Normalization and stabilization of balloon surfaces for deflation

Abstract

A deflation device for use in deflating an inflatable or implantable balloon device, comprising, in combination: an endoscope tube, having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen; a cap disposed at the distal end of the endoscope tube and having walls defining a balloon interface chamber; a coring device disposed within the lumen and configured to travel within the lumen such that a distal end of the coring device is extendable beyond the distal end of the cap; wherein the cap is configured to provide a normal surface of a balloon relative to the orientation of the coring device as the coring device is disposed near the distal end of the cap.

1 . A deflation device, comprising, in combination:
 an endoscope tube, having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen;   a cap disposed at the distal end of the endoscope tube and having walls defining a balloon interface chamber;   a coring device disposed within the lumen and configured to travel within the lumen such that a distal end of the coring device is extendable beyond the distal end of the cap;   wherein the cap further comprises a protrusion extending radially inward from the walls of the cap, the walls defining a coring channel; and   wherein the protrusion is configured to guide the coring device to an orientation orthogonal to the surface of the balloon at a site of penetration.   
     
     
         2 . The deflation device of  claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises a flexible distal portion and a rigid proximal portion. 
     
     
         3 . The deflation device of  claim 1 , wherein the cap is configured to cause a portion of a surface of a balloon to be orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the coring device as the coring device is disposed near the distal end of the cap 
     
     
         4 . The deflation device of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is an annular ring. 
     
     
         5 . The deflation device of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is tapered and the coring channel is a frustoconical space having a proximal aperture smaller than a distal aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The deflation device of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion defines a guiding channel for the coring device, wherein the guiding channel is of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the coring device. 
     
     
         7 . The deflation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum device in fluid communication with the balloon interface chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The deflation device of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum device is in fluid communication with the balloon interface chamber via the lumen. 
     
     
         9 . A method for deflating an inflated balloon device, comprising, in combination:
 advancing a deflation device to a balloon until a cap at a distal end of the deflation device contacts a surface of the balloon, the cap and the surface of the balloon defining a balloon interface chamber;   applying a vacuum to the balloon interface chamber, whereby a portion of the surface enclosing the balloon interface chamber is drawn into a convex shape;   advancing the coring device from a lumen of the deflation device through a coring channel defined by a protrusion extending radially inward from walls of the cap, whereby a tip of the coring channel is deflected by the protrusion to be made orthogonal to the surface of the balloon at a site of penetration;   penetrating the balloon with the coring device at a site of penetration; and   aspirating fluid from within the balloon through the site of penetration.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the protrusion is an annular ring. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the protrusion is tapered and the coring channel is a frustoconical space having a proximal aperture smaller than a distal aperture. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the protrusion defines a guiding channel for the coring device, wherein the guiding channel is of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the coring device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein advancing the coring device within the lumen to the balloon further comprises advancing the coring device against a protrusion extending radially inward from the walls of the cap, whereby the coring device is aligned to be at least substantially orthogonal with a portion of the balloon surface. 
     
     
         14 . A deflation device, comprising, in combination:
 an endoscope tube, having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen;   a cap disposed at the distal end of the endoscope tube and having walls defining a balloon interface chamber at a distal end of the cap, the balloon interface chamber being in communication with the lumen;   a coring device disposed within the lumen and configured to travel within the lumen such that a distal end of the coring device is extendable beyond the distal end of the cap;   a vacuum chamber at the distal end of the cap; and   a vacuum line fluidly connected to the vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum chamber is configured to interface with a surface of a balloon and secure the cap thereto when vacuum pressure is applied.   
     
     
         15 . The deflation device of  claim 14 , wherein the vacuum chamber is an annular ring concentric with the balloon interface chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The deflation device of  claim 14 , wherein the vacuum chamber is separated from the balloon interface chamber by a septum.