Vena cava window
First Claim
1. A combination device for intravenous therapy comprising:
- a sheath suitable for insertion into a vein having a proximal end to be located at the surface of the skin and a distal end to be located in a patient'"'"'s vein;
an inner catheter to be inserted inside said sheath capable of transferring fluids;
means for attaching said sheath to said inner catheter;
means for attaching said sheath to a skin surface;
means for sealing the proximal end of said sheath; and
means for controlling fluid flow located at the distal end of said sheath operable by mechanical movement of the inner catheter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a combination device for long-term intravenous therapy comprising an outer sheath 11 and an inner catheter 15. The outer sheath 11 is permanently implanted in the patient allowing repeated or continuous access to the venous system. Inner catheter 15 is inserted into the outer sheath and comprises several conventional configurations such as single lumen, dual lumen, depending on the particular therapy. When therapy is complete, or when needed to avoid blockage by clotting or infection resulting from contamination, the inner catheter may be removed. When the inner catheter 15 is not in place, the sheath 11 is sealed at the proximal or skin-surface end by cap 16. The cap provides a flat, inconspicuous surface which may be covered with a small bandage. In this configuration, the patient is also protected from injury in that the likelihood of physical damage to protruding hardware is minimized. The present invention permits home therapy, including insertion and removal of catheters (using sterile techniques) by non-medical assistants.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A combination device for intravenous therapy comprising:
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a sheath suitable for insertion into a vein having a proximal end to be located at the surface of the skin and a distal end to be located in a patient'"'"'s vein; an inner catheter to be inserted inside said sheath capable of transferring fluids; means for attaching said sheath to said inner catheter; means for attaching said sheath to a skin surface; means for sealing the proximal end of said sheath; and means for controlling fluid flow located at the distal end of said sheath operable by mechanical movement of the inner catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for long-term intravenous therapy comprising the steps of:
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providing a permanent access to a vein; inserting a temporary access to the vein through said permanent access; through said permanent access; transferring fluids to and from the bloodstream through said temporary access; removing said temporary access; and
sealing said permanent access. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification