Prostatic urethra dilatation catheter system and method

Abstract

An improved instrument for and method of performing a transurethral balloon dilatation procedure of the prostate is disclosed. The instrument includes a hollow catheter comprising a shaft having at least its distal end portion made of an optically transparent material, and a substantially non-compliant, inflatable, optically transparent balloon attached at the distal end portion of the catheter and sized to dilate the prostatic urethra so as to post-operatively open that passageway. The catheter is provided with at least one suitable marking so as to indicate at least the location where the proximal end of the balloon is attached to the catheter body. Preferably, the marking is provided at a location that when positioned at visible landmarks, preferably the external sphinter, or the apex or verumontanum of the prostate, the balloon will be correctly positioned relative to the external sphincter muscle at the apex of the prostate. The shaft of the catheter is dimension so that a standard viewing instrument such as an optic of a commercially available endoscope can be moved through the shaft and utilized to locate the balloon relative to the relevant anatomical landmarks of the prostate before and during the dilatation procedure.