Stiffening of probes

• US 4,798,593 A
• Filed: 03/10/1987
• Issued: 01/17/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: nv nutricia
• Original Assignee: Pfrummer-Viggo Gmh+Company KG
• Inventors: Iwatschenko, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/023,992
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 604/281, 604/265, 604/270, 604/164, 604/285, 604/275, 128/657
• US Class Current: 604/170.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0102 Insertion or introduction using an inner stiffening member, e.g. stylet or push-rod

Abstract

A guide for the stiffening of a probe made of a flexible material is disposed in the probe during insertion of the probe into a body cavity, the guide being removed again after the probe has been inserted into the body cavity, the guide being a wire element provided with a coating of a biocompatible material of which at least the surface is hydrophilic.

Claims

1. A guide for the stiffening of probes which are made of flexible material and in which the guide is disposed during insertion of the probe into a body cavity and is withdrawn from the probe after the probe has been inserted into the body cavity, comprising a single elongated wire guide element adapted to be inserted into and withdrawn from said probe, a coating on said wire guide element made of a biocompatible material of which at least the surface is hydrophilic, a connector fastened to an outer end of said wire guide element, said connector having a first coupling means for coupling said connector to said probe, and a second coupling means for coupling a lubricant-introducing device to said connector, said connector further having a passage providing communication between said first and second coupling means.

2. A guide according to claim 1, wherein said probe has an adapter element at an outer end thereof, said first coupling means coupling said adapter element to said connector.

3. A guide according to claim 2, wherein said first coupling means comprises a plug part, said adapter element having a channel receiving said plug part for effecting a coupling therebetween.

4. A guide according to claim 1, wherein the outer end of said wire guide element has a loop, said connector having a loopreceiving means for receiving said loop to thereby connect said wire guide element to said connector.

5. A guide according to claim 1, wherein said connector comprises two parts which are mated approximately along an axial junction plane, each of said two parts having a recess opening onto said junction plane, the outer end of said wire guide element having a loop which is received in said recess, said passage extending between said recess and said first and second coupling means.

6. A guide according to claim 1, wherein said second coupling means has a seating surface, said lubricant-introducing device being a syringe having an outlet flange which seats on said seating surface.

7. A guide according to claim 6, wherein said seating surface has a partial conical configuration.

8. A method of inserting a flexible probe element into a body cavity such as the stomach, duodenum or the like, comprising:

forming a single elongated stiff wire element having the necessary stiffness which would enable the stiff wire element to be inserted into said body cavity;

coating said stiff wire element with gelatin having biocompatible alcohol added thereto and providing a hydrophilic outer surface on said gelatin coating;

inserting said coated stiff wire element into a flexible probe element such that the stiff coated wire element imparts stiffening to said flexible probe element;

inserting said probe element with the coated stiff wire element therein into said body cavity;

reducing the friction between said stiff wire element and said flexible probe element by introducing a liquid into said flexible probe element such that such liquid contacts said hydrophilic surface to thereby effect the friction reduction between said gelatin coating and said flexible probe element;

utilizing said effect of friction reduction to facilitate withdrawal of said coated stiff wire element from said flexible probe element; and

leaving said flexible probe element in said body cavity, whereby said stiff wire element provides the necessary stiffness to said flexible probe element to permit insertion of the latter into said body cavity while said gelatin coating reduces friction to facilitate withdrawal of said stiff wire element from said flexible probe element.