Vascular coupling device

• US 20050177105A1
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Activein, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Haim Halperin
• Inventors: Shalev, Ilan
• Granted Patent: US 7,749,193 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/104
• 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 2025/1047 having centering means, e.g. balloons having an appropriate shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1072 having balloons with two or more compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• 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 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/008 pre-shaped, for use in the urethral or ureteral tract

Abstract

A venous port for withdrawal of fluid in which one or more extensions are provided which can selectively extend to remove impediments from an aperture of the port.

Claims

1. Apparatus adapted to be placed through a body tissue (102) and implanted in a vein (130) for the purpose of intake of fluid through an aperture thereof, comprising:

a hollow tube (118) defining at least one aperture (134, 220); and

at least one extension (122, 312, 502) operative to be at at least two positions with respect to said aperture, a first position near said aperture and a second position in which at least part of said extension extends away from said aperture, wherein if said aperture is blocked by an impediment, relative movement of said at least one extension with respect to said aperture, from said first position to said second position, operates to dislodge the impediment from said aperture.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said aperture comprises a front opening at a front end of said tube.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said aperture comprises one or more side openings in a side of said tube.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said aperture comprises at least one front opening at a front end of said tube and at least one side opening in a side of said tube.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said impediment comprises an aggregate of solid material.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said impediment is down-flow from said hollow tube.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said impediment is at least partly within said hollow tube.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said impediment comprises a venous valve.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said impediment comprises body tissue.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said body tissue is inflamed.

11. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hollow tube is adapted to be implanted in a vein for the purpose of unimpeded intake of fluid for a period of one or more weeks.

12. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hollow tube is adapted to be implanted in a vein for the purpose of unimpeded intake of fluid for a period of one or more months.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising an activating mechanism.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said activating mechanism causes said extensions to extend from said first position to said second position.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said activating mechanism causes said extensions to un-extend from said second position to said first position.

16. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said activating mechanism comprises a locking mechanism that, when unlocked, allows said extensions to extend from said first position to said second position.

17. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein at least a portion of said activating mechanism is external to said body tissue.

18. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein a portion of said one or more extensions is external to said body tissue.

19. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the activating mechanism is manually activated.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the activating mechanism is automatically activated.

21. Apparatus according to claim 1 adapted so that said extending of said extensions occurs prior to said intake of fluid.

22. Apparatus according to claim 1 adapted so that said extending of said extensions occurs during said intake of fluid.

23. Apparatus according to claim 1 adapted so that said extending of said extensions occurs following said intake of fluid.

24. Apparatus according to claim 1 adapted so that at least some extending of said extensions takes place irrespective of intake of fluid.

25. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least part of said one or more extensions, overlaps a front end of said tube when said extensions are in a first position.

26. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one aperture is covered by said one or more extensions in said first position.

27. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apertures are arranged to be covered in said first position.

28. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more of said catheter and said extensions comprise a material that prevents or retards aggregation of solids from said body fluid.

29. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more of said catheter and said extensions comprise a material that prevents or retards clot formation.

30. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more of said catheter and said extensions comprise a material that prevents or retards body tissue inflammatory response.

31. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more of said catheter and said extensions comprise a material that prevents or retards bacteria colonization.

32. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or more extensions comprise expandable elements.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said one or more expandable elements expand when filled with expansion fluid.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33, comprising an activating mechanism including a reservoir containing expansion fluid connected to said one or more expandable element extensions.

35. Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said expansion fluid comprises a material that affects the formation of impediments and wherein said expandable element is at least partly permeable to said material.

36. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or more extensions comprise an extension with a deformable area.

37. Apparatus according to claim 36, wherein when said deformable area deforms, said extension extends from said first position to said second position.

38. Apparatus according to claim 36 wherein when said extension un-extends from said second position to said first position, said deformable area returns to its pre-deformed state.

39. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or more extensions comprise resilient extensions.

40. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a sheath for selectively controlling a position to which said extensions extend.

41. Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein when said at least one extension exits distally from said sheath they deflect radially.

42. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising an extension tube of which said extensions form a distal section, wherein axial distal motion of said extension tube causes said extensions to extend.

43. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein a distal section of said extension tube is axially fixed to a front of said hollow tube and wherein said extension tube is slotted.

44. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said extensions are adapted for an arm vein.

45. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said extensions are adapted for a non-vein vessel.

46. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said positions are axially displaced.

47. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said positions are radially displaced.