Adjustable angle catheter
First Claim
1. A catheter disposed for insertion into a fluid-containing cavity of a patient to drain fluid therefrom, said catheter comprising:
- an elongated body provided with proximal and distal ends and with an outer surface having a circular cross-section, said elongated body being further provided with first and second lumens contained within said outer surface and extending along said body, said first lumen disposed to serve as a fluid flow passage and said second lumen being proximate to a position on said elongated body determined by the depth to which said catheter is inserted into said cavity;
a wire element inserted into said second lumen for establishing and maintaining a selected angular orientation between first and second segments of said elongated body, said first and second segments comprising the portions of said elongated body extending between said position and said proximal and distal ends, respectively; and
an annular retaining structure of selected material positioned around said elongated body and surrounding said proximal end of said wire element, to retain said wire element within said elongated body.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter is provided which is disposed for insertion into a fluid-containing cavity of a patient, such as a ventricle of the patient'"'"'s brain, to drain CSF therefrom. The catheter includes an elongated body provided with a cross-section having an outer surface which is smooth and free of projections, angles or the like which could damage adjacent brain tissue. The elongated body is further provided with proximal and distal ends, a first lumen disposed to serve as a fluid flow passage, and a second lumen extending past a given position located on the elongated body. A titanium wire element is inserted into the second lumen for enabling a neurosurgeon to readily select and adjust the angular orientation between first and second catheter segments, wherein the first and second segments comprise the portions of the elongated body extending between the given position and the proximal and distal ends, respectively. Reinforcing structure is provided around the elongated body to prevent an end of the wire from pushing or rupturing therethrough.
51 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A catheter disposed for insertion into a fluid-containing cavity of a patient to drain fluid therefrom, said catheter comprising:
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an elongated body provided with proximal and distal ends and with an outer surface having a circular cross-section, said elongated body being further provided with first and second lumens contained within said outer surface and extending along said body, said first lumen disposed to serve as a fluid flow passage and said second lumen being proximate to a position on said elongated body determined by the depth to which said catheter is inserted into said cavity; a wire element inserted into said second lumen for establishing and maintaining a selected angular orientation between first and second segments of said elongated body, said first and second segments comprising the portions of said elongated body extending between said position and said proximal and distal ends, respectively; and an annular retaining structure of selected material positioned around said elongated body and surrounding said proximal end of said wire element, to retain said wire element within said elongated body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A catheter disposed for insertion into a fluid-containing cavity of a patient to drain fluid therefrom, said catheter comprising:
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an elongated body provided with an outer surface and with proximal and distal ends, said elongated body being further provided with a first lumen and with a selected number of second lumens, each of said lumens being contained within said outer surface and extending along said body, said first lumen disposed to serve as a fluid flow passage, and each of said second lumens being proximate to a position on said elongated body determined by the depth to which said catheter is inserted into said cavity; a wire element inserted into each of said second lumens for establishing and maintaining a selected angular orientation between first and second segments of said elongated body, said first and second segments comprising the portions of said elongated body extending between said position and said proximal and distal ends, respectively; and an annular retaining structure of selected material positioned around said elongated body and surrounding said proximal end of said wire element, in order to retain said wire element within said elongated body. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification