Method of tubal recanalization and catheter system therefor
First Claim
1. A method of tubal recanalization comprising:
- advancing an everting catheter capable of dilatation and an endoscope to a position adjacent the site of a stenosis in an internal tubal passage of a patient, said everting catheter including an endoscope lumen receiving the endoscope and an everting element which is inflatable to grip the endoscope;
everting the everting element to a location within the stenosis;
expanding the everting element to reduce the stenosis;
retracting the everting element from said location;
viewing said site using the endoscope; and
introducing a solution between the everting element and the endoscope where the everting element grips the endoscope, and moving the endoscope relative to the everting element while the solution is between the everting element and the endoscope to position the endoscope.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of tubal recanalization comprising advancing an everting catheter adapted for dilatation and an endoscope to a position adjacent the site of a stenosis in an internal tubal passage of a patient. The everting catheter includes an endoscope lumen and the endoscope is within the endoscope lumen. The everting element is everted to a location within the stenosis and is then expanded to reduce the stenosis. When the tubal passage has been opened sufficiently, the everting element is retracted. The site of the stenosis is viewed using the endoscope and such viewing may be carried out prior to expansion of the everting element to locate the site as well as after the everting element has been retracted.
293 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of tubal recanalization comprising:
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advancing an everting catheter capable of dilatation and an endoscope to a position adjacent the site of a stenosis in an internal tubal passage of a patient, said everting catheter including an endoscope lumen receiving the endoscope and an everting element which is inflatable to grip the endoscope; everting the everting element to a location within the stenosis; expanding the everting element to reduce the stenosis; retracting the everting element from said location; viewing said site using the endoscope; and introducing a solution between the everting element and the endoscope where the everting element grips the endoscope, and moving the endoscope relative to the everting element while the solution is between the everting element and the endoscope to position the endoscope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of tubal recanalization comprising:
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advancing an everting catheter capable of dilatation and an endoscope to a position adjacent the site of a stenosis in an internal tubal passage of a patient, said everting catheter including an outer catheter having an outer catheter lumen, an inner catheter movable in the outer catheter lumen and having an inner catheter lumen, an everting element coupled to the outer and inner catheters and an endoscope lumen which includes the outer catheter lumen, the endoscope being within the endoscope lumen; everting the everting element to a location within the stenosis; expanding the everting element to reduce the stenosis; retracting the everting element from said location; and viewing said site through the everting element using the endoscope.
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17. A method of tubal recanalization comprising:
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advancing an everting catheter capable of dilatation and an endoscope to a position adjacent the site of a stenosis in an internal tubal passage of a patient, said everting catheter including an outer catheter having an outer catheter lumen, an inner catheter movable in the outer catheter lumen and having an inner catheter lumen, an everting element coupled to the outer and inner catheters and an endoscope lumen outside the outer catheter lumen, the endoscope being within the endoscope lumen; everting the everting element to a location within the stenosis; expanding the everting element to reduce the stenosis; retracting the everting element from said location; and viewing said site using the endoscope.
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18. A method of tubal recanalization comprising:
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advancing an everting catheter capable of dilatation and an endoscope to a position adjacent the site of a stenosis in an internal tubal passage of a patient, said everting catheter including an endoscope lumen receiving the endoscope and an everting element which is inflatable to grip the endoscope; everting the everting element to a location within the stenosis; expanding the everting element to reduce the stenosis; retracting the everting element from said location; viewing said site using the endoscope; and introducing a solution between the everting element and the endoscope where the everting element grips the endoscope to assist the viewing of said site. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of tubal recanalization comprising:
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advancing an everting catheter capable of dilatation and an endoscope to a position adjacent the site of a stenosis in a fallopian tube of a patient, said everting catheter including an endoscope lumen receiving the endoscope and an everting element which is inflatable to grip the endoscope; everting the everting element to a location within the stenosis; expanding the everting element to reduce the stenosis; retracting the everting element from said location; viewing said site using the endoscope; and introducing a solution between the everting element and the endoscope where the everting element grips the endoscope, and moving the endoscope longitudinally relative to the everting element while the solution is between the everting element and the endoscope to position the endoscope.
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Specification