Injection Molded Adjustable Shape Abscess Irrigation Device

• US 20130123708A1
• Filed: 11/16/2011
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MGS Manufacturing Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: MGS Manufacturing Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Sellers, Mark G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,696,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/177
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0283 with at least two inner passageways, a first one for irrigating and a second for evacuating suction-irrigation systems A61M1/77; aspiration tips with fluid supply means A61M1/85; for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0291 with dilating fingers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An adjustable shape abscess irrigation device includes a first tube that is slidably associated with a second tube. The irrigation device includes a retainer that defines a variable shape diameter. The diameter of the retainer is selectively adjustable by the relative positioning of the first tube and the second tube such that, once placed relative to an abscess, the shape of the device can be manipulated to allow desired drainage of irrigation and abscess fluids beyond the confines of the abscess. Upon adequate drainage of the abscess, the cross-section shape of the retainer can be reduced to facilitate more comfortable and less detrimental removal of the device from the patient. Preferably, the irrigation device is formed via one or multi-shot injection molding and is formed of more than material.

Claims

1. An abscess irrigation device comprising:

a tube having an elongate shape that extends between a first end and a second end;

a fluid path formed through the tube along the elongate shape;

a sleeve movably supported by the tube and having a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end; and

a retainer secured to the sleeve and the tube, the retainer having at least two arms that extend in an outward radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the tube, a degree of extension of the arms from the longitudinal axis being adjustably defined by a position of the sleeve relative to the tube.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a vent that fluidly connects the fluid path to a physiologic cavity.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the vent is further defined as at least two openings.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the at least two openings are oriented in different directions and formed at least one of the retainer and the tube.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein a distance between adjacent arms maintains a gap between anatomies adjacent the arms.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is at least one of radially or longitudinally movable relative to the tube to alter a distance that the arms extend from the longitudinal axis.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the tube is constructed of a less pliable material than the retainer.

8. A method of forming an anatomical drainage tool comprising:

positioning a first tube concentrically with respect to a second tube; and

connecting the first tube to the second tube with a living hinge such that a relative positioning of the first tube to the second tube manipulates a radial diameter of the drainage tool via movement of the living hinge.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein manipulating the radial diameter of the drainage tool is performed by at least one of longitudinally translating and rotationally translating the second tube relative to the first tube.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising forming the living hinge with a plurality of members that each extend in different radial directions from a longitudinal axis of the first tube.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising forming a vent in at least one of the first tube the second tube, and the living hinge.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising forming the vent with a plurality of openings and directing each opening in a different direction.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising forming the living hinge with a material that is more pliable than at least one of the first tube and the second tube.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising injection molding the first tube, the second tube and the living hinge.

15. An abscess drainage tool comprising:

a first tube and a second tube slidably associated with one another;

a first fluid path formed through the first tube;

a retainer connecting the first tube to the second tube, the retainer having a variable diameter such that a relative orientation of the first tube and the second tube defines an instantaneous diameter of the retainer; and

a second fluid path formed at least one of between the first tube and the second tube and between the second tube and adjacent anatomy such that fluid introduced into an abscess via one of the first fluid path and the second fluid path discharges from the abscess via the other of the first fluid path and the second fluid path.

16. The abscess drainage tool of claim 15 wherein the retainer further comprises as least one living hinge whose orientation is directly dependant on an orientation of the first tube relative to the second tube.

17. The abscess drainage tool of claim 16 wherein the orientation of the living hinge is determined by at least one of a radial orientation and a longitudinal orientation of the first tube relative to the second tube.

18. The abscess drainage tool of claim 15 wherein the retainer further comprises a first living hinge associated with the first tube, a second living hinge associated with the second tube, and an intermediary living hinge that connects a first portion and a second portion of the retainer.

19. The abscess drainage tool of claim 18 wherein the retainer is secured between an in vivo end of the first tube and an in vivo end of the second tube.

20. The abscess drainage tool of claim 19 further comprising at least one vent formed in the retainer between the first living hinge of the retainer and the in vivo end of the first tube.

21. The abscess drainage tool of claim 15 wherein the variable diameter of the retainer is defined by a plurality of adjustable arms that extend in different radial directions relative to a concentric longitudinal axis of the first tube and the second tube.