Patent ID: 8177744
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for treating a living being for bone, tissue and/or duct dilatation comprising the sequential steps of: (a) using an assembly for inserting an inflatable balloon element into an interior region, cavity or passage of a damaged, collapsed or deformed bone, tissue or duct through a first narrow-diameter opening or passageway to position the balloon element at a body location requiring dilatation, the assembly comprising proximal and distal ends and the balloon element having a balloon interior; (b) positioning the balloon element in an uninflated state at the body location; (c) inflating the balloon element with a working fluid supplied through a fluid inlet/outlet to a working pressure and/or volume and for a time period sufficient to dilate the interior region, cavity or passage; (d) deflating the balloon element by withdrawing the working fluid through the fluid inlet/outlet; during and/or subsequent to said deflating step, stretching and/or folding, pleating or wrapping the balloon element to reduce its profile using a spring element capable of temporarily applying at least axial force to the balloon by means of a rod causing the balloon to elongate, or to wrap about the rod, or both, said spring element being housed in a spring housing section located at the proximal end of the assembly; and, (e) withdrawing the previously-inflated balloon element through a narrow-diameter opening or passageway, which may be the same as or different than said first narrow-diameter opening or passageway.