Patent ID: 9554840
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A device for performing a surgical procedure, the device comprising: an elongate shaft comprising an inner surface defining a lumen, the elongate shaft comprising a primary region having a first diameter and a secondary region having a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter, the elongate shaft comprising a transition region that is tapered continuously between the primary region and the secondary region, the elongate shaft comprising a smooth outer surface along an entire length of the shaft; an inflatable structure including a proximal end region coupled to a distal end region of the primary region and a distal end region coupled to the secondary region such that the secondary region and the transition region each extend at least partially within an inflatable chamber of the inflatable structure; and a stylet movably positioned within the lumen and configured to provide additional rigidity to the secondary region, wherein a distal end region of the secondary region comprises a distal end surface that defines a completely closed distal end of the shaft that is configured to prevent unwanted material ingress into the lumen, the distal end surface defining a distal stop for the stylet such that a tip of the stylet engages the distal end surface.