Background
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Balloons are attached to manometric
assemblies for several purposes, including testing of
reflexes by distension, aiding of probe transit along
the small intestine and colon, and marking of assemblies
for imaging.
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Some balloons are installed at the
tip, others along the shaft of an assembly.
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There are two main types of balloon
- those made of elastic material, and those made of thin,
inelastic material. |
| Please refer
to the table on the next page for details of our balloon
range. |
Elastic-walled balloons
Many assemblies on the market continue to use latex balloons
though they carry a risk of allergic reactions and have low
durability and strength.
Dentsleeve uses only silicone
rubber balloons for installation on its extrusions.
These silicone rubber balloons
are autoclavable, and much more durable than balloons
previously offered with manometric assemblies.
They are free of the risks of allergic reactions associated
with latex.
The balloons can be made to fit snugly on extrusions in most
cases.
We offer two types of silicone rubber balloons which are described
separately below.
Detailed data are given in the tables on the next page - the
inflated values for dimensions are given for conservative volumes
of inflation, judged to be suited to the balloon capacity.
Dentsleeve tests all balloons
carefully before dispatch. Since balloons are so easily damaged
during use, a warranty cannot be offered for free replacement
of burst balloons. |
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Balloon
inflation channels on our assemblies are supplied with red
luer nylon connectors. These are fitted to prevent accidental
balloon flushing or connection of them to a manometric infusion
pump.
We offer a balloon replacement service at cost.
Assemblies returned for balloon replacement must be thoroughly
cleaned and autoclaved.
Only autoclaved assemblies will be worked on; those not sent
in a sealed autoclave pouch will be autoclaved by Dentsleeve
and a cost of US$20 levied for this service.
Important -
Maintenance
of silicone rubber balloon inflation
Silicone rubber is naturally gas permeable,
and the thin balloon material especially so.
When air is used to inflate our silicone rubber balloons,
gradual deflation will occur over time as a result of permeation
though the balloon.
As a rough rule of thumb, the diameter of a balloon that is
kept inflated with air will halve over about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
If sustained balloon inflation is required, it is best inflated
with water, but it is not recommended, for safety reasons,
that more than 20ml of water be used for balloon inflation.
An air-filled balloon can be kept inflated to the desired
level by periodically deflating and reinflating the balloon.
Dentsleeve
has investigated the approach of monitoring balloon pressure
to control the balloon inflation level, but the mechanical
characteristics of the balloons are unsuited to this approach.
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Moulded
balloons
When uninflated these have an olive shape, so they have a wider
diameter than the extrusion shaft on which they are installed.
On inflation this balloon type is spherical.
Our moulded balloons are the most durable type we have available.
Capacity of expansion with inflation is good, but inferior to
latex.
These balloons can be installed at the tip or along the shaft
of extrusions.
Available balloon sizes and the extrusions that are suited to
them are given in the table on the next page.
We recommend the use of extrusion channels of at least 0.6 mm
diameter for balloon inflation if possible, especially for balloons
of 30 ml or greater.
Extruded balloons
These balloons are thin-walled silicone rubber tubes, made of
a special soft, elastic silicone rubber.
Extruded balloons hug the extrusion on which they are installed
when they are not inflated.
Any length of balloon can be made.
Inflation increases balloon length by about 5 mm, regardless
of uninflated balloon length.
The capacity for expansion is less than moulded balloons.
These balloons are relatively fragile, bursting fairly easily
if inflated to a diameter greater than that given in the table.
WARNING
The extent
of balloon inflation and the site in the gut where it
is inflated can only be judged by the user. Dentsleeve
cannot be held responsible for any injury arising from
balloon inflation. |
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Dentsleeve Silicone Moulded Balloons
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BALLOON # |
UNINFLATED |
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INFLATED |
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Part # |
Balloon
Diameter |
Length |
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Max
Volume |
Balloon
Diameter |
Length |
Actual
shaft diam |
Fit Extrusion. # |
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300ml max. volume |
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BM300-1 |
38mm |
70mm |
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300ml |
78mm |
80mm |
8.0mm |
Needs build-up |
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100ml max. volume |
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BM100-1 |
11mm |
55mm |
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100ml |
43mm |
80mm |
3.2mm |
#27, 30, 56 |
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BM100-2 |
11mm |
55mm |
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100ml |
50mm |
73mm |
4.0mm |
#1, 2, 55, 57 |
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30ml max. volume |
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BM030-3 |
8mm |
30mm |
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30ml |
37mm |
38mm |
4.5mm |
#1, 2 |
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20ml max. volume |
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BM020-1 |
6.5mm |
18mm |
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20ml |
30mm |
32mm |
3.6mm |
#27, 30, 55, 56, 57 |
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BM020-2 |
7.7mm |
17mm |
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20ml |
32mm |
27mm |
4.6mm |
#1, 2 |
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BM020-3 |
8.8mm |
17mm |
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20ml |
NA |
NA |
5.7mm |
- |
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BM020-4 |
10.3mm |
17mm |
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20ml |
NA |
NA |
6.9mm |
- |
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BM020-5 |
10.7mm |
18mm |
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20ml |
NA |
NA |
8.2mm |
- |
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3ml max. volume |
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BM003-1 |
4.8mm |
10mm |
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3ml |
17mm |
14mm |
3.0mm |
#27, 30, 56, 57 |
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BM003-2 |
7.4mm |
10mm |
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3ml |
18mm |
13mm |
4.4mm |
#1, 2, 55 |
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