Radially expandable dilator
First Claim
1. An apparatus for forming and enlarging a penetration, said apparatus comprising:
- an elongate dilation tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial lumen, said tube being radially expandable from a small diameter to a larger diameter; and
an elongate expansion member which is insertable through the axial lumen of the dilation tube from its proximal end to effect radial expansion of the dilation tube, said expansion member comprising an outer tube and an inner rod member, whereby the rod can be removed from the tube after expansion of the dilation tube to leave an access lumen through the inner tube.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for forming and enlarging percutaneous penetrations comprises an elongate dilation tube which receives an elongate expansion member in an axial lumen thereof. The dilation tube is radially expandable from a small diameter configuration to a larger diameter configuration. The dilation tube is percutaneously introduced to a desired target site within a patient'"'"'s body and thereafter radially expanded by axial insertion of the expansion member through the axial lumen of the tube. The tube prevents the application of axial forces on the surrounding tissue as the expansion member is introduced. The expansion member may include a separate outer sleeve member which remains in place to maintain the enlarged access channel. Optionally, an inflatable balloon at the distal end of the dilation tube may be provided to enhance retention of the device and sealing of the penetration.
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Citations
58 Claims
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1. An apparatus for forming and enlarging a penetration, said apparatus comprising:
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an elongate dilation tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial lumen, said tube being radially expandable from a small diameter to a larger diameter; and an elongate expansion member which is insertable through the axial lumen of the dilation tube from its proximal end to effect radial expansion of the dilation tube, said expansion member comprising an outer tube and an inner rod member, whereby the rod can be removed from the tube after expansion of the dilation tube to leave an access lumen through the inner tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for enlarging a penetration, said method comprising:
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penetrating an elongate dilation tube having an axial lumen through tissue or a duct so that a distal end thereof lies at a target location within a body; securing a proximal end of the elongate tube; and inserting an elongate expansion member comprising an outer tube and an inner rod through the axial lumen of the dilation tube from its proximal end to cause radial expansion of the tube; and removing the inner rod from a lumen of the outer tube, whereby the outer tube lumen provides an access channel to the target location. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for forming and enlarging a penetration, said apparatus comprising:
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an elongate dilation tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial lumen, said tube being radially expandable from a small diameter to a larger diameter; an elongate expansion member which is insertable through the axial lumen of the dilation tube from its proximal end to effect radial expansion of the tube; an inflatable balloon at the distal end of the elongate dilation tube; and means for inflating the balloon from the proximal end of the elongate dilation tube to effect retention of the tube within and sealing of the penetration. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for enlarging a penetration, said method comprising:
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penetrating an elongate dilation tube having an axial lumen through tissue or a duct so that a distal end thereof lies at a target location within a body; securing a proximal end of the elongate dilation tube; inflating a balloon at the distal end of the elongate dilation tube to enhance sealing of the dilation tube within the penetration and to hold tissue layers together; and inserting an elongate expansion member through the axial lumen of the dilation tube from its proximal end to cause radial expansion of the tube, whereby an axial lumen of the expansion member provides a access channel to the target location. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An apparatus for forming and enlarging a penetration, said apparatus comprising:
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an elongate dilation tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial lumen, said tube comprising an inner sleeve and outer elastic sheath, wherein the sleeve is radially expandable and the sheath extends substantially the entire length of the sleeve so that the sleeve may be radially expanded against a radially compressive force resulting from the elastic sheath; and an elongate expansion member which is insertable through the axial lumen of the dilation tube from its proximal end to radially outwardly deform the sleeve against the elastic sheath, whereby the inner lumen of the tube is available as an access channel. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method for enlarging a penetration, said method comprising:
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penetrating an elongate dilation tube comprising an inner sleeve and an outer elastic sheath through tissue or a duct so that said elastic contacts such tissue or duct and a distal end of the tube lies at a target location within the body; securing a proximal end of the dilation tube; inserting an elongate expansion member having an axial lumen through an axial lumen of the dilation tube from its proximal end to cause radial expansion of the tube, whereby the expanded elastic sheath contacts the tissue or duct and the axial lumen of the expansion member provides an access channel to the target location. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification