Dilation device

• US 20060047298A1
• Filed: 08/26/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Imperial College Innovations Ltd. (Imperial College London)
• Original Assignee: Imperial College Innovations Ltd. (Imperial College London)
• Inventors: Edwards, Lee, Darzi, Ara
• Application Number:
  US11/213,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20060047298A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/198
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/037 Measuring oesophageal pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/227 of constricting muscles, i.e. sphincters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104

Abstract

A device for causing dilation of a tubular anatomy comprising; an active element comprising: a plurality of elongate flexible members, each having a first end and a second end; a first connector connected to the first ends of the strips; a second connector connected to the second ends of the strips; a compressor for causing one of the connectors to move towards the other connector thereby causing the elongate members to bow laterally.

Claims

1. A device for causing dilation of a tubular anatomy comprising;

an active element comprising;

a plurality of elongate flexible members, each having a first end and a second end;

a first connector connected to the first ends of the strips;

a second connector connected to the second ends of the strips;

a compressor for causing one of the connectors to move towards the other connector thereby causing the elongate members to bow laterally.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the compressor exerts a constant pressure on the active element.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the compressor exerts stepped pressure on the active element.

4. A device according to claim 1 further comprising at least one stop for preventing over compression of the active element.

5. A device according to claim 4 comprising a plurality of stops.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the stops comprise a plurality of grooves positioned along the length of the active element, and a moveable member in the form of a ring or disc.

7. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a screw thread extending along the length of the active element, and a moveable member moveable along the screw thread.

8. A device according to claim 1 wherein the first and second connectors are substantially disc shaped.

9. A device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the connectors is formed integrally with the elongate members.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the connectors is formed separately from the elongate members.

11. A device according claim 1 wherein the first connector comprises at least one pressure sensor.

12. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a first sleeve associated with the active element, which sleeve is mechanically driven.

13. A device according to claim 1 wherein the compressor comprises means for pulling one connector towards the other.

14. A device according to claim 1 wherein the compressor comprises a wire connected to the distal end of the active element.

15. A device according to claim 1 wherein the compressor comprises a screw.

16. A device according to claim 1 wherein the compressor comprises a threaded elongate member associated with the elongate member.

17. A device according to claim 1 wherein the compressor comprises a PVDF strain sensor or strain gauge.

18. A device according to claim 1 further comprising an outer sleeve extending over the active element.

19. A device according claim 1 further comprising a cone formed at the distal end of the active element.