Locking Assembly for a Drainage Catheter

• US 20110098682A1
• Filed: 10/15/2010
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies, LLC (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies, LLC (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: AGNEW, Charles W., BUNCH, Tyler J., HUNT, James B., NICKLESS, Bonita L., DUNCAN, Kate, AHMED, Mahfuza, HUTCHINSON, Nancy L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,734,426 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0163 Looped catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2027/004 with at least a part of the circuit outside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence

Abstract

A drainage catheter includes an elongated tubular member, a locking assembly engaged with a proximal end of the tubular member, and a tension member for drawing a distal end of the tubular member into a desired configuration. The locking assembly includes a connector, a locking arm, and a locking mechanism. The connector has an exterior surface profile that corresponds with an interior surface profile of the locking arm. The locking arm is pivotably attached to the connector to enable pivoting movement of the locking arm between an unlocked position and a locked position whereby the tension member is secured between the locking arm and the connector when the arm is in the locked position. The locking assembly may alternatively comprise a connector and a sliding sleeve or a connector having a clamping element disposed therein.

Claims

1. A locking assembly for use with a tension member in a drainage catheter, comprising:

(a) a connector disposed at a proximal end of the catheter, the connector having an exterior surface profile and a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough;

(b) a locking arm having an interior surface profile that corresponds with the exterior surface profile of the connector, the locking arm being pivotably attached to the connector to enable pivoting movement of the locking arm about an axis of rotation, to and between an unlocked position and a locked position whereby when the locking arm is in the locked position, the tension member is secured between the interior surface of the locking arm and the exterior surface of the connector; and

(c) a locking mechanism for preventing the locking arm from inadvertently disengaging from the locked position.

2. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface profile of the connector is cylindrical and the interior surface profile of the locking arm is curved to correspond with the cylindrical exterior surface profile of the connector.

3. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly is dimensioned to fit within a 30 Fr access sheath.

4. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector includes an aperture through which a proximal portion of the tension member may pass.

5. The locking assembly of claim 4, wherein the locking arm is in covering relation with the aperture when the locking arm is in the locked position.

6. The locking assembly of claim 5, wherein the locking arm includes a sealing element disposed on the interior surface thereof, and wherein the sealing element prevents fluid contents of the catheter from inadvertently exiting the aperture when the locking arm is in the locked position.

7. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking arm is positioned such that the axis of rotation thereof is generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the connector.

8. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the shape of the locking arm is at least partially cylindrical with a longitudinal axis thereof being generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the connector when the locking assembly is in the locked position.

9. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking arm is positioned such that the axis of rotation thereof is generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the connector.

10. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an interference fit between the connector and the locking arm.

11. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein when the locking arm is in the locked position, the locking arm is flush against the connector.

12. A locking assembly for use with a tension member in a drainage catheter, comprising:

(a) a tapered connector having an exterior surface and a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, the connector being disposed at a proximal end of the catheter;

(b) a tapered locking sleeve having an interior surface, wherein the locking sleeve is coaxially disposed about the connector and an interior surface profile of the sleeve corresponds with an exterior surface profile of the connector such that the sleeve is capable of longitudinal sliding movement relative to the connector, and

(c) a locking mechanism for securing the locking sleeve to the connector in a locked position such that the tension member is secured between the interior surface of the locking sleeve and the exterior surface of the connector.

13. The locking assembly of claim 12, wherein the connector and the locking sleeve comprise a generally conical shape.

14. The locking assembly of claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least a partial slot disposed in the exterior surface of the connector and a mating ridge extending from the interior surface of the locking sleeve, wherein when the locking sleeve slides such that the ridge of the sleeve is aligned with the mating slot of the connector, the ridge snaps into the slot for a secure fit.

15. The locking assembly of claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an interference fit between the interior surface of the sleeve and the exterior surface of the connector.

16. The locking assembly of claim 12, wherein the locking assembly is dimensioned to fit within a 30 Fr access sheath.

17. The locking assembly of claim 12, wherein the connector includes a track for guiding movement of the sleeve in a longitudinal direction along the connector.

18. The locking assembly of claim 12, wherein the connector includes an aperture through which a proximal portion of the tension member may pass.

19. The locking assembly of claim 18, wherein the sleeve includes a sealing element disposed on the interior surface thereof, wherein the sealing element is located such that it prevents any fluid contents of the catheter from inadvertently exiting the aperture when the sleeve is in the locked position.

20. A locking assembly for use with a tension member in a drainage catheter, comprising:

(a) a connector having an exterior surface and a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, the connector being disposed at a proximal end of the catheter; and

(b) a clamping element formed in the exterior surface of the connector whereby the tension member may be grasped by and secured by the clamping element.