A catheter delivery system (10) includes: (i) an introducer sheath (12); (ii) a catheter (14) disposed at least partially within the introducer sheath and movable axial along the introducer sheath; (iii) an invaginating tube (16) sealably secured at or near a first axial end (16a) of the invaginating tube to the introducer sheath at or near a first axial end (12 a) of the introducer sheath; (iv) a runner (28) slidably connected to the catheter; (v) the invaginating tube being sealably secured at or near a second axial end (16b) of the invaginating tube to the runner, such that the runner with inavaginating tube secured thereto is sealably connected to the catheter and movable axially along at least a portion of the catheter; and (vi) means for pressurising the annular space defined between the introducer sheath, the catheter and the invaginating tube.

A delivery system (10, 110) is provided for delivering and deploying an implantable balloon-based occlusion device (20) including an inflatable balloon (22). The delivery system (10, 110) includes a delivery handle (11), which includes a fluid-retaining chamber (41, 141); a plunger, which is slidingly disposed in the fluid-retaining chamber (41, 141); and a proximal rotatable user-control knob (31). A fluid-conveyance lumen catheter (18) defines a catheter fluid-conveyance lumen (19) in fluid communication with the fluid-retaining chamber (41, 141) and the inflatable balloon (22). A catheter lumen shaft (26) is in reversible connection with the balloon-based occlusion device (20), longitudinally slidable with respect to the delivery handle (11). The delivery handle (11) is configured such that rotation of the proximal rotatable user-control knob (31) in a first rotational direction concurrently (a) expels at least some of the fluid from the fluid-retaining chamber (41, 141) into the inflatable balloon (22), via the catheter fluid-conveyance lumen (19), and (b) shortens a length of the balloon-based occlusion device (20) by proximally pulling the catheter lumen shaft (26). Other embodiments are also described.

A balloon catheter includes a shaft inserted into a body; a balloon attached to the shaft on a distal end side and is expandable by an expansion fluid supplied from a side of a proximal end of the shaft; an elastic band wound around an outer periphery of an intermediate portion between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion of the balloon , and is configured to limit expansion of the balloon at the intermediate portion; and a covering member covering an outer periphery of the elastic band. The balloon is expandable to a maximum expansion diameter from a folded state, in accordance with pressure of the expansion fluid, the elastic band is expandable beyond the secured diameter, by being elastically deformed by the balloon expanding, and the covering member is expandable by being elastically deformed by the balloon or the elastic band expanding.

A balloon catheter (10) with a shaft (14,24) extending in a longitudinal direction and having a proximal end and a distal end and an inflatable balloon positioned along the shaft. The balloon (12) includes at least one portion connected to the shaft and adapted for moving toward the proximal end thereof when the balloon is inflated. Related aspects are disclosed.

An apparatus is provided that is operable in different modes to perform various functions for treating a body lumen. The apparatus includes a shaft including proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending there between, and a balloon on the distal end. The apparatus includes a valve on the distal end that selectively opens or closes an outlet communicating with the lumen. With the valve open, fluid introduced into the lumen exits the outlet into a body lumen. With the valve closed, fluid introduced into the lumen expands the balloon. The valve may be biased to be closed, e.g., by a spring element disposed within the balloon. Optionally, the apparatus also includes an actuator for expanding a helical member within the balloon interior, e.g., either before or after expanding the balloon, such that the helical member and balloon may adopt an expanded helical shape for removing material within a body lumen.

Hemostasis systems and related methods are generally described. In some embodiments, a hemostasis system may include an inflatable intrauterine balloon. The balloon may be configured to apply pressure to a patient's uterus to reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. In some embodiments, the balloon may be inserted at least partially into the uterus and inflated. A support, which may be located inside the balloon, may expand from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration to help maintain the balloon's position relative to the cervix when the balloon is inflated. In some embodiments, the support may contract with and/or due to deflation of the balloon, allowing the balloon to move out of the uterus. The balloon may be covered with a hemostatic covering (e.g., gauze preloaded with a hemostatic agent such as hexatomic acid) to enhance the balloon's hemostasis properties.

A catheter insertable into a patient for monitoring pressure having an expandable outer balloon. An expandable inner balloon is positioned within the lumen of the catheter and has having a second outer wall and forms a gas chamber to monitor pressure within the patient. In response to pressure exerted on the outer wall of the outer balloon, fluid within the outer balloon enters an opening in the wall of the catheter lumen to exert a pressure on the outer wall of the expanded inner balloon to deform the inner balloon and compress the gas within the inner balloon. A pressure sensor communicates with the gas containing chamber for measuring pressure based on compression of gas caused by deformation of the expanded inner balloon resulting from deformation of the expanded outer balloon.

A method of treating a patient's joint having opposing joint surfaces includes providing an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end and an expandable member near the distal end. The expandable member is positioned in the joint between the joint surfaces and expanded so as to separate the joint surfaces away from one another into a distracted position. The joint is manipulated while in the distracted position so that the joint is distracted and in flexion. A diagnostic or therapeutic procedure is then performed on the joint while maintaining the joint in the flexed and distracted position.

A rapid exchange balloon catheter including: an outer conduit having a lumen and a wall surrounding the lumen, the wall including a lateral opening formed therein; an inner conduit having a proximal end and a distal end; a sealing sleeve for sealing the lateral opening of the outer conduit; a balloon whose proximal margin is attached to the outer surface of the distal end of the outer conduit, and whose distal margin is attached to the outer surface of the portion of the inner conduit that extends beyond the distal end of the outer conduit; a pushing-pulling mechanism disposed in the outer conduit; and a fluid port for the introduction of an expansion fluid and for the removal of the expansion fluid.

The invention relates to devices (1) for draining or closing a natural or artificial bladder outlet by means of a balloon body (3) made of preferably micro-scale thin-walled Polyurethane, which has a vesical anchor, is transurethrally sealing and is extended into the urethra or through the urethra. According to the invention, the balloon body is seated on a shaft body (2) supporting the balloon, and the filling of the balloon body is preferably done with air.