Method and catheter for dilatation of the lacrimal system
First Claim
1. A method of restoring patency to an obstructed portion of the lacrimal system of a patient, comprising:
- providing a catheter having an inflatable member;
inserting the catheter into the lacrimal system;
positioning the inflatable member in the obstructed portion of the lacrimal system; and
inflating the inflatable member to dilate the obstructed portion to restore patencY to the lacrimal system.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dilatation catheter having an inflatable member and a method of using same to restore patency to an obstructed portion of the lacrimal system. The catheter is inserted into the lacrimal system and its inflatable member is positioned in the obstructed portion. The inflatable member is inflated to dilate the obstructed portion to restore patency to the lacrimal system. Preferably, the catheter includes one or more visually perceivable markers having a known spaced relationship to one of the ends of the inflatable member. Positioning of the inflatable member is assisted by aligning the marker relative to an opening into the lacrimal system.
294 Citations
52 Claims
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1. A method of restoring patency to an obstructed portion of the lacrimal system of a patient, comprising:
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providing a catheter having an inflatable member; inserting the catheter into the lacrimal system; positioning the inflatable member in the obstructed portion of the lacrimal system; and inflating the inflatable member to dilate the obstructed portion to restore patencY to the lacrimal system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of restoring patency to an obstructed portion of the lacrimal system of a patient, comprising:
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providing a catheter including; a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end; an inflatable member formed of noncompliant material and disposed proximate to the distal end of the catheter body, the inflatable member having when inflated a center region, a distal tapered region and a proximal tapered region, the distal region attached to the distal end of the center region and the proximal tapered region attached to the proximal end of the center region; and at least one visually perceivable marker having a known spaced relationship from one of the distal end and the proximal end of the center region for enabling alignment of the inflatable member with the obstructed portion of the lacrimal system to be dilated; inserting the catheter into the lacrimal system; positioning the inflatable member in the obstructed portion of the lacrimal system by aligning the marker relative to an opening into the lacrimal system; and inflating the inflatable member to dilate the obstructed portion to restore patency to the lacrimal system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A catheter for dilating an obstructed portion of the lacrimal system of a patient, comprising:
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a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end; an inflatable member disposed proximate to the distal end of said catheter body, said inflatable member having when inflated a center region, a distal tapered region and a proximal tapered region, said distal region attached to a distal end of said center region and said proximal tapered region attached to a proximal end of said center region; and at least one visually perceivable marker having a known spaced relationship from one of said distal end and said proximal end of said center region for enabling alignment of said inflatable member with the obstructed portion of the lacrimal system to be dilated. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A catheter for dilating an obstructed portion of the lacrimal system of a patient, comprising:
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a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end; an inflatable member formed of noncompliant material and disposed proximate to the distal end of said catheter body, said inflatable member having when inflated a center region, a distal tapered region and a proximal tapered region, said distal region attached to a distal end of said center region and said proximal tapered region attached to a proximal end of said center region; at least one visually perceivable dilatation marker disposed within said center region of said inflatable member for enabling alignment of said inflatable member with the obstructed portion of the lacrimal system to be dilated; and at least one visually perceivable insertion marker spaced from one of said distal end and said proximal end of said center region for enabling positioning of said inflatable member relative to an opening into the lacrimal system.
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Specification