Apparatus for stripping fibrin from a catheter

• US 20030181876A1
• Filed: 03/19/2002
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hatch Medical, LLC
• Original Assignee: Fibrex LLC (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Gianneschi, Paul R., Hvozda, Steven M., Ahn, Jiyong
• Granted Patent: US 7,037,313 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/267
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00008 Vein tendon strippers tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2217 single wire changing shape to a gripping configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0019 Cleaning catheters or the like, e.g. for reuse of the device, for avoiding replacement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00

Abstract

An apparatus for the removal of build-up about an implanted catheter having an interior surface, an exterior surface and an open free end positioned within an individual'"'"'s vascular system. The apparatus includes a delivery assembly storing a stripping coil. The delivery assembly includes a guide structure for guiding the stripping coil through the catheter to the free end of the catheter. The stripping coil is formed of a shape memory or super-elastic material, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a shape wrapping about the outer surface of the catheter in a manner providing for the stripping of build-up from the outer surface of the catheter when the stripping coil is moved relative to the catheter.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the removal of build-up about an implanted catheter having an interior surface, an exterior surface and an open free end positioned within an individual'"'"'s vascular system, the apparatus comprising:

a delivery assembly storing a stripping coil, the delivery assembly including a guide structure for guiding the stripping coil through the catheter to the free end of the catheter;

the stripping coil being formed of a shape memory material or super-elastic material, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a shape wrapping about the outer surface of the catheter in a manner providing for the stripping of build-up from the outer surface of the catheter when the stripping coil is moved relative to the catheter.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stripping coil is formed of Nitinol.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a helical shape.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the delivery assembly includes means for rotating the stripping coil relative to the catheter so as to facilitate removal of build-up from the exterior surface of the catheter.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a helical shape.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the delivery assembly includes means for rotating the stripping coil relative to the catheter so as to facilitate removal of build-up from the exterior surface of the catheter.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a helical shape.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the delivery assembly includes a push handle for inserting the stripping coil to the open free end of the catheter.

9. A method for the removal of build-up about an implanted catheter having an interior surface, an exterior surface and an open free end positioned within an individual, the method comprising the following steps:

preforming a stripping coil, composed of a shape memory material or super-elastic material, to assume a shape wrapping about the exterior surface of the catheter;

coupling a delivery system to an accessible portion of the catheter;

guiding the stripping coil to the open free end of the catheter;

releasing the stripping coil such that it assumes its preformed shape wrapping about the exterior surface of the catheter;

moving the stripping coil relative to the catheter such that the stripping coil disengages and removes build-up along the exterior surface of the catheter.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the build-up is thrombus which forms along the exterior surface of the catheter.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the catheter is a dialysis catheter.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the delivery system is coupled to an exterior coupling member linked to the dialysis catheter.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the stripping coil is formed of Nitinol.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a helical shape.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of moving includes rotating the stripping coil relative to the catheter so as to facilitate removal of build-up from the exterior surface of the catheter.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a helical shape drawing build-up along the catheter after it has been scraped from the exterior surface of the catheter.

17. The method according to claim 9, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a helical shape.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of moving includes rotating the stripping coil relative to the catheter so as to facilitate removal of build-up from the exterior surface of the catheter.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a helical shape drawing build-up along the catheter after it has been scraped from the exterior surface of the catheter.

20. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of moving includes rotating the stripping coil relative to the catheter so as to facilitate removal of build-up from the exterior surface of the catheter.