Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for dilation of the prostate urethra comprising: an impervious urinary catheter 10 for insertion in the prostate urethra 11, said catheter having a proximal section 14 and a distal section 16; dilation means 18 mounted on said proximal section of the catheter; location means 20 mounted on the catheter at a distance from the dilation means such that the location means is positioned at the bulbous urethra distal from the external sphincter to hold the catheter in place when the dilation means is positioned at the prostate urethra; and activation means located at said distal section of the catheter for activating said dilation means and said location means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for dilation of the prostate urethra comprising: an impervious urinary catheter 10 for insertion in the prostate urethra 11, said catheter having a proximal section 14 and a distal section 16; dilation means 18 mounted on said proximal section of the catheter; location means 20 mounted on the catheter at a distance from the dilation means such that the location means is positioned at the bulbous urethra distal from the external sphincter to hold the catheter in place when the dilation means is positioned at the prostate urethra; and activation means located at said distal section of the catheter for activating said dilation means and said location means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said dilation means is a dilation balloon 18 and said location means is a location balloon 20.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said dilation balloon is made of a multi-layer limited distensible material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said multi-layer limited distensible material comprises an inner and outer layer of silicone and a middle layer of a limited distensible fabric, or an outer layer of silicone and an inner layer of polyester.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said dilation balloon 18 and said location balloon 20 each have a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end 24 of the dilation balloon has an integral protuberance of thicker and stiffer material than the remainder of the balloon.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein a lubricant is placed between the layers of the multi-layered material.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein said catheter has three lumens extending from said proximal section, one lumen 38 in communication with said dilation balloon, one lumen 44 in communication with said location balloon, and one lumen 34 adapted for communication with the bladder of a subject.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia which comprises: inserting into a prostate urethra a hollow, impervious, urinary catheter 10 having dilation means 18 for dilating the prostate urethra and location means 20 for locating the dilation means at the prostate urethra; locating and fixing said location means; placing and dilating said dilation means and thereby dilating the prostate urethra with said dilation means to alleviate obstruction of the prostate urethra resulting from benign prostatic hyperplasia; deactivating said dilation means and location means, and removing said catheter from said prostate urethra.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia which comprises: inserting into a prostate urethra a hollow, impervious, urinary catheter 10 having dilation means 18 for dilating the prostate urethra and location means 20 for locating the dilation means at the prostate urethra; locating and fixing said location means; placing and dilating said dilation means and thereby dilating the prostate urethra with said dilation means to alleviate obstruction of the prostate urethra resulting from benign prostatic hyperplasia; deactivating said dilation means and location means, and removing said catheter from said prostate urethra.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said dilation means is a dilation balloon 18 and said location means is a location balloon 20 and said location balloon is axially mounted on said catheter at a distance from said dilation balloon such that the dilation balloon is positioned at the prostate urethra when the location balloon is positioned at the bulbous urethra distal from the external sphincter, and said location balloon on inflation is sized to fit in the bulbous urethra.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein placement of the dilation balloon 18 is effected by palpation of an integral protuberance on the distal end 24 thereof.