ANTRAL CATHETER FOR REDUCTION OF FRACTURES

• US 3,800,788 A
• Filed: 07/12/1972
• Issued: 04/02/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Norman S. White
• Original Assignee: Norman S. White
• Inventors: White, Norman S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yasko, J.
• Application Number:
  US05/271,197
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 128/83,342,344,348,349
• US Class Current: 606/86.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/24 for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00; Tongue scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8866 for gripping or pushing bones, e.g. approximators joint distractors A61B17/025
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence

Abstract

An inflatable catheter for insertion into the maxillary sinus cavity via the nasal opening, which when inflated with sterile water or air will exert pressure on the bone surrounding the sinus and will move intruding bone portions such as may be present upon fracture of the maxilla or other bones to reduce such fracture. The catheter head is formed of a pyramidal shape as to conform to the generally triangular configuration of the maxillary sinus.

Claims

1. An inflatable one-piece antral catheter for use in the reduction of fractures adjacent the maxillary sinus, including a tubular body portion having a longitudinally extending lumen therein, an integral inflatable elastic balloon on the distal end of said body portion and in communication therewith, said balloon being conical in shape in its flaccid condition, the base of said conical balloon being adjacent the distal end of the body portion, and an integral noninflatable semi-rigid tip means forming the apex of said cone to facilitate handling and insertion of the balloon portion into said sinus cavity, said balloon portion being adapted upon expansion by fluid pressure to exert even presure against the walls of the generally pyramidal shaped sinus cavity.

2. An inflatable catheter as defined in claim 1, wherein suture-receiving means is formed in the tip means.

3. An inflatable catheter as defined in claim 1, wherein the wall thickness of said balloon is less than the wall thickness of said body portion.