Method of treating a flow obstruction
First Claim
1. A method of treating the symptoms of urethral outflow obstructions by dilation of the urethra, comprising the steps of:
- (a) inserting an instrument into the urethra, said instrument having an axially elongate radially expandable support structure disposed therein for radially outwardly dilating the urethra;
(b) adjusting the location of the support structure within the urethra with respect to an anatomical landmark using direct vision to visualize the position of a nonradiological locating means within the urethra in order to ensure that said support structure does not extend onto any portion of the external urethral sphincter, thereby avoiding dilation of the external urethral sphincter;
(c) expanding the support structure so as to radially outwardly dilate the urethra, said nonradiological locating means being on or proximal to said support structure when said support structure is radially expanded; and
(d) removing the instrument, leaving the support structure within the dilated portion of the urethra.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the treatment of the symptoms of obstructive prostatism. The apparatus includes an expandable dilation catheter and preferably an axially elongate sheath, adapted for transurethral insertion via the external opening of the urethra. The sheath is ellipsoid in cross-section, and provides an initial path through which the catheter and a standard cystoscope lens is guided. The dilation catheter or the sheath are provided with a non-radiological locating feature for positioning the dilation portion of the catheter with respect to an anatomical landmark. Once the catheter has been properly positioned with respect to both the bladder neck and the sphincter, the dilation balloon may be inflated to force open the affected prostatic urethra and eliminate the obstruction.
223 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of treating the symptoms of urethral outflow obstructions by dilation of the urethra, comprising the steps of:
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(a) inserting an instrument into the urethra, said instrument having an axially elongate radially expandable support structure disposed therein for radially outwardly dilating the urethra; (b) adjusting the location of the support structure within the urethra with respect to an anatomical landmark using direct vision to visualize the position of a nonradiological locating means within the urethra in order to ensure that said support structure does not extend onto any portion of the external urethral sphincter, thereby avoiding dilation of the external urethral sphincter; (c) expanding the support structure so as to radially outwardly dilate the urethra, said nonradiological locating means being on or proximal to said support structure when said support structure is radially expanded; and (d) removing the instrument, leaving the support structure within the dilated portion of the urethra. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification