A multistage balloon catheter that uses a single lumen to inflate a balloon in stages is disclosed. A fluid port provides fluid communication from an inflation lumen in the balloon catheter to the inner volume of a distal balloon. The distal balloon expands as fluid in delivered to the inner volume of the distal balloon. Once inflated, the pressure continues to rise until a threshold pressure is exceeded. A pressure sensitive inflation valve provides fluid communication into an inner volume of a second balloon disposed at least partially proximal to the distal balloon. The pressure sensitive valve allows fluid communication into the second balloon once the threshold pressure is reached in the first balloon thereby inflating the second balloon.

A rectal drainage appliance is disclosed comprising a tubular element having an inflatable balloon at a distal end for anchoring the appliance in the rectum. The appliance includes one or more of: (i) first and second auxiliary lumens communicating with the inflatable balloon to provide independent inflation and pressure monitoring paths coupled to the balloon; (ii) a pressure state indicator defined by a mechanical element configured to flip between first and second states or shapes responsive to sensed pressure; and (iii) a collapsible auxiliary lumen larger than the inflation lumen, and configured to permit admission of irrigation fluid. The pressure state indicator may also be used in intestinal drains.

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.

A device for dilating an ostium of a paranasal sinus of a human or animal subject may include: a handle; an elongate shaft having a proximal end coupled with the handle and extending to a distal end; a guidewire disposed through at least a portion of the shaft lumen; a dilator having a non-expanded configuration and an expanded configuration; and a slide member coupled with at least one of the guidewire or the dilator through the longitudinal opening of the shaft for advancing the guidewire and/or the dilator relative to the shaft.

A balloon guide catheter system including a balloon guide catheter having a catheter shaft that includes: (i) a main lumen; (ii) an inflation lumen; and (iii) an exhaust lumen. The terminating distal end of the inflation lumen and the terminating distal end of the exhaust lumen being in localized fluid communication with one another underneath the balloon while in a non-inflated state. A balloon is disposed about a distal region of an outer surface of the catheter shaft. The exhaust lumen is configured to purge the residual air in a proximal direction and out from a proximal region of the balloon guide catheter.

An inflatable structure for use in biological lumens and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The structure can have an inflatable balloon encircled by a shell. The shell can have proximal and distal tapered necks, longitudinally-oriented flutes, and apertures at the proximal and distal ends of the shell. The apertures can be recessed in the flutes in the necks. The shell can also have fiber reinforced walls.

A joint-spacing balloon catheter comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; first and second balloons mounted to the distal end of the shaft, the first balloon being disposed distal to, and spaced from, the second balloon, with the portion of the shaft between the first and second balloons being flexible; and a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft.

The present application relates to a catheter apparatus including a tubular member, and four or more fluid-flow pipe members, each having a proximal end and a distal end, and each being disposed around a periphery of the tubular member along an axial direction thereof. Each of the four or more fluid-flow pipe members is provided with an independent positioning member at the distal end thereof, and the number of positioning members is four or more. A brachytherapy system and a method of reducing area of radiation exposure of normal tissue in a brachytherapy treatment using the catheter apparatus are also disclosed.

Device for gravity-driven, particularly continuous, control of the filling pressure in a balloon catheter (3), comprising: a balloon reservoir that is statically loaded with a vertically guided weight guide or stamp (9) that weighs vertically on the balloon reservoir, wherein said weight guide or stamp is designed to carry vertically arranged and therewith plumb-vertically acting weight elements (8), and wherein the balloon reservoir is guided in a cylindrical shell (6).

A system for endoscopic surgery within a body lumen of a patient including a flexible catheter having an expandable balloon at a distal portion and an access opening. The expandable balloon is expandable from a collapsed insertion configuration to an expanded configuration to provide an expanded chamber on a first side of the catheter. The access opening provides a window to access target tissue. The catheter includes a lumen dimensioned to receive an endoscopic instrument therethrough such that a distal end of the endoscopic instrument is positionable within the expanded chamber and angled laterally within the expanded chamber to access the target tissue through the window.