Variable Diameter Surgical Drains And Sheaths
First Claim
1. A surgical drain comprising:
- an elongated structure comprisinga 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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A surgical drain comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (13, 16, 17, 18)
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- 2. The surgical drain according to claim 2, further comprising a diameter-varying element.
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14-15. -15. (canceled)
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20. A system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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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.
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23-48. -48. (canceled)
Specification