Intraluminal Balloon Dilator Patent Filed by Francis, Grace
Summary
Application US20260108706A1 for an intraluminal balloon dilator apparatus was filed September 22, 2023 and published April 23, 2026 by inventors Nathan C. Francis and Kenneth Peter Grace. The invention comprises a flexible elongate member positionable within a body lumen and a balloon that transitions from an unexpanded state to an expanded state with a second diameter larger than the first diameter, with a leading edge extending at an angle to engage anatomical walls as the dilator moves through an opening. This published application does not create immediate compliance obligations but may be relevant for companies developing similar medical devices in the balloon dilator space.
About this source
USPTO classification A61M covers devices that introduce or withdraw fluids from the body: infusion pumps, catheters, syringes, inhalers, wound drainage, dialysis equipment, and fluid-handling microfluidics. Every newly published application in A61M lands in this feed, around 205 a month. Applications publish 18 months after filing. Watch this if you compete in infusion therapy or drug delivery, file freedom-to-operate analyses for medical device startups, scout acquisition targets in cardiovascular or respiratory devices, or track hospital R&D arms that are quietly patenting clinical innovations.
What changed
Application US20260108706A1 for an intraluminal balloon dilator apparatus was filed September 22, 2023 and published April 23, 2026 by inventors Nathan C. Francis and Kenneth Peter Grace. The invention comprises a flexible elongate member positionable within a body lumen and a balloon that transitions from an unexpanded state to an expanded state with a second diameter larger than the first diameter, with a leading edge extending at an angle to engage anatomical walls as the dilator moves through an opening.
This published application does not create immediate compliance obligations but may be relevant for companies developing similar medical devices in the balloon dilator space. Medical device manufacturers active in interventional cardiology, gastroenterology, or urology should monitor the prosecution of this application to understand the scope of claims being pursued.
Archived snapshot
Apr 23, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
INTRALUMINAL BALLOON DILATOR AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS
Application US20260108706A1 Kind: A1 Apr 23, 2026
Inventors
Nathan C. FRANCIS, Kenneth Peter GRACE
Abstract
An apparatus includes an intraluminal dilator with a flexible elongate member and a balloon. The flexible elongate member can be positioned within a body lumen. The flexible elongate member includes a first diameter. The balloon includes an unexpanded state and an expanded state. In the expanded state, the balloon includes a second diameter larger than the first diameter and a leading edge including a length between a first portion coupled to the flexible elongate member and a second portion with the second diameter. The leading edge extends at an angle between the first diameter and the second diameter. The balloon can engage 2024/074324 an anatomical wall along the leading edge as the intraluminal dilator moves through an opening in the anatomical wall to enlarge the opening such that the second portion of the balloon engages the anatomical wall only after the first portion of the balloon has engaged the anatomical wall.
CPC Classifications
A61M 25/0662 A61M 25/0023 A61M 29/00 A61M 2210/125
Filing Date
2023-09-22
Application No.
19117783
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