Method and apparatus for catheterization access
First Claim
1. An access tube assembly comprising:
- an elastic access tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the tube has an intrinsic length and intrinsic outer diameter when not restrained under axial tension or radial compression;
a stylet receivable within the central lumen and coupled to the distal end of the elastic access tube; and
a removable sheath covering at least a distal portion of the elastic tube and having an inner diameter which is less than the intrinsic outer diameter of the elastic tube;
wherein the elastic access tube is releasably restrained so as to have a reduced outer diameter.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for percutaneous placement of access tubes, such as feeding and drainage tubes, vascular catheters, and the like, comprises an elastic access tube in an internal stylet. The stylet is received within a central lumen of the access tube and is used to axially elongate the tube, resulting in a reduced diameter. In a first embodiment, the diameter of the access tube is reduced sufficiently so that it can be placed through a relatively narrow penetration and so that it will radially expand by an amount sufficient to cause a tight anchor and seal against the penetration when the stylet is removed. In a second embodiment, the stylet has a sharpened distal tip which extends beyond the distal end of the access tube when in its axially extended configuration. The sharpened tip allows self-introduction of the assembly of access tube and stylet. In a third embodiment, a distal portion of the access tube is covered with a lubricous sheath. The lubricous sheath facilitates use of the assembly in combination with a dilation member which is radially expanded when the assembly of access tube and stylet is introduced therethrough.
426 Citations
69 Claims
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1. An access tube assembly comprising:
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an elastic access tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the tube has an intrinsic length and intrinsic outer diameter when not restrained under axial tension or radial compression; a stylet receivable within the central lumen and coupled to the distal end of the elastic access tube; and a removable sheath covering at least a distal portion of the elastic tube and having an inner diameter which is less than the intrinsic outer diameter of the elastic tube; wherein the elastic access tube is releasably restrained so as to have a reduced outer diameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An access tube assembly comprising:
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an elastic access tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the tube has an intrinsic length and intrinsic outer diameter when not under axial tension or radial compression, and a reduced outer diameter when under an axial tension; and a stylet having a proximal end and a distal end and being receivable within the central lumen of the elastic access tube, wherein the distal end of the stylet is detachably securable to the distal end of the access tube and is capable of applying the axial tension to the elastic tube, and the stylet includes a penetration element at its distal end for facilitating percutaneous introduction. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An access tube assembly comprising:
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an elongate dilation member including a radially expandable tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, an axial lumen, and a penetration member at the distal end; an elastic access tube having a proximal end, distal end, and a central lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the tube has an intrinsic length and intrinsic outer diameter when not under axial tension or radial compression; and a stylet receivable within the central lumen and engagable against the distal end of the elastic access tube, wherein a tapered distal end is formed on the elastic access tube when under axial tension from the stylet, whereby the tapered distal end facilitates introduction of the access tube and stylet through the axial lumen of the elongate dilation member. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for introducing and anchoring an access tube in a tissue penetration, said method comprising:
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introducing the access tube through the penetration to a target location while the access tube is under sufficient axial tension so that the outer diameter of the tube is at least 10% less than the intrinsic diameter when the tube is not under axial tension; and releasing the axial tension so that the diameter of the tube expands and seals radially against peripheral tissue along the penetration. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A method for introducing and anchoring an access tube in a tissue penetration, said method comprising:
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penetrating an elongate dilation member through tissue to a target location; introducing the access tube through a lumen of the elongate dilation member while the access tube is under sufficient axial tension so that the outer diameter of the tube is at least 10% less than the intrinsic diameter when the tube is not under stress; removing the elongate dilation member to leave the access tube in the tissue penetration; and releasing the axial tension so that the diameter of the tube expands so as to dilate and seal radially against peripheral tissue along the penetration. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66)
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67. An access tube assembly comprising:
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an elastic access tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a radially sealed central lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the tube has an intrinsic length and intrinsic outer diameter when not restrained under an axial tension or a radial compression; a stylet receivable within the central lumen and coupled to the distal end of the elastic access tube; and a removable sheath covering at least a distal portion of the elastic tube and having an inner diameter which is less than the intrinsic outer diameter of the elastic tube; wherein the elastic access tube is releasably restrained so as to have a reduced outer diameter. - View Dependent Claims (68, 69)
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Specification