Minimally invasive rectal balloon apparatus
View Patent ↗A rectal balloon apparatus has a shaft with a fluid passageway extending therethrough. A balloon is affixed over an end of the shaft such that the fluid passageway communicates with an interior of the balloon. The balloon has a laterally flat surface thereon when inflated. The laterally flat surface of the balloon has a longitudinal groove formed thereon. A valve assembly is affixed to the shaft at an end opposite the balloon. The valve assembly selectively allows a fluid to pass therethrough to move the balloon from a non-inflated condition to an inflated condition. A fluid introducing means is removably attached to the valve assembly to introduce the fluid into the valve assembly.
1. A prostate immobilizing rectal balloon, said rectal balloon comprising:
a. a flexible shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough and having a distal end and a proximal end,
b. one balloon having an upper portion, a bottom portion, a distal end near said distal end of said shaft and a proximal end that is affixed to said shaft, such that said fluid passageway communicates with an interior of said balloon,
c. wherein said balloon comprises a top layer, a middle layer and a bottom layer, said layers bonded together along their edges to form said balloon,
d. wherein said middle layer is connected to said top layer at a groove,
e. wherein said balloon has a non-inflated position,
f. wherein said balloon has an inflated position wherein said upper portion is generally laterally flat and said bottom portion is rounded, said groove forming a central seating area that is configured to engage with a prostate when inflated.
2. The prostate immobilizing rectal balloon of claim 1 , said groove extending centrally longitudinally along said upper portion.
3. The prostate immobilizing rectal balloon of claim 1 , said groove having a generally rectangular shape.
4. The prostate immobilizing rectal balloon of claim 1 , wherein said balloon comprises a non-latex material.
5. The prostate immobilizing rectal balloon of claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve slidably affixed over said shaft and not attached to said balloon and being movable between a first position overlying said balloon and a second position away from said balloon.
6. The prostate immobilizing rectal balloon of claim 1 , said sleeve having a first portion frangibly joined to a second portion, said first portion having a tab extending outwardly from one end thereof, said second portion having a tab extending outwardly from one end thereof.
7. The prostate immobilizing rectal balloon of claim 1 , further comprising a valve means affixed to said shaft at said proximal end, said valve means for selectively allowing a fluid to pass through said shaft to said balloon so as to move said balloon from said non-inflated condition to said first inflated condition.
8. The prostate immobilizing rectal balloon of claim 7 , said valve means having a port thereon.
9. The prostate immobilizing rectal balloon of claim 8 , further comprising a fluid introducing means releasably connected to said port for introducing fluid into an interior of said balloon so as to move said balloon from said non-inflated condition to said inflated condition.
10. The prostate immobilizing rectal balloon of claim 1 , said non-inflated condition being a vacuum such that said balloon resides tightly over said shaft.
11. A method of treating a prostate, comprising inserting a prostate immobilizing rectal balloon into a rectum of a patient, said rectal balloon comprising:
a flexible shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough and having a distal end and a proximal end,
a balloon having an upper portion, a bottom portion, a distal end near said distal end of said shaft and a proximal end that is affixed to said shaft, such that said fluid passageway communicates with an interior of said balloon,
wherein said balloon comprises a top layer, a middle layer and a bottom layer, said layers bonded together along their edges to form said balloon,
wherein said middle layer is connected to said top layer at a groove,
wherein said balloon has a non-inflated position,
wherein said balloon has an inflated position wherein said upper portion is generally laterally flat and said bottom portion is rounded, said groove forming a central seating area that is configured to engage with a prostate when inflated;
and inflating said balloon such that said prostate engages with said groove.