Patent ID: 11160956

Abstract:
A dilator system for arterial and venous cannulas, where there is a smooth transition between the dilator and the outer wall of the cannula. One aspect of the subject technology provides a blunt-tip cannula that is used as a dilator for insertion of an arterial or venous cannula. The balloon might either be a single diameter or may have a larger diameter at the distal portion such that the diameter of the distal portion of the balloon dilator matches the diameter of the cannula at the tip. Another aspect of the subject technology is a balloon dilator for cannulae that may be positioned over a guidewire, for guidewire-directed placement of a cannula within a vessel, duct, lumen or heart structure of the body. Another aspect of the subject technology is an inflation system for the balloon dilator, such that the balloon dilator may be deflated and quickly removed from the cannula after the cannula has been positioned and secured within the vessel, duct, lumen or heart structure. Another aspect of the subject technology includes a stiffening element in the balloon dilator along its shaft to increase the rigidity of the combined balloon dilator and cannula to provide improved ease of insertion. Another aspect of the subject technology is an improved curvature of the shape of the right angle dilator that achieves more uniform flow within the dilator and ease of insertion and more even flow within the cannula, and ease of insertion of and retraction of the balloon dilator. Another aspect of the subject technology is a gel-filled balloon dilator that improves ease of insertion of the cannula within the vessel, duct, lumen or heart structure, and can be removed without deflation.