Importance

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Abstract

A dilation balloon catheter is disclosed comprising a non-compliant balloon attached to a catheter, the balloon portion includes a plurality of sections having different outer diameters, as measured at the central portion or midpoint of the section, when the balloon is inflated. In one embodiment that is deployable from an endoscope to treat esophageal, pyloric, or colonic strictures, a series of progressively larger balloon sections are used to safely dilate the stricture in stages. Each section includes a central portion having a waist for centering the balloon over the stricture, with the distal section having the smallest diameter and the intermediate and proximal sections being about 2 and 4 mm larger, respectively. A wire guide extends throughout the length of the catheter and balloon and forms a distal portion of the dilation balloon catheter for assisting in cannulation of the stricture. Optionally, the dilation balloon catheter can include a series of bands or other markings to indicate the location of the different balloon sections. These indicia can be located on the wire guide or the balloon material and may be radiopaque.

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First Claim