Gastrostomy tube
First Claim
1. A gastrostomy tube comprising a tubular portion having first and second ends and a retaining element disposed near the first end of the tubular portion, said retaining element comprising three resilient petaloid flanges which extend radially from the tubular portion with substantially triangular connecting portions interposed between and connecting each pair of next adjacent petaloid flanges, the ends of the petaloid flanges which are distal from the tubular portion being rounded, the petaloid flanges and connecting portions being shaped such that said retaining element has a triangular shape with rounded vertices, and said petaloid flanges being less flexible than said connecting portions, between the retaining element and said second end the tubular portion comprises a material having a durometer in the range of 30 to 40 Shore A and the petaloid flanges of the retaining element comprise a material having a durometer in the range of 50 to 80 Shore A.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gastrostomy tube has a retaining element which has a generally triangular shape with rounded vertices. The retaining element is made up of three resilient petaloid flanges which extend radially from the tubular portion of the gastrostomy tube. The petaloid flanges and the tubular portion are made of different materials. Substantially triangular connecting portions are interposed between and interconnect each pair of next adjacent petaloid flanges. The petaloid flanges are rendered less flexible than the connecting portions by either variations in thickness or materials between the petaloid flanges and connecting portions. The assembly of a gastrostomy tube and a tapered dilator is also disclosed.
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Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A gastrostomy tube comprising a tubular portion having first and second ends and a retaining element disposed near the first end of the tubular portion, said retaining element comprising three resilient petaloid flanges which extend radially from the tubular portion with substantially triangular connecting portions interposed between and connecting each pair of next adjacent petaloid flanges, the ends of the petaloid flanges which are distal from the tubular portion being rounded, the petaloid flanges and connecting portions being shaped such that said retaining element has a triangular shape with rounded vertices, and said petaloid flanges being less flexible than said connecting portions, between the retaining element and said second end the tubular portion comprises a material having a durometer in the range of 30 to 40 Shore A and the petaloid flanges of the retaining element comprise a material having a durometer in the range of 50 to 80 Shore A.
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11. An assembly of a gastrostomy tube and a tapered dilator comprising;
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(a) a gastrostomy tube comprising a tubular portion having first and second ends and a retaining element disposed near the first end of the tubular portion, said retaining element comprising three resilient petaloid flanges which extend radially from the tubular portion with substantially triangular connecting portions interposed between and connecting each pair of next adjacent petaloid flanges, the ends of the petaloid flanges which are distal from the tubular portion being rounded, the petaloid flanges and connecting portions being shaped such that said retaining element has a triangular shape with rounded vertices, and said petaloid flanges being less flexible than said connecting portions, between the retaining element and said second end the tubular portion comprises a material having a durometer in the range of 30 to 40 Shore A and the petaloid flanges of the retaining element comprise a material having a durometer in the range of 50 to 80 Shore A; and
,(b) a tapered dilator having first and second ends with a lumen extending between said ends of the dilator, the outside diameter of the dilator being greater at said first end than at said second end, the second end of the gastrostomy tube being connected to the first end of the dilator by means for connecting, the tubular portion of the gastrostomy tube comprising a first material and the dilator comprising a second material. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification