Catheter assembly including coiled internal bolster
First Claim
1. A catheter assembly comprising:
- (a) a catheter, the catheter having a first end and a second end; and
(b) an internal bolster disposed at the first end of the catheter, the internal bolster, in a first state, having a generally planar shape;
(c) wherein the catheter is generally perpendicular to the internal bolster in the first state.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter assembly including a medical catheter and an internal bolster. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter is an elongated, tubular structure preferably made of a flexible, biocompatible material. The catheter is shaped to include a generally cylindrical wall terminating in a first end and in a second end, the wall coaxially surrounding and defining a longitudinal bore preferably used to convey fluids, such as food and/or medications, to a patient in need thereof. The internal bolster is an elongated, semi-tubular structure preferably made of a flexible, biocompatible material. The bolster is resiliently and reversibly transformable between a generally planar shape, when at rest, and a straightened shape, when forcibly unfurled. The bolster has an inner end and an outer end, the inner end being generally centrally located. The inner end of the bolster is insert-molded around the first end of the catheter, with the catheter and the bolster being oriented relative to one another so that the longitudinal axis of the catheter extends generally perpendicularly to the plane of the bolster in its coiled state, with the open, semi-tubular structure of the bolster facing away from the catheter.
47 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A catheter assembly comprising:
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(a) a catheter, the catheter having a first end and a second end; and (b) an internal bolster disposed at the first end of the catheter, the internal bolster, in a first state, having a generally planar shape; (c) wherein the catheter is generally perpendicular to the internal bolster in the first state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A catheter assembly comprising:
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(a) a catheter, the catheter having a first end and a second end; and (b) an internal bolster disposed at the first end of the catheter, the internal bolster being flat or semi-tubular. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A catheter assembly comprising:
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(a) a catheter, the catheter having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis; and (b) an internal bolster, the internal bolster having a first end and a second end, the first end of the internal bolster being mounted on the second end of the catheter, the internal bolster, in a first state, being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (27, 29)
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28. The catheter assembly as claimed in 26 wherein the internal bolster has a 3-dimensional shape.
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30. A catheter assembly comprising:
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(a) a catheter, the catheter having a first end, a second end, an outer diameter and a longitudinal axis; and (b) an internal bolster disposed at the first end of the catheter, the internal bolster being an elongated member having a first end, a second end and an outer diameter, the outer diameter of the elongated member substantially matching the outer diameter of the catheter, the internal bolster, in a first state, being generally perpendicular to the catheter.
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31. A kit for use in implanting a catheter assembly in a patient, the kit comprising:
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(a) a catheter assembly, the catheter assembly comprising (i) a catheter, the catheter having a first end and a second end, and (ii) an internal bolster disposed at the first end of the catheter, the internal bolster, in a first state, having a generally planar shape; (iii) wherein the catheter is generally perpendicular to the internal bolster in the first state; and (b) a delivery device, the delivery device being a tubular member appropriately dimensioned to be inserted over the catheter assembly from the second end of the catheter and to unfurl the resilient members.
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Specification