VIDEO-GUIDED CHEST TUBE INSERTION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A chest tube placement apparatus, comprising:
- an elongate body with a rigid tip configured for insertion into a flexible chest tube having a hollow interior; and
at least one inflatable member coupled to an exterior surface of the elongate body;
the inflatable member having a first expanded position that stiffens a chest tube and a second unexpanded position that restores flexibility to the chest tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A chest tube placement apparatus is provided that has an elongate body with a rigid tip that is disposed within the interior of a flexible chest tube and an inflatable member mounted to the body is inflated and the apparatus is then inserted in a prepared location in the chest wall of a patient. The body of the apparatus has at least one axial material transfer channel with a tip port that permits the injection of anesthetic or the aspiration of gases or liquids at the tip. The body also has a light and video camera and display to allow the visualization of the internal structures of the patient during chest tube placement. Once placed and the fluids and gases aspirated, the inflatable member is deflated and the apparatus is removed from the interior of the placed chest tube.
15 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A chest tube placement apparatus, comprising:
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an elongate body with a rigid tip configured for insertion into a flexible chest tube having a hollow interior; and at least one inflatable member coupled to an exterior surface of the elongate body; the inflatable member having a first expanded position that stiffens a chest tube and a second unexpanded position that restores flexibility to the chest tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A chest tube placement apparatus, comprising:
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an elongate body with a rigid tip configured for insertion into a flexible chest tube having a hollow interior; a video camera disposed within said elongate body coupled to a display monitor by a video lead; and a circumferential inflatable member coupled to an exterior surface of the elongate body; the inflatable member having a first expanded position that stiffens a chest tube and a second unexpanded position that restores flexibility to the chest tube; wherein video images from said video camera are displayed on the display monitor; and wherein position of the chest tube and internal structures within the body of a patient during insertion can be monitored. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A chest tube placement apparatus, comprising:
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an elongate body with a rigid tip and an axial material transfer channel coupled to a tubular material transfer lead and a tip port; a video camera disposed within said elongate body coupled to a display monitor by a video lead; a circumferential inflatable member mounted to an exterior surface of the elongate body and coupled to a tubular inflation lead and source of compressed air; and a sterile sleeve coupled to the elongate body, said sterile sleeve enclosing said material transfer lead, video lead and inflation lead; wherein the inflatable member has a first expanded position that stiffens a chest tube when inserted into a hollow interior of a chest tube and a second unexpanded position that restores flexibility to the chest tube; wherein video images from said video camera are displayed on the display monitor; and wherein position of the chest tube and internal structures within the body of a patient during insertion can be monitored. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification