Smart Balloon Catheters for Diagnosis and Therapy of Narrowing Lumen
Summary Modern techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of narrowing of lumen can use dilating balloon catheters. A common risk with such procedures -- for instance, in the case of peptic and non-peptic strictures, or the sweeping of ducts -- is the improper dilation of the balloon catheter. In the case of under-dilation, the effect of the catheterization on an obstruction may be insufficient, while in the case of overdilation, the over-expanded balloon catheter can cause cracks on the lumen, or in the extreme, may cause an aneurysm or tear. As a result, neither the speed of dilation nor the ultimate diameter of dilation can be controlled. Instead a fixed balloon is generally inflated to its maximal size.A smart balloon catheter device has been developed to remove the element of sensory blindness experienced by the surgeon, thereby enabling differentiation of narrowing lumen etiologies that can be critical to patient treatment. The patent-pending surgical device includes a series of real-time pressure, volume and diameter sensing features along with a feedback system to control the dilation of the balloon. As a result, a controlled gradual, or stepwise, dilation of the balloon can be achieved which will provide new functionality to the surgeon.
Applications The etiology of lumen narrowings may be difficult to distinguish owing to similarities in radiological or endoscopic appearances; moreover, treatments for these entities are quite different. Primary applications will involve the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal lumenal narrowing including peptic or post-surgical strictures, muscular rings, achalasia, pyloric stenosis, and Hirschsprung's disease.
In general surgical applications (e.g., cardiovascular, genitourinary, biliary, pancreatic) of the smart balloon catheter will enable:
-Enhanced diagnosis and characterization of narrowing in a lumen -Therapeutic dilation and sweeping of ducts (e.g., removal of concretions including gallstones and kidney stones)
-Manometric positioning and correction of a catheter in a lumen -Controlled stepwise dilation of a balloon catheter -Simultaneous pressure and distance monitoring of a lumen during dilation -Control of lumen compliance dilation endpoints based on the etiology of the lumen For Further Information Please Contact the Director of Business Development Michal Preminger Email: [email protected] Telephone: (617) 432-0920
Inventor(s): Mashimo, Hiroshi
Type of Offer: Licensing
« More Medical Devices Patents