Movable Balloon anchor for medical devices

• US 20060079838A1
• Filed: 10/08/2004
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eben Howard, Pamela A. Howard
• Original Assignee: Eben Howard, Pamela A. Howard
• Inventors: Walker, Steven C., Howard, Pamela A., Howard, Eben
• Application Number:
  US10/959,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20060079838A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1015 having two or more independently movable balloons where the distance between the balloons can be adjusted, e.g. two balloon catheters concentric to each other forming an adjustable multiple balloon catheter system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence

Abstract

This invention relates to inflatable anchor members for securing devices in an orifice. Anchor member comprises a fluid tight material having an inflatable interior. The anchor is configured to include an opening for receiving a device. The anchor may be inflated to secure the device within its opening. The anchor includes a fill line for receiving and removing fill material from the anchor. The anchor may be disposed inside the chest of a patient and inflated to secure a chest tube in position without the need for sutures. A second inflatable anchor may be used and positioned on an opposite side of an orifice from the first anchor to hinder movement of a device passing therethrough.

Claims

1. A chest tube comprising:

an elongated tubular member having an insertion end and a non-insertion end disposed on opposite ends;

said insertion end defining a plurality of holes providing communication with an interior passageway through said tubular member;

said non-insertion end being adapted for facilitating the evacuating material from said insertion end through said passageway and out said non-insertion end;

an inflatable anchor disposed around an outer circumference of said tubular member;

means for inflating said anchor;

whereby inflating said anchor grips said tubular member.

2. The chest tube of claim 1 wherein said means for inflating comprises a fill line in communication with said inflatable member.

3. The chest tube of claim 2 wherein said fill line is capable of receiving fill material from a syringe and depositing said material in an interior of said anchor, thereby inflating said anchor member and constricting movement of said tubular member.

4. The chest tube of claim 3 wherein said fill line includes a fill port comprising a spring-valve.

5. The chest tube of claim 3 wherein said fill material is selected from the group consisting of saline, water and air.

6. The chest tube of claim 5 further comprising a second inflatable anchor, said anchor disposed around an outer circumference of said tubular member;

and

means for inflating said second inflatable anchor.

7. The chest tube of claim 7 wherein at least one of said inflatable anchors is attached to and moveable along an exterior surface of said tubular member.

8. A method of securing a chest tube in a desired position comprising:

inserting a chest tube in a desired position within a patient chest;

positioning an inflatable anchor defining an orifice disposed around a circumference of said chest tube adjacent and parallel to an interior side of a chest wall of said patient; and

inflating said anchor to a size suitable to restrict movement of said chest tube within said orifice.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

positioning a second inflatable anchor having an orifice disposed around a circumference of said chest tube adjacent and parallel to an exterior side of said patient'"'"'s chest wall; and

inflating said second anchor to a size suitable to constrict movement of said chest tube with said second anchor'"'"'s orifice.

10. An anchor for securing a device comprising:

a first inflatable body and a second inflatable body, each of said bodies having an interior space adapted for holding a fill material and having a donut-shaped configuration;

wherein an exterior surface of each of said bodies defines an orifice centrally therethrough; and

a first fill line in communication with the interior space of said first inflatable body and a second fill line in communication with the interior space of said second inflatable body;

whereby inflating said bodies constricts a diameter of said orifice for preventing movement of a device passing therethrough.

11. The anchor of claim 10 wherein at least one of said inflatable bodies is selectively deflatable.

12. The anchor of claim 11 wherein each of said fill lines include a fill port having a one-way valve.

13. The anchor of claim 12 wherein said fill ports are adapted for receiving a syringe for adding or removing fill material from said interior space of its respective inflatable body.

14. The anchor of claim 13 wherein said fill material comprises a fluid.

15. The anchor of claim 10 wherein at least one of said inflatable bodies is movable along a length of said device in a deflated state and secured to said device in an inflated state.

16. The anchor of claim 15 wherein said device is a chest tube.

17. The anchor of claim 16 wherein said first inflatable body is positioned inside a patient'"'"'s chest in the deflated state.

18. The anchor of claim 17 wherein the first inflatable body is positioned parallel and adjacent a chest wall of said patient.

19. The anchor of claim 18 wherein said first inflatable body is inflated with a fill material after being positioned.

20. The anchor of claim 19 wherein said second inflatable body is positioned and inflated on a side of said chest wall opposite said first inflatable body.