Catheter with superelastic retention device

• US 20060229553A1
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Vance Products Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Willis, Tracy E., Hammack, Anthony D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,177,741 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/96.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/229 Stopcocks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves

Abstract

A retention device for use in a human or mammalian body includes superelastic wires that expand when they are released from a confined state. The retention device may have the outer form of a Foley catheter. One or more superelastic wires within the balloon of a Foley catheter help to insure retention within the body, such as within a urinary bladder.

Claims

1. A retention device, comprising:

a catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

a balloon mounted on the catheter between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the balloon connected to a fluid path in a proximal portion of the catheter;

at least one superelastic wire contained in the balloon and in at least one lumen within the catheter, wherein the at least one wire assumes an expanded state when the balloon is inflated.

2. The retention device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least two superelastic wires and the catheter comprises a lumen for each wire.

3. The retention device of claim 1, further comprising an obturator.

4. The retention device of claim 1, further comprising an inflation check valve.

5. The retention device of claim 1, further comprising a stopcock connected to the drainage lumen.

6. The retention device of claim 1, wherein the fluid path comprises a central lumen in the catheter.

7. The retention device of claim 1, wherein the fluid path comprises a non-central lumen in the catheter.

8. The retention device of claim 1, wherein the obturator is made from a polymeric material.

9. The retention device of claim 1, wherein at least one superelastic wire is anchored to the catheter or to the balloon.

10. The retention device of claim 1, wherein at least one superelastic wire has a retention feature.

11. A retention device, comprising:

a catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

a balloon mounted on the distal portion, the balloon connected to an inflation lumen in the catheter and an inflation port on the proximal portion; and

at least two superelastic wires contained in the balloon and in at least one lumen in the catheter, the wires anchored to the distal portion.

12. The retention device of claim 11, wherein the wires are flat or wedge-shaped.

13. The retention device of claim 11, further comprising at least one of an obturator, a connecting tube, and a stopcock for use with the retention device.

14. The retention device of claim 11, wherein the wires have a transformation temperature below room temperature.

15. The retention device of claim 11, wherein at least one superelastic wire has a retention feature.

16. A method for making a retention device, the method comprising:

extruding a longitudinal portion having at least a first lumen for drainage and a second lumen for inflation;

attaching a balloon to a distal end of the longitudinal portion;

attaching at least two superelastic wires to the distal end or to the balloon;

placing the at least two superelastic wires through at least two lumens of the longitudinal portion; and

attaching a connector to at least one of the drainage lumen and the inflation lumen to form at least one of a drainage port or an inflation port.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising heat treating the at least two superelastic wires such that the wires have a transformation temperature below room temperature.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising attaching a check valve to the connector.