Single balloon device for cervix

• US 5,947,991 A
• Filed: 01/07/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert K. Cowan
• Original Assignee: Robert K. Cowan
• Inventors: Cowan, Robert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Woo, Julian W.
• Application Number:
  US08/780,434
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 604/96, 604/101, 604/265, 606/191, 606/192, 606/193, 128/832
• US Class Current: 606/191
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1475 Vagina
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104

Abstract

The present invention is an improved balloon catheter for cervical dilation having a shape when inflated that is larger in diameter at the portions of the balloon that extend into the cervix and vagina, and is narrower in diameter at the middle, or cervical portion. This improved shape of the inflated catheter allows an easier and simplified placement of the catheter in a patient and retention of the catheter in position during cervical dilation.

Claims

1. An improved balloon catheter for use in ripening a cervix prior to onset of labor, the catheter:

(a) comprising a flexible tube with a first end a tip of the first end and a second end;

(b) an inflatable balloon a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the balloon is attached at the tip of the first end of the tube, forming a fluid passageway into the balloon, the balloon having a shape generally longer than its width;

the balloon further having a proximal end and a distal end shaped to be of a greater diameter than the diameter of a center portion of the balloon when the balloon is at least partially inflated; and

(c) wherein the balloon is at least partially inflated by introducing fluid through the flexible tube into the balloon whereby the center portion of the balloon expands radially to apply pressure to the cervix and is of a lesser diameter than the proximal end and the distal end of the balloon throughout inflation.

2. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the flexible tube includes a valve to regulate fluid flow through the tube.

3. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the balloon inflates to a diameter larger than the diameter of the distal end.

4. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall of the center portion of the balloon is coated with a pharmaceutical product.

5. The catheter according to claim 4, wherein the pharmaceutical product is prostaglandin E₂.

6. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the balloon is attached to the first end of the tube and the tip of the first end of the tube extends into the proximal end of the balloon.

7. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the balloon is attached to the first end of the tube and the tip of the first end of the tube extends into the central portion of the balloon.

8. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the balloon is attached to the first end of the tube and the tip of the first end of the extends into a distal portion of the balloon.

17. A method of inducing labor comprising placing a balloon catheter according to claim 1 in the cervix such that the distal end of the balloon is located in the uterine region, the proximal end of the balloon is located in the vaginal region, the center portion of the balloon is in contact with the cervix, and the balloon is at least partially inflated to cause increased pressure on the cervix from the center portion of the balloon.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the balloon is inflated with a liquid.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the thickness of the wall of the balloon is less at the center portion than the thickness at the proximal end and the distal end.

9. An improved balloon catheter for use in ripening a cervix, the catheter comprising:

a flexible tube having a first end and a second end;

an inflatable balloon of a biocompatible material attached to the first tube end and forming a fluid passageway into the balloon the balloon having an inflated shape generally longer than its width, the balloon having a proximal end, a center portion, and a distal end;

the balloon further constructed so that upon at least partial inflation, the diameters of the proximal end and the distal end are greater than the diameter of the center portion of the balloon;

the balloon being inflated by passing fluid through the flexible tube and into the balloon; and

wherein the thickness of the wall of the balloon at the center portion is less than the thickness at the proximal end and the distal end.

10. The balloon catheter according to claim 9, wherein the flexible tube includes a valve for regulating the fluid into the balloon.

11. The balloon catheter according to claim 9, wherein the proximal end of the balloon inflates to a diameter larger than the diameter of the distal end of the balloon.

12. The balloon catheter according to claim 9, wherein the center portion of the balloon is coated with a pharmaceutical product.

13. The balloon catheter according to claim 12, wherein the pharmaceutical product is prostaglandin E₂.

14. The catheter according to claim 9, wherein the first end of the flexible tube extends into the proximal end of the balloon.

15. The catheter according to claim 9, wherein the first end of the flexible tube extends into the central portion of the balloon.

16. The catheter according to claim 9, wherein the first end of the flexible tube extends into the distal end of the balloon.