Systems and Methods for Introducing and Applying a Bandage Structure Within a Body Lumen or Hollow Body Organ

Abstract

Systems and methods provide intraluminal delivery of a bandage structure within a body lumen or hollow body organ, e.g., for treating an injured gastrointestinal tract or an esophageal hemorrhage in a non-invasive way using endoscopic visualization. The systems and methods can be sized and configured to apply a chitosan bandage structure within a body lumen or hollow body organ, to take advantage of the mucoadhesive, antimicrobial, hemostatic, and potential accelerated wound healing properties of the chitosan material.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An intraluminal or hollow body organ bandage structure delivery system comprising:
 a rolled chitosan bandage having a tab and a slit located on an outer surface, wherein the tab is slidably inserted into the slit to hold the bandage in a rolled position;   an expandable structure supporting the bandage; and   a removable sheath enclosing the bandage.   
     
     
         2 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the bandage provides an active surface that reacts in the presence of body fluid to become adhesive. 
     
     
         3 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the bandage provides a non-stick coating. 
     
     
         4 . The delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the inner surface of the bandage is water impermeable. 
     
     
         5 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the removable sheath includes a releasable securing device. 
     
     
         6 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising a multi-lumen catheter tube. 
     
     
         7 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising endoscopic visualization. 
     
     
         8 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising a guide wire. 
     
     
         9 . A rolled chitosan bandage structure sized and configured to be deployed within a body lumen or hollow body organ, wherein said structure comprises on a first side an outer surface comprising chitosan and including a tab and a slit formed therein and, on a second opposite side, a non-stick coating. 
     
     
         10 . The rolled chitosan bandage of  claim 9 , wherein the tab is slidably inserted into the slit. 
     
     
         11 . The rolled chitosan bandage of  claim 9 , wherein the non-stick coating on the second opposite side of said structure is water impermeable. 
     
     
         12 . A method for delivery of a bandage structure within a body lumen or hollow body organ, comprising:
 providing the delivery system of  claim 1 ;   positioning the delivery system within the body lumen or hollow body organ and relative to an injury site; and   adhering the bandage to the injury site.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 expanding the expandable structure to apply pressure from within the bandage so that the tab slides out of the slit and the bandage unfurls.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 removing the expandable structure; and   leaving the bandage adhered to the injury site.   
     
     
         15 . A delivery system for delivering a rolled chitosan bandage structure sized and configured to be deployed within a body lumen or hollow body organ, wherein said bandage structure comprises on a first side an outer active chitosan surface and, on a second opposite side, a non-stick coating, the delivery system comprising a multi-lumen catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter tube comprising an interior lumen through which a guide wire is configured to pass, the distal end carrying an expandable structure through which the interior lumen extends, the bandage structure being carried about the expandable structure, and the catheter tube further comprising a removable sheath. 
     
     
         16 . The delivery system of  claim 15 , further comprising endoscopic visualization. 
     
     
         17 . The delivery system of  claim 15 , further comprising a push-pull wire. 
     
     
         18 . The delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the expandable structure is partially enlarged to create bulbous forms on each side of the bandage structure. 
     
     
         19 . The delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the sheath has a releasable securing device at the distal end. 
     
     
         20 . The delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the non-stick coating of the second opposite side of said bandage structure is water impermeable.