Atraumatic Occlusion Balloons and Skirts, and Methods of Use Thereof

摘要

One aspect of the present invention relates to catheters that can be placed in or around bodily conduits to occlude or widen a biological lumen without imparting significant trauma to the lumen. In certain embodiments, the invention particularly relates to the use of a polymer composition which can be made to gel upon insertion into said balloon or skirt. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at mammalian physiological temperature. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition comprises an optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer.

主权项

1. A method of occluding, widening or stenting a lumen in a mammal, comprising the steps of:
positioning a catheter into said mammalian lumen at a location, wherein said catheter comprises an elongated shaft having an inflation lumen and a balloon connected to a distal end of the elongated shaft so that an interior chamber of the balloon is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen; and wherein an open proximal end of the balloon is in fluid communication with said mammalian lumen; deploying said balloon, via said inflation lumen, with a composition comprising at least one polymer by introducing the composition in a manner sufficient to expand the balloon, wherein said composition gels partially or completely in said balloon.