Atraumatic Occlusion Balloons and Skirts, and Methods of Use Thereof

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention relates to catheters that can be placed in or around bodily conduits to occlude or widen a biological lumen without imparting significant trauma to the lumen. In certain embodiments, the invention particularly relates to the use of a polymer composition which can be made to gel upon insertion into said balloon or skirt. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at mammalian physiological temperature. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition comprises an optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer.

1 . A method of occluding, widening or stenting a lumen in a mammal, comprising the steps of:
 positioning a catheter into said mammalian lumen at a location, wherein said catheter comprises an elongated shaft having an inflation lumen and a balloon connected to a distal end of the elongated shaft so that an interior chamber of the balloon is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen; and wherein an open proximal end of the balloon is in fluid communication with said mammalian lumen;   deploying said balloon, via said inflation lumen, with a composition comprising at least one polymer by introducing the composition in a manner sufficient to expand the balloon, wherein said composition gels partially or completely in said balloon.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method is substantially atraumatic to said mammalian lumen. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammalian lumen is temporarily occluded. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammalian lumen is permanently occluded. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one polymer is at least one purified inverse thermo sensitive polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said purified inverse thermosensitive polymer has a polydispersity index from about 1.5 to about 1.0. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said purified inverse thermosensitive polymer has a polydispersity index from about 1.2 to about 1.0. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said purified inverse thermo sensitive polymer has a polydispersity index from about 1.1 to about 1.0. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said purified inverse thermo sensitive polymer is a polyoxyalkylene block copolymer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said purified inverse thermo sensitive polymer is selected from the group consisting of poloxamers and poloxamines. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said purified inverse thermosensitive polymer is selected from the group consisting of poloxamer 407, poloxamer 338, poloxamer 118, Tetronic® 1107 and Tetronic® 1307. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said purified inverse thermo sensitive polymer is poloxamer 407. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammal is a human. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammalian lumen is an artery, a vein, a kidney, a gall bladder, a ureter, a urinary bladder, a pancreatic duct, a fallopian tube, a sinus, a tear duct, a salivary gland, lumens or other cavities of the lymphatic system, a colon, a small intestine or a large intestine. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammalian lumen is an artery. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammalian lumen is a gun shot wound or a laceration. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammalian lumen is calcified. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method is part of a surgical procedure; and said location is a surgical site. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said surgical site is at or proximal to a hemorrhage, cancerous tissue, tumor, or organ. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said surgical procedure comprises anastomosis. 
     
     
         21 - 22 . (canceled)