FLEXIBLE MEDICAL DEVICE CONDUIT

• US 20080312600A1
• Filed: 06/12/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Krulevitch, Peter, Olson, Lorin P., Sieh, Zara, Savage, Donna
• Application Number:
  US12/138,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20080312600A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/181
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1585 Needle inserters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1587 suitable for being connected to an infusion line after insertion into a patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0009 Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3275 being connected to the needle hub or syringe by radially deflectable members, e.g. longitudinal slats, cords or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/329 characterised by features of the needle shaft

Abstract

A flexible medical device conduit includes an elongated framework formed from a flexible material (e.g., Nitinol) with a body portion, sharp head, distal end and proximal end. The flexible medical device conduit also includes a flexible tube at least partially jacketing the elongated framework between the distal end and the proximal end. Moreover, the sharp head is disposed at the distal end and is configured for subcutaneous skin insertion and the elongated framework and flexible tube define at least one conduit between the elongated framework and the flexible tube, the conduit having an opening at the distal end.

Claims

1. A flexible medical device conduit comprising:

an elongated framework formed from a flexible material, the elongated framework having;

a body portion;

a sharp head;

a distal end; and

a proximal end; and

a flexible tube at least partially jacketing the elongated framework between the distal end and the proximal end,

wherein the sharp head is disposed at the distal end;

wherein the elongated framework and flexible tube define at least one conduit therebetween with at least one opening therealong; and

wherein the sharp head is configured for insertion into a target site.

2. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 1 wherein the at least one opening is an opening at the distal end of the at least one conduit.

3. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 1 wherein the sharp head is configured for subcutaneous insertion and the target site is a skin target site.

4. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 1 wherein the flexible material is a superelastic flexible material.

5. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 1 wherein the flexible material is Nitinol.

6. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 1 wherein the elongated framework has a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional shape that varies in a predetermined manner along the longitudinal axis.

7. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 6 wherein the cross-sectional shape varies along the longitudinal axis such that the distal end is more flexible than the proximal end.

8. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 6 wherein the cross-sectional shape provides equal flexibility in two directions.

9. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 8 wherein the equal flexibility is in two orthogonal directions.

10. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 1 wherein:

the elongated framework is an elongated strip with a longitudinal axis extending from the distal end to the proximal end; and

wherein the elongated strip has at least one channel formed therein, the at least one channel disposed at least partially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and

wherein the channel and flexible tube define the at least one conduit.

11. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 10 wherein the at least one channel extends into the sharp head and wherein the at least one conduit defined by the channel and flexible tube has an opening along the sharp head.

12. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 11 wherein the elongated strip is formed from a superelastic flexible material.

13. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 12 wherein the superelastic flexible material is Nitinol.

14. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 1 wherein the elongated framework has a C-shaped cross-section.

15. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 1 wherein the elongated framework has an S-shaped cross-section.

16. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 1 wherein the elongated framework has a curved cross-section.

17. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 1 wherein the elongated framework has a rectangular cross-section with an orientation that varies along a length of the flexible medical device conduit.

18. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 1 wherein the sharp head has a first sharp edge, a second edge and a tip, with the first edge and second edge defining a tip angle.

19. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 18 wherein the tip angle is about 20 degrees.

20. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 1 wherein the flexible tube includes a plurality of holes therethrough along a length of the flexible medical device conduit, the plurality of holes being in fluid communication with the at least one conduit.

21. The flexible medical device conduit of claim 1 wherein the sharp head has at least one shoulder aligned with the flexible jacket.

22. The flexible medical device of claim 1 wherein the flexible tube is tapered at a juncture with the sharp head to, thereby, align with the sharp head.