Patent ID: 6503265
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method of treating a human patient by inserting a balloon into the sternocostal space of the patient in the proximity of the heart, said method comprising:providing a diamond shaped bladder adapted for insertion into the sternocostal space of the patient, said bladder having an anterior surface and a posterior surface and a center axis running through the upper and lower points of the diamond shaped bladder, the posterior surface of the diamond shaped bladder having rails which bulge posteriorly from the major portion of the bladder and are roughly parallel to the center axis; inserting the diamond shaped bladder into the sternocostal space of the patient, and positioning the diamond shaped bladder so that the posterior surface opposes the anterior surface of the heart; repeatedly inflating and deflating the diamond shaped bladder within the sternocostal space of the patient.