Variable diameter surgical drains and sheaths
First Claim
1. A method of draining a pleural body cavity in a body, the method comprising:
- positioning a distal end of an elongated structure in a pleural body cavity, wherein the elongated structure comprises;
a distal end configured to be placed in the pleural body cavity;
a proximal end configured to be outside of the body when the distal end is present in the pleural body cavity; and
a lumen configured to drain a substance from the pleural body cavity and change in inner diameter when present in the pleural body cavity from a first inner diameter to a second inner diameter that is smaller than the first inner diameter, wherein the change in inner diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element that is present along at least a distal one third of the distal end;
draining the substance from the pleural body cavity via the elongated structure;
decreasing the inner diameter of the distal end of the elongated structure prior to removal of the elongated structure; and
removing the distal end of the elongated structure from the pleural body cavity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Surgical drains and methods for using the same for draining a body cavity are provided. Aspects of the surgical drains of the invention include an elongated structure having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen configured to drain a substance from the body cavity. The distal end is configured to be placed in a body cavity and change in diameter when present in the body cavity from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, where the change in diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element. Aspects of the invention further include sheaths configured to be disposed around surgical drains, such as surgical drains of the invention, and methods of using the surgical drains and sheaths. The devices and methods of the invention find use in a variety of applications.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of draining a pleural body cavity in a body, the method comprising:
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positioning a distal end of an elongated structure in a pleural body cavity, wherein the elongated structure comprises; a distal end configured to be placed in the pleural body cavity; a proximal end configured to be outside of the body when the distal end is present in the pleural body cavity; and a lumen configured to drain a substance from the pleural body cavity and change in inner diameter when present in the pleural body cavity from a first inner diameter to a second inner diameter that is smaller than the first inner diameter, wherein the change in inner diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element that is present along at least a distal one third of the distal end; draining the substance from the pleural body cavity via the elongated structure; decreasing the inner diameter of the distal end of the elongated structure prior to removal of the elongated structure; and removing the distal end of the elongated structure from the pleural body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of draining a thoracic body cavity in a body, the method comprising:
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positioning a distal end of an elongated structure in a thoracic body cavity, wherein the elongated structure comprises; a distal end configured to be placed in a thoracic body cavity; a proximal end configured to be outside of the body when the distal end is present in the thoracic body cavity; and a lumen configured to drain a substance from the thoracic body cavity and change in inner diameter when present in the thoracic body cavity from a first inner diameter to a second inner diameter that is smaller than the first inner diameter, wherein the change in inner diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element; draining the substance from the thoracic body cavity via the elongated structure; decreasing the inner diameter of the distal end of the elongated structure prior to removal of the elongated structure; and removing the distal end of the elongated structure from the thoracic body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification