Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of dilating a prostatic urethra, which comprises: introducing a multichannel cystoscope into and along the length of the prostatic urethra; passing a urethral catheter through a lumen in the cystoscope into the prostatic urethra and along thereto; positioning a remote section of the urethral catheter between and adjacent to the bladder neck and the veru montanum; and, expanding the remote section annularly in order to dilate the prostatic urethra and thereby relieve the prostatic encroachment thereto.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of dilating a prostatic urethra, which comprises: introducing a multichannel cystoscope into and along the length of the prostatic urethra; passing a urethral catheter through a lumen in the cystoscope into the prostatic urethra and along thereto; positioning a remote section of the urethral catheter between and adjacent to the bladder neck and the veru montanum; and, expanding the remote section annularly in order to dilate the prostatic urethra and thereby relieve the prostatic encroachment thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said positioning step comprises anchoring the distal end of the urethral catheter to the bladder neck, thereby positioning the remote section with respect to the prostatic urethra as defined by the bladder neck and the veru montanum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said anchoring step comprises: expanding a balloon fixed to the distal end of the urethral catheter subsequent to its passing through the urethra and into the bladder; and, engaging the expanded balloon to the bladder neck.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of dilating a prostatic urethra, which comprises: measuring the distance between the bladder neck and the veru montanum; inserting a dilating catheter into the urethra and along therethrough, wherein the dilating catheter has an expandable remote section of a length equivalent to that of the measured distance; positioning the remote section of the dilating catheter between and adjacent to the bladder neck and the veru montanum; and, expanding said remote section annularly in order to dilate the prostatic urethra and thereby relieve the prostatic encroachment thereto.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of dilating a prostatic urethra, which comprises: measuring the distance between the bladder neck and the veru montanum; inserting a dilating catheter into the urethra and along therethrough, wherein the dilating catheter has an expandable remote section of a length equivalent to that of the measured distance; positioning the remote section of the dilating catheter between and adjacent to the bladder neck and the veru montanum; and, expanding said remote section annularly in order to dilate the prostatic urethra and thereby relieve the prostatic encroachment thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method as recited in claim 4 wherein said measuring step comprises: introducing a multichannel cystoscope into and along the urethra; passing a calibrated catheter through a lumen in the cystoscope until the distal end progresses to the bladder neck; discerning the number of calibrations extending along the calibrated catheter between the veru montanum and the bladder neck; and, withdrawing the calibrated catheter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as recited in claim 5 wherein said passing step further comprises the step of anchoring a distal end of the calibrated catheter to the bladder neck, thereby securely fixing the catheter in a position enabling of accurate reading of the quantity of calibrations between the bladder neck and the veru montanum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as recited in claim 6 wherein said anchoring step comprises: expanding a balloon fixed to the distal end of the calibrated catheter subsequent to its passing through the urethra and into the bladder; and, engaging the expanded balloon to the walls of the bladder neck.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as recited in claim 4 wherein said positioning step comprises: anchoring the distal end of the dilating catheter to the bladder neck, thereby fixedly positioning the remote section with respect to the prostatic urethra as defined by the bladder neck and the veru montanum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as recited in claim 8 wherein said anchoring step comprises: expanding a balloon fixed to the distal end of the dilating catheter subsequent to its passing through the urethra and into the bladder; and, engaging the expanded balloon to the bladder neck.