Systems and methods for examining hollow organs
US11918360B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 2021 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2005/0663
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present disclosure provides diagnostic methods for evaluating a urinary bladder and methods of enhancing the visibility of the bladder from outside of a patient. The method includes introducing urinary catheter having a proximal end and a distal end into a patient's urinary bladder by way of the urethra, the urinary catheter including an outer tubular member including an inflatable balloon disposed thereon, and a visualization stylet that is slidably disposable within a passage defined in the outer tubular member. The method further includes inflating the inflatable member inside of the bladder, inflating the bladder with a liquid to enhance visualization of an inner surface of the bladder, illuminating a light source through the inflatable member to illuminate the inner surface of the bladder, and visualizing an inner portion of the bladder using the visualization stylet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.