SELF-LUBRICATING CATHETER
First Claim
1. A catheter adapted for insertion into a body passage of restricted size comprising a shaft, a main lumen traversing said shaft from a point adjacent the distal tip thereof to the proximal end thereof, and an integral lubrication system including an eye close to the distal tip of the catheter, a funnel adjacent the proximal end of the catheter, a lumen connecting said funnel to said eye, a first closure for the proximal end of said funnel and a removable second closure for the distal end of said funnel, the interior of said funnel between said closures constituting a lubricant containing chamber from which lubricant may be expressed upon removal of the removable closure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A urinary catheter provided with a lubrication lumen extending from an eye adjacent the distal tip to a reservoir adjacent the drainage funnel, with means for permitting, causing and controlling the flow of lubricant from the reservoir to the eye as the catheter is inserted into a patient.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A catheter adapted for insertion into a body passage of restricted size comprising a shaft, a main lumen traversing said shaft from a point adjacent the distal tip thereof to the proximal end thereof, and an integral lubrication system including an eye close to the distal tip of the catheter, a funnel adjacent the proximal end of the catheter, a lumen connecting said funnel to said eye, a first closure for the proximal end of said funnel and a removable second closure for the distal end of said funnel, the interior of said funnel between said closures constituting a lubricant containing chamber from which lubricant may be expressed upon removal of the removable closure.
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2. A catheter according to claim 1 which includes a flow restrainer in said second named lumen adjacent the connection thereof to said funnel.
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3. A catheter according to claim 2 wherein the flow restrainer is a cylindrical body traversed axially by an orifice smaller than the cross-section of said lumen.
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4. A catheter according to claim 1 in which the first closure is a one-way valve.
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5. A catheter according to claim 4 in which the valve is a plug of self-sealing material.
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6. A catheter according to claim 1 in which the second closure is a clamp.
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7. A catheter according to claim 1 in which said funnel is adapted to be inflated by forcible injection of lubricant, to restrain the lubricant under pressure and to express automatically a portion of the lubricant upon removal of said second closure.
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8. A catheter according to claim 1 which includes a quantity of lubricant confined in the funnel, the funnel being stretched and the lubricant being under pressure.
Specification