Paracentesis device having multiple detachable components

• US 20040049157A1
• Filed: 09/13/2001
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardinal Health 200 Incorporated (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cardinal Health 200 Incorporated (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Plishka, Michael, Schmitt, Jeffrey, Groenke, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 7,736,336 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/164.09
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3415 for introducing tubes or catheters, e.g. gastrostomy tubes, drain catheters A61B17/3417 takes precedence; body piercing catheter guide needles A61M25/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters

Abstract

The invention described herein relates to an improved device for paracentesis procedures, such as thoracentesis. The device comprises a cannula assembly, valve assembly, and catheter assembly, wherein the cannula assembly is removably attached to the valve assembly, and the valve assembly is removably attached to the catheter assembly. The device can comprise an externally viewable indicator revealing the relative positions of the cannula assembly components. The device can further comprise a locking mechanism which controls the movement between cannula assembly components and is activated and deactivated by the coupling of the cannula assembly to the valve assembly. The device improves the precision and safety of its handling, and offers the practitioner several aspiration alternatives while maintaining separation of the internal and external patient environments.

Claims

1. A device for use in paracentesis comprising:

a) a cannula assembly comprising an inner cannula having an internal lumen and at least one lateral opening located proximal to its distal end, an outer cannula adapted to accommodate said inner cannula within, and cannula assembly housing, said inner cannula being movable relative to said outer cannula;

b) a valve assembly comprising a valve housing, interior chamber, reinsertible valve positioned within said chamber, and a lateral access port, said valve assembly adapted to removably attach to said cannula assembly and to accommodate a portion of said cannula assembly when placed within; and

c) a catheter assembly comprising a flexible catheter having an internal lumen and at least one opening, said catheter assembly adapted to removably attach to said valve assembly and to accommodate the distal portion of said cannula assembly placed within.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said inner cannula is biased so as to extend the distal tip of said inner cannula beyond the distal end of said outer cannula.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said cannula assembly further comprises an externally viewable indicator which reveals the position of said inner cannula relative to said outer cannula.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said cannula assembly further comprises a locking mechanism controlled by the coupling of said cannula assembly to said valve assembly.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said locking mechanism permits movement of the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula when the cannula assembly is engaged to said valve assembly, and which restricts the movement of said inner cannula relative to said outer cannula upon disengagement of the cannula assembly from said valve assembly.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein said flexible catheter comprises a predetermined resting state configuration different from a substantially linear configuration.

7. The device according to claim 5 wherein said pre-determined resting state configuration is a coil.

8. The device according to claim 7 wherein said catheter comprises a plurality of lateral openings oriented toward the center of said coil.

9. A device for use in paracentesis comprising:

a cannula assembly comprising an inner cannula having an internal lumen and at least one lateral opening located proximal to its distal end, an outer cannula adapted to accommodate said inner cannula within, and cannula assembly housing, said inner cannula being movable relative to said outer cannula;

a valve assembly comprising a reinsertible valve therein;

wherein the proximal portion of said valve assembly is adapted to removably attach to the distal portion of the cannula assembly housing; and

wherein said valve assembly accommodates the distal portion of said cannula assembly when placed within.

10. A cannula assembly for use in paracentesis comprising:

a) an inner cannula having an internal lumen and at least one lateral opening located proximal to its distal end, an outer cannula adapted to accommodate said inner cannula within, and cannula assembly housing, said inner cannula being movable relative to said outer cannula; and

b) an externally viewable indicator revealing the position of said inner cannula relative to said outer cannula.

11. The cannula assembly according to claim 10 wherein said externally viewable indicator comprises an indicia associated with said inner cannula and viewable through said cannula assembly housing.

12. A device for use in paracentesis comprising:

a) cannula assembly comprising an inner cannula having an internal lumen and at least one lateral opening located proximal to its distal end, an outer cannula adapted to accommodate said inner cannula within, and cannula assembly housing, said inner cannula being movable relative to said outer cannula;

b) a valve assembly; and

c) a locking mechanism controlled by the coupling of said cannula assembly to said valve assembly.

13. The device according to claim 12 wherein said locking mechanism permits movement of the inner cannula relative to the outer cannula when the cannula assembly is engaged to said valve assembly, and which restricts the movement of said inner cannula relative to said outer cannula upon disengagement of the cannula assembly from said valve assembly.