Variable diameter catheter
First Claim
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1. A catheter adapted to be longitudinally folded for insertion into a first end of a body orifice and then unfolded after insertion for subsequently transporting a fluid, comprising:
- a resiliently flexible tube of generally uniform diameter along its length, said tube having a wall of varying thickness around its circumference, such that said wall is longitudinally foldable upon itself, with that portion of said wall which folds upon itself being thinner than the rest of the wall; and
means for retaining a fold in said tube, said catheter tube having sufficient resilient memory, such that said folded tube will unfold to its normal rounded configuration upon removal or release of said retaining means.
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Abstract
This invention provides a variable diameter catheter which is folded in a longitudinal manner in order to reduce the diameter for convenient and less traumatic insertion into a body orifice.
643 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A catheter adapted to be longitudinally folded for insertion into a first end of a body orifice and then unfolded after insertion for subsequently transporting a fluid, comprising:
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a resiliently flexible tube of generally uniform diameter along its length, said tube having a wall of varying thickness around its circumference, such that said wall is longitudinally foldable upon itself, with that portion of said wall which folds upon itself being thinner than the rest of the wall; and means for retaining a fold in said tube, said catheter tube having sufficient resilient memory, such that said folded tube will unfold to its normal rounded configuration upon removal or release of said retaining means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A catheter and stylet assembly, the catheter being adapted to be longitudinally folded for insertion into a first end of a body orifice and then unfolded after insertion for subsequently transporting a fluid, the catheter comprising:
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a resiliently flexible tube including a proximal end and a distal end, said flexible tube being of generally uniform diameter along its length, said flexible tube having a wall of varying thickness around its circumference, such that said wall is longitudinally foldable upon itself, with that portion of said wall which folds upon itself being thinner than the rest of said wall, wherein the diameter of said folded flexible tube is substantially smaller than the diameter of said unfolded tube, said flexible tube further including a drainage lumen, an inflation lumen, and an inflatable diaphragm disposed adjacent said distal end, said inflation lumen connecting said inflatable diaphragm to said proximal end of said flexible tube, said inflation lumen being independent of said drainage lumen and adapted to selectively and independently admit and exhaust fluid from said inflatable diaphragm, said distal end of said flexible tube being further provided with a single opening communicating with said drainage lumen, said opening being sealed with a removable sealing means which is adapted to dissolve upon contact with a liquid; and the stylet being adapted to be placed within said flexible tube for retaining fold in said flexible tube, said stylet being semi-rigid for manipulating said catheter during placement within said body orifice, said stylet comprising;
a spine member and at least one series of pairs of rib elements emanating from said spine member, the rib elements of each said pair emanating from said spine member in a circular manner so that their ends approach but do not meet, the rigidity of said stylet being dependent upon the number of pairs of rib elements in said at least one series and the width of said rib elements.
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19. A method for inserting a catheter tube into a body orifice, comprising:
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(a) folding said catheter tube along its longitudinal length, wherein said tube provides a memory of a normal distended configuration, said folding being conducted and held by a retaining means; (b) inserting said folded catheter tube into said body orifice; and (c) removing said retaining means, thus causing said catheter tube to unfold.
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20. A method for removing an occlusion in a body orifice, comprising:
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(a) folding a catheter tube along its longitudinal length, wherein said tube provides a memory of a normal distended configuration, said folding being conducted and held by a retaining means; (b) inserting said folded catheter tube into said body orifice through the area of occlusion; and (c) removing said retaining means from the portion of said catheter tube adjacent said occlusion, such that said catheter tube adjacent said occlusion will unfold in response to said memory.
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Specification