Patent attributes
An expandable dilation member may include a proximally-tapered portion to dilate a stricture. The dilation member may be distally advanced in an unexpanded state over a wire guide through the stricture. The dilation member may then be configured in an expanded state, where the dilation member has a longitudinal profile that includes the proximally-tapered portion. A handle assembly proximally pulls the dilation member in the expanded state. In response, the proximally-tapered portion engages with and biases the stricture. When biasing the stricture, the proximally-tapered portion exerts a plurality of different types of forces, including a shearing force, a radial force, and in some procedures, a torsional force. In some embodiments, the proximally-tapered portion has a continuous taper from a smallest diameter to a largest diameter. In other embodiments, the proximally-tapered portion has at least one constant-diameter portion longitudinally disposed in between the smallest diameter and the largest diameter.
