Minimally Invasive Rectal Balloon Apparatus

• US 20100179582A1
• Filed: 03/29/2010
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Radiadyne LLC (AngioDynamics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Frija, Erik, Isham, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,241,317 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/192
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00274 Prostate operation, e.g. prostatectomy, turp, bhp treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22069 Immobilising; Stabilising
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00547 Prostate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0008 having visible markings on its surface, i.e. visible to the naked eye, for any purpose, e.g. insertion depth markers, rotational markers or identification of type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1097 Means for immobilizing the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/10 X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy A61N5/01 takes precedence

Abstract

A rectal balloon apparatus has a shaft with a fluid passageway extending therethrough. A balloon is affixed over an end of the shaft such that the fluid passageway communicates with an interior of the balloon. The balloon has a laterally flat surface thereon when inflated. The laterally flat surface of the balloon has a longitudinal groove formed thereon. A valve assembly is affixed to the shaft at an end opposite the balloon. The valve assembly selectively allows a fluid to pass therethrough to move the balloon from a non-inflated condition to an inflated condition. A fluid introducing means is removably attached to the valve assembly to introduce the fluid into the valve assembly.

Claims

1. A rectal balloon apparatus for immobilizing the prostate comprising:

a flexible shall having a fluid passageway extending therethrough; and

a balloon affixed over an end of said flexible shaft such that said fluid passageway communicates with an interior of said balloon, said balloon movable between a first inflated condition and a non-inflated condition, said balloon having a generally laterally flat surface extending substantially entirely thereacross for the prostate to be positioned thereon when in said first inflated condition.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said balloon movable between said first inflated condition and a second inflated condition, said balloon having both a laterally flat surface and a bulbous surface thereon when in said second inflated condition.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, said balloon having a groove formed in said laterally flat surface when in said first inflated condition for the prostate to be positioned thereon to reduce the lateral motion of the prostate.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, said groove extending centrally longitudinally along a portion of said laterally flat surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, said groove having a generally rectangular shape on said laterally flat surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the exterior surface of said balloon comprising two layers of non-latex material, and wherein the end of said shaft positioned between said two layers of non-latex material.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said layers bonded together along their edges to form said balloon.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a sleeve slidably affixed over said shaft and not attached with said balloon and movable between a first position overlying said balloon and a second position away from said balloon.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, said sleeve having a first portion frangibly joined to a second portion, said first portion having a tab extending outwardly from one end thereof, said second portion having a tab extending outwardly from one end thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a valve means affixed to said shaft at an end opposite said balloon, said valve means for selectively allowing a fluid to pass through said shaft to said balloon so as to move said balloon from said non-inflated condition to said first inflated condition.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, said valve means having a port thereon.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a fluid introducing means releasably connected to said port for introducing fluid into an interior of said balloon so as to move said balloon from said non-inflated condition to said first inflated condition.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, said non-inflated condition being a vacuum such that said balloon resides tightly over said shaft.

14. A rectal balloon apparatus for the prostate comprising:

a shaft having a single fluid passageway extending therethrough, said shaft having an opening communicating with said fluid passageway;

a single balloon affixed over an end of said shaft, said fluid passageway of said shall communicating through said opening with an interior of said balloon, said opening positioned on a portion of said shaft positioned interior of said balloon, said balloon movable between a first inflated condition and a non-inflated condition, said balloon having a generally laterally flat surface with a substantially rectangular longitudinal groove thereon for the prostate to rest upon to reduce the prostate'"'"'s lateral motion when said balloon is in said first inflated condition, said balloon being in surface-to-surface contact with said shaft when in said non-inflated condition.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, said balloon movable between said first inflated condition and a second inflated condition, said balloon having both a laterally flat surface and a bulbous surface thereon when in said second inflated condition.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the exterior surface of said balloon comprising two materials attached together at their edges in a plane substantially containing said shaft.

17. A rectal balloon apparatus for a prostate comprising:

a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough;

a balloon affixed over an end of said shaft such that said fluid passageway communicates with an interior of said balloon, said balloon movable between a first inflated condition and a non-inflated condition, said balloon having a generally laterally flat surface extending substantially thereacross in said first inflated condition, said balloon having a substantially rectangular groove on said generally laterally flat surface when in said first inflated condition for the prostate to rest upon to reduce the prostate'"'"'s lateral motion, said groove extending in said generally laterally flat surface in a direction substantially parallel with said shaft, said balloon tightly juxtaposed over said shaft in said non-inflated condition.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said balloon comprising more than one layer of material.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the exterior surface of said balloon comprising two layers of material joined together along their edges.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said shaft positioned between said two layers of material.