Catheter for removal of solids from surgical drains

• US 20040092956A1
• Filed: 11/06/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Original Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Inventors: Gillinov, Alan Marc, Goodin, Mark S., Liddicoat, John
• Application Number:
  US10/415,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20040092956A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22031 Gripping instruments, e.g. forceps, for removing or smashing calculi A61B17/221 takes precedence
• 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: A61B 2017/320775 Morcellators, impeller or propeller like means
• 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 2025/109 having balloons for removing solid matters, e.g. by grasping or scraping plaque, thrombus or other matters that obstruct the flow
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/00 Drainage appliance for wounds or the like , i.e. wound drains, implanted drains negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90; implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 ; middle ear drainage A61F11/202
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/008 pre-shaped, for use in the urethral or ureteral tract

Abstract

A catheter is provided for clearing surgical drains of solid and semi-solid material that collects in and obstructs the drains. The catheter has a solids removal member at its distal end. Preferably, the solids removal member is an inflatable balloon, a deployable umbrella member, a deployable spring, a slicer, or a fixed spring. The solids removal member is effective to aid removal of collected solids from the surgical drain. An aspiration port is also provided at the distal end of the catheter to remove or aspirate collected solids that are dislodged from the surgical drain by the solids removal member. A method for using such a catheter is also provided.

Claims

1. A device for removing solid or semi-solid material from a surgical drain, the device comprising a catheter having a proximal region and a distal region, and a solids removal member disposed in said distal region of said catheter, said distal region being suitable for insertion into a surgical drain to deliver said solids removal member within said surgical drain.

2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible protective sleeve having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said protective sleeve is attached to said catheter in said proximal region thereof, said sleeve being adapted to permit the distal region of said catheter to be extended into and withdrawn from said surgical drain.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said protective sleeve is effective to maintain a sterile environment within said surgical drain, and to prevent exposure to secreted bodily fluids by healthcare personnel.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said protective sleeve is made from plastic or rubber.

5. A device according to claim 1, further comprising an aspiration port located in the distal region of said catheter, and an aspiration vacuum port located in the proximal region of said catheter, wherein said aspiration port and said aspiration vacuum port are connected via an aspiration conduit.

6. A device according to claim 1, further comprising an actuation port in the proximal region thereof, wherein said solids removal member is actuatable by an actuation means via an actuation conduit between said actuation port and said solids removal member.

7. A device according to claim 2, further comprising a catheter adaptor, wherein said second end of said protective sleeve is attached to said catheter adaptor.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said catheter adaptor is adapted to guide insertion of said catheter into said surgical drain when said catheter is in an extended position.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said catheter adaptor is a y-adaptor having a catheter lumen and a suction lumen, said second end of said protective sleeve being connected to said catheter lumen of said adaptor, and wherein said suction lumen and said surgical drain define a suction pathway for said surgical drain.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said catheter does not obstruct said suction pathway when said catheter is in a retracted position.

11. A device according to claim 2, wherein said catheter, solids removal member, and protective sleeve are provided as an integrated catheter assembly.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said catheter assembly is provided together with a catheter adaptor and said surgical drain as an integrated catheterized surgical drain assembly.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein said solids removal member is an inflatable balloon.

14. A device according to claim 13, further comprising an actuation conduit between an actuation port in the proximal region of said catheter and said balloon, wherein said balloon is inflatable via an inflation fluid that is delivered to said actuation port.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein said actuation port is adapted to mate with a syringe.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein said solids removal member is a deployable umbrella member.

17. A device according to claim 16, wherein said deployable umbrella member is actuated by a guide wire connected thereto.

18. A device according to claim 1, wherein said solids removal member is a deployable spring.

19. A device according to claim 18, further comprising a sheath which is slidably engaged to said catheter, wherein said sheath a) is adapted to enclose said deployable spring to retain said spring in a collapsed position thereof, and b) is retractable from said spring via an actuation means causing said spring to deploy.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein said actuation means is a guide wire.

21. A device according to claim 1, wherein said solids removal member is a slicer having proximal and distal cutting edges.

22. A device according to claim 21, wherein said slicer has a plurality of slats, each said slat having proximal and distal cutting edges.

23. A device according to claim 1, wherein said solids removal member is a fixed spring.

24. A device according to claim 23, wherein said fixed spring is an uncoiled strip of material oriented in a helical pattern.

25. A device according to claim 23, wherein said fixed spring is a coiled spring.

26. A method of removing solid or semi-solid material from a surgical drain comprising the steps of:

a) providing a catheter comprising a proximal region and a distal region, and having a solids removal member and an aspiration port disposed in the distal region thereof;

b) applying a vacuum to said aspiration port;

c) slowly inserting said catheter into said surgical drain so that the distal region of said catheter approaches a distal end of said surgical drain;

d) actuating said solids removal member; and

e) slowly withdrawing said catheter from said surgical drain.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein during said withdrawal step (e), said actuated solids removal member is effective to dislodge and pull solid, semi-solid, particulate, or thrombi material from said surgical drain.

28. A method according to claim 26, wherein said solids removal member is an inflatable balloon.

29. A method according to claim 26, wherein said solids removal member is selected from the group consisting of a deployable umbrella, a deployable spring, a slicer, and a fixed spring.

30. A method according to claim 26, wherein said surgical drain is a chest tube.

31. A device for removing solid or semi-solid material from a surgical drain, the device comprising a catheter having a proximal region and a distal region, a flexible protective sleeve having a first end and a second end, an aspiration port, and an aspiration vacuum port, wherein said first end of said protective sleeve is attached to said catheter in said proximal region thereof, said sleeve being adapted to permit the distal region of said catheter to be extended into and withdrawn from said surgical drain, said aspiration port being located in the distal region of said catheter, said aspiration vacuum port being located in the proximal region of said catheter, wherein said aspiration port and said aspiration vacuum port are connected via an aspiration conduit, said distal region being suitable for insertion into a surgical drain.