Collapsible internal bolster for gastrostomy device

• US 6,364,858 B1
• Filed: 03/31/1998
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Research
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Research
• Inventors: Picha, George J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Seidel, Richard K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thanh, LoAn H.
• Application Number:
  US09/052,167
• Time in Patent Office: 1,463 Days
• Field of Search: 604/174-175, 604/264, 604/93, 604/275, 604/277-278, 604/523, 604/528, 604/910, 604/96.01, 604/104-108, 604/270, 604/514, 604/516, 604/93.01, 604/77, 604/79, 604/80
• US Class Current: 604/174
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3415 for introducing tubes or catheters, e.g. gastrostomy tubes, drain catheters A61B17/3417 takes precedence; body piercing catheter guide needles A61M25/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0015 Gastrostomy feeding-tubes insertion tools or methods A61B17/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0038 expandable, e.g. umbrella type

Abstract

A gastrostomy device including a tubular portion having an outer end and an inner end, and an internal bolster integrally attached to the tubular portion inner end and resiliently movable between an installation configuration and a deployed configuration. The internal bolster has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface surrounds the tubular portion inner end and is generally convex in shape. The outer surface includes a planar portion and a concave portion that extends from the planar portion. The bolster is placed in an installation configuration by the cooperative action of a rod member and a suture member. The rod member is inserted into a pocket provided on the outer surface of the bolster, and the suture member is wrapped around internal bolster to keep the internal bolster generally aligned with the tubular portion axis. Removal of the rod member and suture member from the internal bolster permits the internal bolster to return to a deployed configuration generally transverse to the tubular portion axis.

Claims

1. An internal bolster for a gastrostomy device with a tubular portion having an outer end and an inner end, the internal bolster comprising:

an inner surface being generally convex in shape and being integrally attached to and radially surrounding the tubular portion inner end;

an outer surface defining a pocket; and

a first part being defined by a first portion of the outer surface and being defined by a first portion of the inner surface that is adjacent to the tubular portion inner end, the first part radially surrounding the tubular portion inner end; and

a second part being defined by a second portion of the outer surface and being defined by a second portion of the inner surface, the second part at least partially surrounding the first part;

wherein the internal bolster is resiliently movable between an installation configuration and a deployed configuration, and

wherein the first part is less flexible than the second part.

2. An internal bolster according to claim 1, wherein the second part includes said pocket.

3. An internal bolster according to claim 2, wherein when the internal bolster is in the installation configuration the internal bolster is generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the tubular portion.

4. An internal bolster according to claim 1, wherein the second part comprises a tab-like member, the tab-like member providing said pocket.

5. An internal bolster according to claim 1, wherein the first part is relatively thicker than the second part.

6. An internal bolster according to claim 1, wherein the internal bolster has a lengthwise center line and the first part is oriented generally transverse to the center line.

7. An internal bolster according to claim 1, wherein the first part is generally oval in shape.

8. An internal bolster for a gastrostomy device with a tubular portion having an outer end and an inner end, the internal bolster comprising:

an inner surface facing toward the tubular portion, the inner surface being generally convex;

an outer surface facing away from the tubular portion;

an opening in communication with a passageway defined by the tubular portion;

a first portion surrounding the opening having a first degree of flexibility;

a second portion at least partially surrounding the first portion and having a second degree of flexibility;

wherein the internal bolster is integrally attached to the tubular portion inner end and extends generally transverse to an axis of the tubular portion, wherein the internal bolster is resiliently movable between an installation configuration and a deployed configuration, and wherein the first portion is relatively less flexible than the second portion;

wherein the outer surface includes a relatively planar portion surrounding the opening and an arcuate portion extending radially from the planar portion;

wherein the relatively planar portion is generally oval in shape and is oriented generally transverse to a longitudinal center line of the internal bolster.

9. An internal bolster according to claim 8, wherein the first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness, the first thickness being relatively greater than the second thickness.

10. An internal bolster according to claim 8, wherein the internal bolster includes a tab-like member that includes a pocket.

11. An internal bolster for a gastrostomy device with a tubular portion having an outer end and an inner end, the internal bolster comprising:

an inner surface facing toward the tubular portion, the inner surface being generally convex;

an outer surface facing away from the tubular portion;

an opening in communication with a passageway defined by the tubular portion;

a first portion surrounding the opening having a first degree of flexibility;

a second portion at least partially surrounding the first portion and having a second degree of flexibility;

wherein the internal bolster is integrally attached to the tubular portion inner end and extends generally transverse to an axis of the tubular portion, wherein the internal bolster is resiliently movable between an installation configuration and a deployed configuration, and wherein the first portion is relatively less flexible than the second portion;

wherein the internal bolster is generally elongated in a lengthwise direction and symmetrical about a longitudinal center line, the bolster being asymmetrical about a center line oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal center line;

wherein the first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness, the first thickness being relatively greater than the second thickness;

wherein the outer surface includes a relatively planar portion surrounding the opening and an arcuate portion extending radially from the relatively planar portion, the relatively planar portion corresponding to the first portion and the arcuate portion corresponding to the second portion;

wherein the relatively planar portion is generally oval in shape and is oriented generally transverse to the longitudinal center line.