination instrument. Sheath provided with one or more conduits (20, 22) lying along balloon and opening to exterior of balloon at front end region enabling fluid delivery, suction, or access of an implement into body cavity. Methods of positioning sheath in body cavity.
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Citations
72 Claims
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1. A method of locating a flexible elongated inflatable sheath in position along a body cavity of a patient, wherein the sheath has a closed front end region blocking passage through the sheath in a longitudinal direction thereof and an opposite rear end region, and the method comprises:
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(a) introducing an instrument into the body cavity for driving the sheath along the body cavity in an extended condition in which the front end region of the sheath is forward of the rear end region;
(b) feeding the instrument a desired distance into the body cavity whereby the sheath is driven along the body cavity in the extended condition with the rear end region of the sheath drawn along behind the front end region with travel of the instrument along the body cavity; and
(c) withdrawing the instrument from the body cavity leaving the sheath behind in position in the body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of examining the interior of a body cavity of a patient utilising an instrument for viewing the interior of the body cavity via a front end region of the instrument, wherein the instrument is received within a flexible sheath having a closed front end region blocking passage through the balloon and an opposite rear end region, and at least a section of the front end region of the sheath is transparent, and the method comprises:
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a) fitting the sheath on the instrument for driving of the sheath along the body cavity in an extended condition in which the front end region of the sheath is forward of the rear end region, and such that the instrument is received within the sheath;
b) introducing the instrument into the body cavity; and
c) feeding the instrument a desired distance into the body cavity whereby the closed end region of the sheath is driven along the body cavity with travel of the instrument and the rear end region of the sheath is drawn along behind;
wherein the front end region of the instrument is aligned with the transparent section of the front end region of the sheath for enabling viewing of the interior of the body cavity for determining where to position the sheath along the body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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- 41. An elongated flexible sheath for being driven along a body cavity of a patient into position by an instrument, wherein the sheath has a closed front end region and an opposite rear end region for reception of the instrument, and the sheath is adapted for receiving substantially the entire length of the instrument that is capable of being inserted into the body cavity.
- 56. An elongated balloon for positioning along body cavity of a patient, wherein the balloon has a front end region and an opposite rear end region, and the front end region of the balloon is adapted for being connected to the instrument such that the balloon lies alongside the instrument for being driven along the body cavity by the instrument in a substantially extended condition in which the front end region of the balloon is forward of the rear region of the balloon.
- 65. An elongated inflatable sheath having a closed front end region and an opposite rear end region, and adapted for being driven into position along a body cavity of a patient in a substantially extended condition in which the front end region of the sheath is forward of the rear end region, and wherein the sheath comprises at least one conduit lying along the sheath and opening to exterior of the sheath at the front end region for providing access to the exterior of the sheath or the body cavity.
Specification