Methods for making a catheter assembly having a composite catheter stabilizing device

• US 6,342,120 B1
• Filed: 01/03/2000
• Issued: 01/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medical Components, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Medical Components, Inc.
• Inventors: Basta, Michael Ignazio
• Primary Examiner(s): Ball, Michael W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kilkenny, Todd J.
• Application Number:
  US09/476,755
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 156/294, 156/293, 156/304.2, 156/213, 156/242, 604/104, 604/93, 604/174, 604/175, 604/523
• US Class Current: 156/242
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0043 characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence

Abstract

A composite catheter stabilizing device, a catheter assembly including such a stabilizing device and a device for removing a catheter assembly are provided. The stabilizing device includes a cuff having a first and second edge which is configured to be positioned around a catheter. The device further includes a first and second end piece. The first and second end pieces have internal surfaces defining tubular openings which extend through the end pieces. The first and second end pieces are tapered from first sides which abut the edges of the cuff to second sides and the second sides of the end pieces are configured for receiving a catheter in facing engagement. The device for removing a catheter assembly includes a handle and a head having an external gripping surface which is sized for inserting into a lumen of a catheter assembly having a tissue ingrowth cuff for gripping an internal surface of the catheter assembly within the cuff and dislodging the cuff from surrounding tissue.

Claims

1. A method for making a catheter assembly having a composite catheter stabilizing device, comprising the steps of:

(a) affixing a cuff having a first edge and a second edge to an external surface of a catheter;

(b) positioning a first end piece having an internal surface, a first side and a second side around the external surface of the catheter such that the first side of the first end piece abuts the first edge of the cuff;

(c) positioning a second end piece having an internal surface, a first side and a second side around the external surface of the catheter such that the first side of the second end piece abuts the second edge of the cuff, wherein the first and second end pieces are tapered from the first sides to the second sides;

(d) permanently affixing the first and second end pieces to the external surface of the catheter such that the second sides of the first and second end pieces are in facing engagement with the external surface of the catheter.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising wrapping a tissue ingrowth fabric cuff having an adhesive layer applied to a surface of the cuff around the external surface of the catheter, wherein the adhesive layer affixes the surface of the cuff to the catheter.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising heat molding the first and second end pieces to the external surface of the catheter.

4. A method for making a catheter assembly having a composite catheter stabilizing device, comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a unitary catheter having

(i) an external surface;

(ii) a lumen extending therethrough;

(iii) a first end piece tapered from the external surface of the catheter to a first side lying in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the catheter; and

(iv) a second end piece tapered from the external surface of the catheter to a first side lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the catheter, the first side of the first end piece facing and spaced from the first side of the second end piece, wherein the first and second end pieces are integrally formed or permanently affixed to the external surface of the catheter; and

(b) affixing a cuff having a first edge and a second edge to the external surface of the catheter between the first and second end pieces such that the first edge of the cuff abuts the first side of the first end piece and the second edge of the cuff abuts the first side of the second end piece.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising heat molding the unitary catheter as a single unit.

6. A method for making a catheter assembly having a composite catheter stabilizing device, comprising the steps of:

(a) permanently affixing a base having an internal surface defining a tubular opening an having a first end piece, a second end piece and a central portion to the external surface of a catheter such that the internal surface of the base is in facing engagement with the external surface of the catheter, wherein external surfaces of the first and second pieces are each tapered from a first side to a second side;

(b) affixing a cuff having a first edge and a second edge to an external surface of the central portion of the base such that the first edge of the cuff abuts the first side of the first end piece and the second edge of the cuff abuts the first side of the second edge piece.