MINIMALLY INVASIVE RECTAL BALLOON APPARATUS

• US 20080200872A1
• Filed: 02/20/2008
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Radiadyne LLC (AngioDynamics, Inc.)
• Inventors: ISHAM, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,080,031 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/96.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00547 Prostate
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1097 Means for immobilizing the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/10 X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy A61N5/01 takes precedence

Abstract

A rectal balloon apparatus has a shaft with a fluid passageway extending therethrough. A balloon is affixed over an end of the shaft such that the fluid passageway communicates with an interior of the balloon. The balloon has a laterally flat surface thereon when inflated. The laterally flat surface of the balloon has a longitudinal groove formed thereon. The balloon having a pair of bulges formed thereon when the balloon is inflated. A ring is affixed to the shaft adjacent the balloon. The shaft has a plurality of holes formed thereon opening to an interior of the balloon.

Claims

1. A rectal balloon apparatus comprising:

a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough; and

a balloon affixed over an end of said shaft such that said fluid passageway communicates with an interior of said balloon, said balloon movable between a non-inflated condition and a first inflated condition and a second inflated condition, said balloon having a generally laterally flat surface thereon in said first inflated condition, said balloon having a first bulge extending outwardly of said laterally flat surface at a distal end of said balloon.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said balloon movable between said second inflated condition and a third inflated condition, said balloon having a second bulge extending outwardly of said laterally flat surface at an opposite end of said balloon from said first bulge in said third inflated condition.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, said balloon having a groove formed in said laterally flat surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, said groove extending centrally longitudinally along a portion of said laterally flat surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, said groove having a generally rectangular shape.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, said shaft having a ring extending therearound adjacent said balloon.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, said shaft having a plurality of holes formed therein communicating with an interior of said balloon.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, each of said plurality of holes being spaced from and offset by 90°

from an adjacent hole of said plurality of holes.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, said flat surface being generally longitudinally flat when said balloon is in said first inflated condition.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a handle affixed to said shaft at an end opposite said balloon.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, said handle having a tube connecting thereto, said tube communicating with said fluid passageway of said shaft.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, said balloon being formed of a non-latex material.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, said balloon being tightly juxtaposed over said shaft in said non-inflated condition.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, said shaft having indicia formed on an exterior surface thereof relative to a position of said balloon.

15. A rectal balloon apparatus comprising:

a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough; and

a balloon affixed over an end of said shaft such that said fluid passageway communicates with an interior of said balloon, said balloon movable between a non-inflated condition and a first inflated condition and a second inflated condition and a third inflated condition, said balloon having a generally laterally flat surface thereon in said first inflated condition, said balloon having a singly bulge extending outwardly of said flat surface in said second inflated condition, said balloon having a pair of bulges extending outwardly of said flat surface in said third inflated condition.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, said pair of bulges extending outwardly at opposite ends of said balloon.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, said shaft having a ring thereof adjacent a proximal end of said balloon.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, said shaft having a plurality holes formed therein so as to open an interior of said balloon.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, each of said plurality of holes being spaced from and offset by 90°

from an adjacent hole of said plurality of holes around said shaft.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, said pair of bulges being formed with a select amount of fluid pressure introduced into an interior of said balloon.