Patent ID: 8177806

Claim:
A method of removing gas from a dilation catheter, the method comprising: using a dilation catheter comprising: an elongated tubular member having a distal end and a proximal end; a proximal handle proximate the proximal end of the tubular member; and an inflatable balloon proximate the distal end of the tubular member, the inflatable balloon being in fluid communication with a fluid port to supply inflation liquid to the inflatable balloon, the inflatable balloon including an opening in a wall of the inflatable balloon that is radially outward of the elongate tubular member for permitting gas to exit the inflatable balloon; injecting inflation liquid into the balloon through the fluid port so as to force gas in the balloon to exit through the opening; and after gas is removed from the balloon, substantially closing the opening; wherein the dilation catheter includes a one-way valve configured to selectively allow only the gas to pass through the opening, wherein the step of substantially closing the opening includes contacting the inflation liquid to the one-way valve; and wherein the one-way valve includes a barrier material that allows gas to pass through the opening while preventing passage of inflation liquid therethrough.