STEERABLE KINK-RESISTANT SHEATH

• US 20110066105A1
• Filed: 11/19/2010
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Inventors: Gadberry, Donald L., Kahle, Henry, Hilal, Nabil, Brustad, John R., Hart, Charles C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,721,826 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/95.04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/58 helically
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/18 using tubular layers or sheathings B29C63/26 and B29C63/38 take precedence; placing tubular labels around rigid containers B65C3/065
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 23/18 Pleated or corrugated hoses
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2019/00 Use of rubber not provided for in a single one of main groups B29K2007/00 - B29K2011/00, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2083/00 Use of polymers having silicon, with or without sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon only, in the main chain, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7546 Surgical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 1/08 Tubular products

Abstract

A steerable kink resistant access device is provided having an elongated body and a steerable portion; methods for manufacturing the kink resistant device are also provided. The access sheath has an outside diameter sufficiently small so that it may be inserted into a body cavity or conduit. The access sheath typically has two internal lumen, a first lumen sized and configured as an access to a surgical site and a second lumen sized and configured to contain a tensioning device that, when acted upon, will deflect the steerable portion. The tensioning device may be directly or remotely attached to an actuation device that operates to control the tensioning and loosening of the tensioning device.

Claims

1. A surgical access device comprising:

a tube having a substantially rigid portion and a substantially flexible portion extending from the substantially rigid portion, the tube including a primary lumen and a secondary lumen both extending through the tube, the secondary lumen having a tensioning device extending through the secondary lumen and connected to the flexible portion;

a Y-connector having a distal end connected to the tube and a proximal end including a funnel-shaped portion, the tensioning device extending through the connector from the distal end toward the proximal end;

a flexible tubing connected to the Y-connector through which the tensioning device extends;

a handle connected to the flexible tubing and including an axle disposed within the handle and a knob connected to and outside the handle, the axle connected to the tensioning device and the knob;

a pawl connected to the handle;

a trigger connected to the handle and the pawl; and

a set of teeth connected to the axle and operatively engaging with the pawl;

wherein the trigger when actuated causes the pawl to move to disengage the pawl from the teeth.

2. The surgical access device of claim 1, further comprising finger holds disposed radially throughout the knob.

3. The surgical access device of claim 1, wherein the trigger comprises a button slidable between a first position and a second position.

6. The surgical access device of claim 1, wherein the tensioning device is at least one pull wire.

7. The surgical access device of claim 1, wherein the handle further comprises a directional indicator.

8. The surgical access device of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises an inner plastic body, a spring coil and an outer plastic body.

10. The surgical access device of claim 1, wherein the flexible portion includes a weakened region extending along the flexible portion.

11. The surgical access device of claim 1, wherein the flexible portion includes slots extending along the flexible portion and slits extending along the flexible portion on a generally opposing side of the slots, the slots being larger than the slits.

5. The surgical access device of claim 5, wherein the trigger, when disposed in the second position, causes the pawl to move to disengage the pawl from the teeth.

4. The surgical access device of claim 5, wherein the trigger, when disposed in the first position, causes the pawl to move to engage the pawl with the teeth.

12. A method of manufacturing a thin-walled tube, comprising:

coating a wire with a plastic material;

wrapping the coated wire around a mandrel forming a plurality of windings; and

heating the wound coated wire until the plastic material melts and bonds the windings forming a wire-reinforced tube.

9. The surgical access device of claim 12, wherein the inner plastic body is surrounded by the spring coil and covered by the outer plastic body.

16. The method of claim 16, wherein the tube has a wall thickness of about 0.015″

or less.

13. The method of claim 16, wherein the plastic material comprises at least one of polyurethane, a thermoplastic material and a thermoset material.

14. The method recited of claim 16, wherein the wire comprises at least one of a metallic material and a second plastic material.

15. The method of claim 16, wherein the wire is coated with the plastic material in a coextrusion process.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising compressing the windings as the coated wire is being heated.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising removing the wire-reinforced tube from the mandrel after the tube is cooled.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the wound coated tube is heated until the plastic material is formed above, below and between all the windings.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising dipping the tube in a solvent based solution forming an outer layer of the tube.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the mandrel is tapered to provide the tube with varying diameter throughout the length of the tube.