APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AIDING ORGAN TREATMENT

摘要

A medical apparatus includes a catheter having an inflatable balloon at its distal end. The balloon defines at least two spaced larger diameter areas defining a valley therebetween and is adapted to be inserted in a non-inflated condition into a cavity of the human body such as the rectum, and when inflated, is adapted to cradle an organ such as the prostate located in a different body cavity. The balloon is symmetric about an axis defined by the catheter so that positioning issues are limited to axial positioning rather than rotational positioning. Because of the valley in the balloon, when the balloon is inflated, only a limited portion of the rectum is necessarily pushed into contact with the prostate, and thus, the radiation toxicity to the rectum is limited. Methods utilizing the medical apparatus are disclosed.

主权项

1. A medical apparatus, comprising:
a catheter defining a first lumen and having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; and at least one inflatable balloon located about said distal end, said at least one inflatable balloon being in communication with said first lumen and having a deflated position and an inflated position, wherein in said inflated position said at least one balloon includes first and second larger diameter areas defining a valley therebetween, said at least one inflatable balloon being symmetrical about said longitudinal axis, said at least one inflatable balloon adapted to being pressurized to a pressure of at least 6 psi, the length of said at least one inflatable balloon being between substantially 8 cm and 16 cm and the outer diameters of said first and second spaced larger diameter areas being between substantially 4 and 10 cm and between 20% and 40% larger than an outer diameter of said valley.