Airway balloon dilator
First Claim
1. An apparatus for performing an airway balloon dilation procedure at the site of a stenosis in the airway of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
- a central axis;
a hollow core adapted to allow the patient to be ventilated therethrough;
an inflatable outer balloon having an external surface; and
at least one inflatable inner balloon,the apparatus being insertable into the airway of a patient for movement of the balloons therein between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration, the at least one inner balloon configured to inflate inside the outer balloon yet separately from the outer balloon, wherein during inflation the balloon pressures are between about 3 atmospheres and about 30 atmospheres.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical apparatus for widening a stenosis in the airway of a patient which includes a central hollow core, an inflatable outer balloon, and at least one inner balloon inside the outer balloon. The apparatus also can include a flexible support member mounted on the external surface of the outer balloon with at least one microsurgical blade. The outer balloon can be dumbbell-shaped to keep the balloon in position over the stenosis when the balloon is inflated. The hollow core allows the patient to be ventilated during the procedure, the inner balloon(s) allow higher dilation pressures to be generated from inside the outer balloon, and the blade can form an effective cutting edge upon inflation of the outer balloon.
50 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for performing an airway balloon dilation procedure at the site of a stenosis in the airway of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a central axis; a hollow core adapted to allow the patient to be ventilated therethrough; an inflatable outer balloon having an external surface; and at least one inflatable inner balloon, the apparatus being insertable into the airway of a patient for movement of the balloons therein between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration, the at least one inner balloon configured to inflate inside the outer balloon yet separately from the outer balloon, wherein during inflation the balloon pressures are between about 3 atmospheres and about 30 atmospheres. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for performing an airway balloon dilation procedure at the site of a stenosis in the airway of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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(1) inserting an apparatus into the airway, the apparatus including a central axis, a hollow core adapted to allow the patient to be ventilated therethrough, an inflatable outer balloon having an external surface, and at least one inflatable inner balloon, wherein the inner diameter of the hollow core is from about 2.0 mm to about 3.0 mm, the apparatus being insertable into the airway of a patient for movement of the balloons therein between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration, the at least one inner balloon configured to inflate inside the outer balloon yet separately from the outer balloon; (2) advancing the apparatus within the airway until the outer balloon is positioned within the area of the stenosis; and (3) inflating the balloons to cause and allow the external surface of the balloon to expand upon and dilate the stenosis, wherein during inflation the balloon pressures are between about 3 atmospheres and about 30 atmospheres. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for performing an airway balloon dilation procedure at the site of a stenosis in the airway of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a central axis; a hollow core adapted to allow the patient to be ventilated therethrough, wherein the inner diameter of the hollow core is from about 2.0 mm to about 3.0 mm; an inflatable, dumbbell-shaped outer balloon having an external surface; at least one inflatable inner balloon, wherein during inflation the balloon pressures are between about 3 atmospheres and about 30 atmospheres; a flexible support member mounted along the central axis of the apparatus and on the external surface of the outer balloon, the flexible support member being substantially compliant with the external surface of the outer balloon during movement therewith; and at least one microsurgical blade attached to the support member and adapted to form an effective cutting edge upon inflation of the outer balloon, the apparatus being insertable into the airway of a patient for movement of the balloons therein between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration, the at least one inner balloon configured to inflate inside the outer balloon yet separately from the outer balloon, the dumbbell shape of the outer balloon adapted to hold the outer balloon in position over the stenosis, and the at least one blade adapted to form an effective cutting edge upon inflation of the outer balloon. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification