Catheter having insertion control mechanism
First Claim
1. A catheter comprising:
- a tube having a first end and a second end, the first end receivable by a first connector coupled to a medical device and the second end receivable by a second connector in fluid communication with an anatomical passageway of a patient, the second end being movable in a direction of insertion toward the patient so that a variable portion of the tube is disposed between the first connector and the second connector; and
an insertion controller adjustably positioned on the variable portion of the tube, the insertion controller having a tube engagement member and a biasing member, the biasing member operable to cause the tube engagement member to be movable between;
(a) a predisposed first position engaged with the tube; and
(b) a second position disengaged from the tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a catheter having a tube and including mechanisms that provide precision control over insertion and retraction of the catheter tube. The catheter is particularly adapted for introduction into the pulmonary system. The catheter includes an insertion depth control mechanism that acts as a stop and provides a tactile indication to the person inserting the catheter tube that a predetermined position has been reached. The catheter also includes an anti-bunching mechanism to prevent bunching of a protective sleeve disposed around the catheter tube, thereby reducing interference from the sleeve during insertion of the catheter tube.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A catheter comprising:
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a tube having a first end and a second end, the first end receivable by a first connector coupled to a medical device and the second end receivable by a second connector in fluid communication with an anatomical passageway of a patient, the second end being movable in a direction of insertion toward the patient so that a variable portion of the tube is disposed between the first connector and the second connector; and
an insertion controller adjustably positioned on the variable portion of the tube, the insertion controller having a tube engagement member and a biasing member, the biasing member operable to cause the tube engagement member to be movable between;
(a) a predisposed first position engaged with the tube; and
(b) a second position disengaged from the tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A catheter comprising:
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a tube having a first end and a second end, the first end receivable by a first connector coupled to a medical device and the second end receivable by a second connector in fluid communication with an anatomical passageway of a patient, the second end being movable in a direction of insertion toward the patient so that a variable portion of the tube is disposed between the first connector and the second connector;
indicia located on at least part of the variable portion of the tube; and
an insertion controller adjustably positioned on the variable portion of the tube, the insertion controller having a tube engagement member and a biasing member, the biasing member operable to cause the tube engagement member to have;
(a) a predisposed first position engaged with the tube; and
(b) a second position disengaged from the tube. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A catheter comprising:
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a tube having a diameter, a first end and a second end, the first end receivable by a first connector coupled to a medical device and the second end receivable by a second connector in fluid communication with an anatomical passageway of a patient, the second end being movable in a direction of insertion toward the patient so that a variable portion of the tube is disposed between the first connector and the second connector;
indicia located on at least part of the variable portion of the tube; and
an insertion controller adjustably positioned on the variable portion of the tube, the insertion controller including a flexible wall having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a tube passageway having a plurality of variable diameters, the flexible wall being flexible between;
(a) a predisposed position wherein at least one of the variable diameters is less than the diameter of the tube; and
(b) another position wherein each of the variable diameters is greater than the diameter of the tube, the insertion controller further including a plurality of substantially flattened grip portions positioned at opposite sides of the flexible wall. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification