The invention relates to a method for filling an inflatable catheter balloon of a device for transanally introducing an infusion into the rectum or colon of a patient by means of a filling device, wherein a fill volume or a filling pressure prevailing in the catheter balloon is until there occurs a gradual, user-controllable, pneumatically initiated expansion of portions of the bowel wall, thus triggering a coordinated defecation reflex, wherein the timing and intensity of the triggering stimulus can be determined to the greatest possible extent by the user.

The invention relates to a device for transanally introducing an infusion into the rectum or colon of a patient, said device comprising a catheter with a catheter shaft wherein, to ensure the most practicable catheter insertion possible, the catheter shaft is equipped in the proximal, preanal region with gripping depressions to accommodate the fingers gripping the catheter during insertion.

The invention relates to a device for transanally introducing an infusion into the rectum or colon of a patient, said device comprising a catheter with a catheter shaft and an inflatable balloon, comprising a distal terminal balloon section of larger radius and generally spherical or discoid shape, and, disposed proximal to this distal terminal balloon section, a tapered balloon section having a reduced radius, the tapered balloon section of the device being adapted to be placed transanally, such that the enlarged distal terminal balloon section is placed intrarectally wherein the balloon is fixed onto the catheter shaft only at fixation points located at the ends of the balloon, wherein both balloon ends taper approximately to a shaft dimension of the catheter shaft supporting the balloon; according to the present invention, the difference between the larger radius of the distal terminal balloon section and the reduced radius of the proximally adjacent, tapered balloon section is either in the pressurized state of the balloon at 30 mbar, smaller than the difference between the larger radius of the distal terminal balloon section and the reduced radius of the proximally adjacent, tapered balloon section in the pressurized state of the balloon at 100 mbar, or is in the inflated, but unpressurized state of the balloon greater than the distance between the distal end of the catheter shaft on the one hand and the distal fixation point of the balloon to the catheter shaft on the other hand.

A method for maintaining a balloon of a balloon catheter at a prescribed pressure of between about 0.2 psi and 1 psi comprises the step of: generating a vacuum within a reservoir defined in a burette that is part of a fluid management system that is configured to controllably inflating and deflating the balloon by circulating balloon fill media along a fluid circuit, wherein generating the vacuum results in formation of a pressure differential along the fluid circuit, thereby allowing the balloon to be maintained at the prescribed pressure between about 0.2 psi and about 1 psi.

An apparatus according to certain embodiments generally includes an elongated tubular member having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, and an inflatable balloon surrounding the distal end. The elongated tubular member comprises an outer tube, a non-collapsible inner tube positioned within the outer tube, and a compressible material positioned between the outer tube and the inner tube.

Valves and valve systems are provided that are useful for integration with inflatable indwelling medical devices to prevent over-inflation of retention balloon.

Methods and devices quickly and accurately locate the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) while performing a sphenopalatine ganglion block procedure that introduces a medication to the SPG. The methods and devices also prevent the medication applied to the SPG from flowing down a patient's throat during the procedure.

In one embodiment, the present application discloses, in part, a balloon catheter assembly comprising: a) a balloon catheter comprising a proximal end, a distal end; and b) a connecting line comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end comprises a first terminal magnetic connector for forming a water tight connection with the magnetic click connector on the port panel.

Disclosed herein are inflators and methods of using the inflators for inflating inflatable devices, such as balloons, used in medical procedures. Such procedures include angioplasty and the transcatheter delivery of prosthetic heart valves and stents. The inflators overcome the resistances typically generated during such procedures and reduces the force required to fully inflate the balloon.

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.