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Catheters with adjustable external locking bolsters

  • US 5,374,254 A
  • Filed: 03/03/1992
  • Issued: 12/20/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A medical device adapted for indwelling placement in a patient comprising:

  • a flexible tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said distal end is adapted for placement inside of a body of the patient in a normal implanted orientation and said proximal end is adapted for placement outside of the body;

    said tubular member further defining a lumen which provides a fluid passageway between said proximal and said distal ends;

    said flexible tubular member further having multiple engagement elements located on an outside surface;

    a separate external coupling incorporating at least one matching engagement element capable of selective engagement with at least one of said multiple engagement elements on the outside surface of said tubular member to selectively position said coupling on said tubular member such that said coupling rests close to a skin surface outside the body;

    means for locking said coupling to said tubular member after selective positioning of said coupling on said tubular member to rest securely close to the skin surface to prevent said engaged engagement elements on both said coupling and said tubular member from disengagement such that said coupling and tubular member become fixed together to prevent inward migration of the tubular member within the body andwherein said coupling defines a curved passageway having a proximal end and a distal end and said coupling includes multiple matching engagement elements positioned within said curved passageway including at least one aligned-oriented engagement element in the distal end of said curved passageway which defines means for selective engagement with at least one of said multiple engagement elements on the outside surface of said tubular member in an aligned orientation relative to the normal implanted orientation and at least one side-oriented engagement element in the proximal end of said curved passageway which defines means for selective engagement with at least one of said multiple engagement elements on the outside surface of said tubular member in a non-aligned orientation relative to the normal implanted orientation and wherein said locking means includes tension between at least one of said engaged engagement elements of said tubular member with said at least one side-oriented engagement element of said coupling caused by bending of said flexible tubular member within said curved passageway.

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