Patent ID: 8899225

Claim:
A device for dilating an opening through a tracheal wall of a patient, comprising: a balloon catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said balloon catheter including an inflatable balloon at said distal end, said inflatable balloon having an outer surface and being adapted to dilate a portion of the tracheal wall upon inflation, said balloon comprising retention structure along said outer surface such that upon inflation of said balloon said retention structure inhibits a dislodgement of said balloon when positioned across said tracheal wall; and a loading dilator, said loading dilator having a distal end and having a lumen extending therethrough, said balloon catheter receivable in said dilator lumen such that said balloon catheter distal end extends distal to said loading dilator distal end; wherein said retention structure comprises a pair of spaced elements radially projecting from said balloon outer surface, said elements spaced along said balloon outer surface such that each of said elements is disposed at an opposite side of said tracheal wall when said balloon is inserted into said tracheal wall opening.