A dilatator is a specialized medical instrument or device utilized for widening or enlarging different anatomical structures within the human body. The primary purpose of a dilatator is to gently and gradually expand the opening or cavity of a passage, channel, or vessel, thereby promoting the introduction of other medical instruments, facilitating the insertion of various devices, or enabling the thorough examination of a particular area.
Commonly made of flexible or rigid materials such as metal or plastic, dilatators come in various shapes and sizes to suit specific medical requirements. They are frequently used in various medical procedures, including but not limited to, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, urology, gynecology, and vascular interventions.
Dilatators are often employed to enlarge or widen urinary tract structures, blood vessels, ducts, airways, or other body cavities to facilitate the passage of catheters, guidewires, stents, or similar instruments. They work through controlled, incremental expansion, allowing the targeted area to adapt gradually and safely to the desired size. Dilatation techniques performed with dilatators are usually minimally invasive, reducing the risks associated with extensive surgical procedures.
Although dilatators are primarily used in medical settings, they can also be found in dental procedures and certain non-medical contexts. In dentistry, dilatators might be employed to create or expand openings in the gums or to widen dental canals for treatment purposes. In non-medical fields, dilatators might be utilized to increase the size of openings or passageways in industrial processes or engineering applications.
