Features to enhance grip of balloon within airway

Abstract

A dilation assembly includes a shaft and a dilator coupled with the distal end of the shaft. The dilator includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a center portion positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. The center portion dilates from a first configuration to a second configuration. The center portion has a larger diameter than the proximal end and the distal end when the center portion is in the second configuration. At least one gripping feature is positioned on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the center portion. The gripping feature provides friction between the center portion and a bodily lumen when the center portion is in the second configuration.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A dilation assembly, wherein the dilation assembly comprises:
 (a) a shaft, comprising a distal end and a proximal end; and   (b) a dilator coupled with the distal end of the shaft, wherein the dilator comprises:
 (i) a proximal end, 
 (ii) a distal end, 
 (iii) a center portion positioned between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the center portion is dilatable to have a larger diameter than the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the center portion is configured to dilate from a first configuration to a second configuration, and 
 (iv) at least one gripping feature positioned on at least a portion of an exterior surface of the center portion, wherein the gripping feature is configured to provide friction between the center portion of the dilator and a bodily lumen when the center portion is in the second configuration. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dilation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft and dilator are sized to fit within an airway of a patient. 
     
     
         3 . The dilation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft and dilator are sized to fit within an ostium of a sinus. 
     
     
         4 . The dilation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping feature comprises a corrugated surface. 
     
     
         5 . The dilation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping feature comprises a plurality of knobs, wherein the knobs are flexible such that the knobs are configured to expand as the center portion expands from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The dilation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping feature comprises a plurality of knobs, wherein the knobs comprise micro-protrusions such that the knobs are applied to the center portion, wherein the knobs are configured to retain a constant shape as the center portion expands from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The dilation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping feature comprises a coating, wherein the coating comprises polyurethane or neoprene. 
     
     
         8 . The dilation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping feature comprises a non-slip material, wherein the non-slip material is adhered to the exterior surface of the center portion. 
     
     
         9 . The dilation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping feature is aligned in alternating longitudinal rows along a length of the center portion. 
     
     
         10 . The dilation assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the center portion is configured to be wrapped, wherein the longitudinal rows of gripping features are configured to be folded underneath the exterior surface of the center portion when the center portion is wrapped. 
     
     
         11 . The dilation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping feature comprises at least one non-slip element, wherein the non-slip element is configured to wrap around the center portion, wherein the non-slip element comprises a point configured to engage the bodily lumen. 
     
     
         12 . The dilation assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the gripping feature comprises a base, wherein the base is configured to be positioned between the non-slip element and the dilator such that the base is configured to fix the non-slip element at a longitudinal position along the dilator. 
     
     
         13 . The dilation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping feature comprises a net. 
     
     
         14 . The dilation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping feature comprises a first collar, a second collar, and at least one scoring element, wherein the scoring element is positioned between the first collar and the second collar, wherein the first collar is translatable relative to the dilator such that the first collar is operable to expand the scoring element from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         15 . The dilation assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the dilator is operable to expand the scoring element to the second position when the dilator is expanded to the second configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The dilation assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the gripping feature comprises an actuator, wherein the actuator is operable to translate the first collar relative to the dilator to expand the scoring element to the second position. 
     
     
         17 . A dilation assembly, wherein the dilation assembly comprises:
 (a) a shaft, comprising a distal end and a proximal end; and   (b) a dilator coupled with the distal end of the shaft, wherein the dilator comprises:
 (i) a first anchor portion, wherein the first anchor portion is configured to receive fluid via a first conduit, wherein the first anchor portion is dilatable from a first size to a second size in response to receiving fluid via the first conduit, and 
 (ii) a second anchor portion adjacent to the first anchor portion, wherein the second anchor portion is configured to receive fluid via a second conduit, wherein the second anchor portion is dilatable from a first size to a second size in response to receiving fluid via the second conduit, 
 wherein the second size of the first anchor portion is larger than the second size of the second anchor portion, 
 wherein one or both of the first anchor portion or the second anchor portion are sized to engage a bodily lumen when the first and second anchors are dilated to the respective second sizes. 
   
     
     
         18 . The dilation assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the first anchor portion is proximal to the second anchor portion. 
     
     
         19 . The dilation assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the dilator further comprises a third anchor portion adjacent to the second anchor portion, wherein the third anchor portion is distal to the second anchor portion, wherein the third anchor portion is configured to receive fluid via a third conduit, wherein the third anchor portion is dilatable from a first size to a second size in response to receiving fluid via the third conduit. 
     
     
         20 . A dilation kit, wherein the dilation kit comprises:
 (a) a dilator assembly, wherein the dilator assembly comprises a dilator configured to dilate from a first position to a second position, wherein the dilator is sized to be positioned within an anatomical passageway in a patient, wherein the dilator assembly further comprises at least one magnetic or ferrous element; and   (b) a positioning assembly, wherein the positioning assembly comprises a shaft and a magnetic or ferrous element positioned on the shaft, wherein the magnetic or ferrous element of the positioning assembly is attracted to the magnetic or ferrous element of the dilator assembly.