摘要 |
An improved catheter design and related methods providing for the illumination of various anatomical structures while placed within a lumen. The catheter can include a drainage conduit, hose or tube that extends from a proximal end connected to a collection bag to a distal end with a catheter head or opening for collecting fluid. An expandable retention balloon is disposed near the distal end and is adapted to expand within the confines of the bladder by injecting a gas or sterile liquid under pressure through a filling tube or channel disposed axially within the catheter. At least one illumination source, such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED) or a fiber optic light source, can be disposed proximate the catheter head. The control of the light source can include a separate channel disposed axially in the catheter from the proximal end to the distal end.
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