Self-deploying catheter assembly

• US 20030167069A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 09/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Inventors: Pravong, Boun, Gonzales, Joseph A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,837,871 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0213 where the catheter is attached by means specifically adapted to a part of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1015 having two or more independently movable balloons where the distance between the balloons can be adjusted, e.g. two balloon catheters concentric to each other forming an adjustable multiple balloon catheter system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1052 for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0017 specially adapted for long-term hygiene care, e.g. urethral or indwelling catheters to prevent infections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00

Abstract

A catheter having an elongate drainage tube with a proximal end and a distal end, is adapted to extend through a body conduit and into a body cavity. An anchor disposed the distal end of the tube is disposed in the body cavity and is adapted to be moved from an insertion position to a withdrawal position. The anchor in the insertion position has a low profile when the tube is moved distally and in the withdrawal position has a low profile when the tube is moved proximally. The first end of the anchor is attached to the tube, and a tension member is provided to extend distally of the tube to releasably hold the second end of the anchor in a fixed relationship with the tube. In an associated method, this tension member is severed to release the second end of the anchor from the tube and permit withdrawal of the tube and the anchor in a low-profile state.

Claims

1. A catheter, comprising:

an elongate tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

an anchor disposed generally at the distal end of the tube and being moveable from an insertion position to a withdrawal position; and

the anchor in the insertion position having a low profile when the tube is moved distally; and

the anchor in the withdrawal position having a low profile when the tube is moved proximally.

2. The catheter recited in claim 1, wherein:

the anchor in the insertion position having a high profile when the tube is moved proximally.

3. The catheter recited in claim 2, further comprising:

a distal tip of the catheter being movable relative to the tube to permit the anchor to move from the insertion position to the withdrawal position.

4. The catheter recited in claim 3, further comprising:

a tension element holding the distal tip of the anchor in a proximate relationship with the tube in the insertion position.

5. The catheter recited in claim 4, wherein the tension element has properties facilitating separation of the tension element to enable a space relationship between the tube and the distal tip in the withdrawal position.

6. A catheter, comprising:

an elongate tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

an anchor disposed of the distal end of the tube, the anchor having a first end and a second end;

means for attaching the first end of the anchor to the tube;

a tension member extending distally of the tube for releasably holding the second end of the anchor in a fixed relationship with the tube

7. The catheter recited in claim 6, wherein:

the anchor has the insertion state and a withdrawal state;

the first end of the anchor has a floating relationship with the tube in the insertion state; and

the second end of the anchor has a floating relationship with the tube in the withdrawal state.

8. The catheter recited in claim 6, wherein:

the anchor has a high-profile state when the first end of the anchor has a proximate relationship with the second end of the anchor; and

the anchor has a low-profile state when the first end of the anchor has a spaced relationship with the second end of the anchor.

9. The catheter recited in claim 6, further comprising a stop included in the attaching means and having a fixed relationship with the tube.

10. The catheter recited in claim 6, wherein the attaching means comprises a tension member.

11. The catheter recited in claim 10, wherein the tension member extends between the first end of the anchor in a position in proximity to the proximal end of the tube.

12. The catheter recited in claim 11, wherein the tension member is severable to release the second end of the anchor from the fixed relationship with the tube.

13. A method for withdrawing a catheter anchored through a body conduit in a body cavity, comprising the steps of:

providing the catheter with an elongate tube having an anchor at a distal end of the tube, the anchor having a distal tip held in proximity to the distal end of the tube by a tension element extending away from the distal end of the tube; and

severing the tension element to release the distal tip of the anchor from the tube.

14. The method recited in claim 13, wherein the tube has a proximal end and the severing step further comprises the step of:

cutting the tension element in proximity to the proximal end of the tube.

15. The method recited in claim 13, further comprising the step of:

attaching the anchor to the tube at other than the distal tip of the anchor.

16. The method recited in claim 13, further comprising the step of:

withdrawing the tube and the anchor from the body cavity and through the body conduit in a low-profile state