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Abstract

A self-sealing catheter apparatus and method are disclosed which are broadly useful in medical surgery and particularly to perform cholangiography or in connection with perfusion of the coronary arteries during open heart surgery. The catheter provides means for sealing a duct and introducing dye into the duct once the catheter has been placed inside of the duct. An inflatable balloon sleeve and adjacent reservoir are mounted near the distal end of the catheter. The distal end of the catheter is inserted into the duct until the reservoir contacts the outer wall of the duct and the balloon sleeve is thus located inside of the duct. Then, the reservoir is depressed forcing the fluid contained therein to inflate the balloon sleeve. The inflated balloon sleeve not only seals the duct against the passage of fluids therethrough, but also holds the catheter in place inside of the duct. The dye is then introduced into the duct via the catheter lumen.

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First Claim