VARIABLE DIAMETER SURGICAL DRAINS AND SHEATHS

• US 20090318898A1
• Filed: 06/16/2009
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Richard Dein
• Original Assignee: John Richard Dein
• Inventors: Dein, John Richard
• Granted Patent: US 8,403,913 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/541
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0023 by the form of the lumen, e.g. cross-section, variable diameter
• 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

Abstract

Surgical drains and methods for using the same for draining a body cavity are provided. Aspects of the surgical drains of the invention include an elongated structure having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen configured to drain a substance from the body cavity. The distal end is configured to be placed in a body cavity and change in diameter when present in the body cavity from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, where the change in diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element. Aspects of the invention further include sheaths configured to be disposed around surgical drains, such as surgical drains of the invention, and methods of using the surgical drains and sheaths. The devices and methods of the invention find use in a variety of applications.

Claims

1. A surgical drain comprising:

an elongated structure comprising

a distal end configured to be placed in a thoracic body cavity and change in diameter when present in the thoracic body cavity from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter,

wherein the change in diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element;

a proximal end configured to be outside of the body when the distal end is present in the body cavity; and

a lumen configured to drain a substance from the thoracic body cavity.

13. The surgical drain according to claim 1, wherein the elongated structure further comprises a tubular structure disposed on the outer surface of the elongated structure.

16. The surgical drain according to claim 1, wherein the elongated structure further comprises branches.

17. The surgical drain according to claim 1, wherein the elongated structure further comprises a coating.

18. The surgical drain according to claim 17, wherein the coating is a friction-reduction coating.

2. The surgical drain according to claim 2, further comprising a diameter-varying element.

3. The surgical drain according to claim 2, wherein the diameter-varying element is present when the elongated structure is initially placed in the body cavity.

4. The surgical drain according to claim 2, wherein the diameter-varying element is inserted into the elongated structure after the elongated structure has been placed in the body cavity.

5. The surgical drain according to claim 2, wherein the elongated structure further comprises a wall portion and a core portion.

6. The surgical drain according to claim 5, wherein the diameter-varying element is in the wall portion of the elongated structure.

7. The surgical drain according to claim 5, wherein the diameter-varying element is in the core portion of the elongated structure.

8. The surgical drain according to claim 2, wherein the diameter-varying element is a wire.

9. The surgical drain according to claim 2, wherein the diameter-varying element is a balloon.

10. The surgical drain according to claim 9, wherein the balloon has a spiral configuration.

11. The surgical drain according to claim 9, wherein the balloon has a linear configuration.

12. The surgical drain according to claim 7, wherein the diameter-varying element is a central spline.

19. The surgical drain according to claim 5, wherein the elongated structure further comprises a lumen in the wall of the elongated structure configured to deliver a pharmaceutical agent.

15. The surgical drain according to claim 15, wherein the tubular structure is secured at the proximal end of the elongated structure.

14. The surgical drain according to claim 15, wherein the tubular structure is secured at the distal end of the elongated structure.

20. A system comprising:

an elongated structure comprising;

a distal end configured to be placed in an thoracic body cavity and change in diameter when present in the thoracic body cavity from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, wherein the change in diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element;

a proximal end configured to be outside of the body when the distal end is present in the body cavity; and

a lumen configured to drain a substance from the thoracic body cavity; and

a drainage apparatus.

21. The system according to claim 20, further comprising a diameter-varying element.

22. A method of draining a body cavity in a body, the method comprising:

positioning a distal end of an elongated structure in a body cavity, wherein the elongated structure comprises;

a distal end configured to be placed in a body cavity and change in diameter when present in the body cavity from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, wherein the change in diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element;

a proximal end configured to be outside of the body when the distal end is present in the body cavity; and

a lumen configured to drain a substance from the body cavity;

draining a substance from the body cavity via the positioned surgical drain;

decreasing the diameter of the distal end of the elongated structure prior to removal of the elongated structure; and

removing the distal end of the elongated structure from the body cavity.

23-48. -48. (canceled)