Dilator for Sphincter of Oddi

DETAILED DESCRIPTION An apparatus and process has now been devised which overcomes these and other problems in the art.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dilating apparatus utilizing a flexible plastic disposable instrument with graduated dilators.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device which reduces the amount of manipulation, trauma and handling of the duct during exploration.
It is a further object of the present invention to reduce operating time in this type of surgery.
It is a further object to insure absolute steralization.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus and process which allows treatment of common pathological conditions in the bile duct and Sphincter of Oddi while eliminating risk of damage to the duct wall and pancreas.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention can be achieved by the present dilating apparatus which comprises: a.
a hollow, flexible cylindrical catheter; b.
a soft insertion tip member fixedly attached to the leading end of said catheter; c.
an expandible member mounted axially adjacent to said tip and communicating with the interior of said catheter; d.
means for expanding the member of (c) whereby the location of the tip can be ascertained, and; e.
a plurality of hollow, flexible dilators with outer diameters of increasing size and with an inner diameter accommodatingly larger than the outer diameters of said catheter, each dilator having an enlarged tip portion on one end and a handle portion on the other end; whereby dilation of the Sphincter is accomplished by insertion of the catheter until the tip is within the duodenum and subsequent insertion of the dilators one at a time slidingly over the catheter (in coaxial position in relation thereto) until the desired opening is achieved at which time the dilator and catheter are removed.
Thereafter, the necessary surgical procedures to complete the operation are performed.
Also disclosed is a scissor-like, expandible tip for use in the apparatus and process of the present invention