Dilation systems and related methods

• US 6,616,678 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Gobron, Stéphane, Ward, Tim, Smith, Jeff, Nishtala, Srinivas
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Application Number:
  US09/814,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20010012950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 616/1, 616/108, 616/191-200, 604/96-1-1, 600/201, 600/204, 600/207
• US Class Current: 606/198
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3439 with means for changing the inner diameter of the cannula, e.g. expandable A61B17/3423, A61B17/3431 take precedence; catheters A61M25/0662
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0024 Expandable catheters or sheaths
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0662 Guide tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104

Abstract

Devices and methods permit dilation of a track of a body to any of a plurality of diameters using a single integrated device that can reach any of a plurality of expanded diameters upon actuation by a user of an actuating mechanism which directs and controls the dilation of a dilating element to which it is connected by a dial and transmission mechanism. A variety of dials, transmission mechanisms and dilating elements are disclosed which may be combined in a variety of ways.

Claims

1. A dilation system for dilating a natural or created track of a body, the dilation system comprising:

a dilating element for insertion into the track of the body, said dilating element comprising a balloon and a mesh or a braid overlaying the balloon, said mesh or braid being expandable along its length to any of a plurality of diameters; and

an actuating mechanism integrally connected to said mesh or braid for restricting the radial expansion of said dilating element to any of the plurality of diameters, the actuating mechanism comprising a dial and a transmission mechanism, the transmission mechanism comprising at least one tubular member fixedly connected to a proximal end of the mesh or braid and including a disk for engagement in a circular groove in said dial, the transmission mechanism connected proximally to said dial and distally to said mesh or braid and transferring a longitudinal motion, rotational motion, or a combination thereof from said dial to said mesh or braid.

2. The dilation system of claim 1, wherein said dial further comprises indices.

3. The dilation system of claim 1, wherein said transmission mechanism comprises at least one tubular member selected from the group consisting of a cannula, a rod, a shaft, and a needle.

4. The dilation system of claim 1, wherein said transmission mechanism converts and transfers a rotational motion of said dial to said dilating element.

5. The dilation system of claim 1, wherein said transmission mechanism comprises a second tubular member fixedly connected to a distal end of the mesh or braid.

6. The dilation system of claim 1, further comprising a handle for housing a proximal portion of said actuating mechanism.

7. The dilation system of claim 6, further comprising the dial movably disposed over a distal portion of the handle and connected to said actuating mechanism.

8. A dilation system for dilating a natural or created track of a body, the dilation system comprising:

a dilating element for insertion into the track of the body, said dilating element comprising a balloon and a mesh or a braid overlaying the balloon, said mesh or braid being expandable along its length to any of a plurality of diameters; and

an actuating mechanism integrally connected to said mesh or braid for restricting the radial expansion of said dilating element to any of the plurality of diameters, the actuating mechanism comprising a dial and a transmission mechanism, the transmission mechanism comprising at least one tubular member fixedly connected to a proximal end of the mesh or braid and including a tongue for engagement with a groove in a handle, the transmission mechanism connected proximally to said dial and distally to said mesh or braid and transferring a longitudinal motion, rotational motion, or a combination thereof from said dial to said mesh or braid.

9. The dilation system of claim 8, wherein said dial further comprises indices.

10. The dilation system of claim 8, wherein said transmission mechanism comprises at least one tubular member selected from the group consisting of a cannula, a rod, a shaft, and a needle.

11. The dilation system of claim 8, wherein said transmission mechanism converts and transfers a rotational motion of said dial to said dilating element.

12. The dilation system of claim 8, wherein said transmission mechanism comprises a tubular member fixedly connected to a distal end of the mesh or braid.

13. The dilation system of claim 8, further comprising the handle for housing a proximal portion of said actuating mechanism.

14. The dilation system of claim 13, further comprising a dial movably disposed over a distal portion of the handle and connected to said actuating mechanism.