Apparatus and methods for bone, tissue and duct dilatation
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for medical treatment comprising bone, tissue or duct dilatation using inflatable dilatation elements together with apparatus and techniques for tensioning, stretching, folding, and/or wrapping the dilatation elements externally as well as in situ to facilitate insertion, positioning and withdrawal procedures.
40 Citations
100 Claims
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1-34. -34. (canceled)
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35. A method for treating a living being for bone, tissue and/or body duct dilatation comprising the sequential steps of:
- inserting an inflatable balloon element in an uninflated state into an interior region, cavity or passage of a damaged, collapsed or deformed bone, tissue or duct through a first of one or more narrow diameter openings or passageways to position the balloon element at a body location requiring dilatation;
inflating the balloon element with a working fluid to a working pressure and for a time period sufficient to substantially completely dilate the interior region, cavity or passage to substantially restore its normal size, shape and/or alignment;
deflating the balloon element by withdrawing the working fluid;
during and/or subsequent to said deflating step, stretching and/or folding, pleating or wrapping the balloon element to reduce its profile; and
, withdrawing the previously-inflated balloon element through a one of said narrow diameter openings or passageways, which may be the same as or different than said first narrow diameter opening or passageway. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100)
- inserting an inflatable balloon element in an uninflated state into an interior region, cavity or passage of a damaged, collapsed or deformed bone, tissue or duct through a first of one or more narrow diameter openings or passageways to position the balloon element at a body location requiring dilatation;
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49. (canceled)
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50. (canceled)
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62-90. -90. (canceled)
Specification