Flexible disc obturator for a cannula assembly

• US 6,645,194 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sidor, William E., Gundry, Steven R., DeWindt, David B., Devries, Ronald A., Stapert, Karyl L., Briscoe, Roderick E., Rom, Paul F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kennedy, Sharon
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C.
• Application Number:
  US10/026,234
• Publication Number:
  US 20020045862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 604/4.01, 604/43, 604/28, 604/500, 604/506-508, 604/93.01, 604/96.01, 604/97-1-, 604/98.01, 604/164.11, 604/99-1-, 604/102-1-1, 604/103, 604/104, 604/158, 604/164.02, 604/167.01, 604/167.02, 604/167.04, 604/167.06, 604/170.02, 604/264, 604/523, 128/207.15
• US Class Current: 604/506
• 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: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0018 having a plug, e.g. an inflatable plug for closing catheter lumens
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0079 Separate user-activated means, e.g. guidewires, guide tubes, balloon catheters or sheaths, for sealing off an orifice, e.g. a lumen or side holes, of a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/125 Heart
• 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 25/0021 characterised by the form of the tubing A61M25/0054 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0023 by the form of the lumen, e.g. cross-section, variable diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0045 multi-layered, e.g. coated coating materials A61L29/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked

Abstract

An obturator for a cannula includes an elongate member and a flexible disc. The cannula has proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween. The distal end of the cannula has a circular cross-section. The cannula also includes a first portion having a non-circular cross-section and at least one fluid aperture formed adjacent the distal end. The flexible disc of the obturator is coupled to a distal end of the elongate member, both of which are adapted to be telescopically received in the lumen of the cannula. The flexible disc is configured to restrict the flow of fluid, entering the at least one fluid aperture, through the lumen.

Claims

1. A method of positioning a fluid conducting cannula in a body, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end having a circular cross-section, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, a first portion having a non-circular cross-section, and at least one fluid aperture formed adjacent the distal end;

inserting an obturator in the lumen of the cannula, the obturator including an elongate member and a flexible disc, the elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible disc coupled to the distal end of the elongate member and substantially restricting the flow of fluid, entering the at least one fluid aperture, through the lumen;

providing a percutaneous aperture in a body;

inserting the distal end of the cannula into the body through the percutaneous aperture; and

positioning the cannula so that the first portion resides within the percutaneous aperture.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of flexing the flexible disc during insertion of the obturator in the first portion of the cannula.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the obturator includes a stop adjacent the proximal end of the elongate member, and wherein the obturator is inserted in the cannula until the stop abuts the proximal end of the cannula.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the obturator includes a grip at the proximal end of the elongate member, and further comprising the step of removing the obturator by the grip after the cannula has been inserted into the percutaneous aperture.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the percutaneous aperture is an anterior thoracotomy.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the percutaneous aperture is a mini-sternotomy.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first portion has an oval cross-section.

9. A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of flexing the flexible disc during insertion of the obturator in the first portion of the cannula.

10. A method according to claim 5, wherein the obturator includes a stop adjacent the proximal end of the elongate member, and wherein the obturator is inserted in the cannula until the stop abuts the proximal end of the cannula.

8. A method of positioning a fluid conducting cannula in a body, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a pre-assembled cannula assembly including;

a cannula including a proximal end, a distal end having a circular cross-section, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, a first portion having a non-circular cross-section, and at least one fluid aperture formed adjacent the distal end; and

an obturator disposed in the lumen of the cannula, the obturator including an elongate member and a flexible disc, the elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible disc coupled to the distal end of the elongate member and substantially restricting the flow of fluid, entering the at least one fluid aperture, through the lumen;

(b) providing a percutaneous aperture in a body;

(c) inserting the distal end of the pre-assembled cannula assembly into the body through the percutaneous aperture; and

(d) positioning the cannula so that the first portion resides within the percutaneous aperture.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the obturator includes a grip at the proximal end of the elongate member, and further comprising the step of removing the obturator by the grip after the cannula has been inserted into the percutaneous aperture.

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the percutaneous aperture is an anterior thoracotomy.

13. A method according to claim 8, wherein the percutaneous aperture is a mini-sternotomy.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of flexing the flexible disc during insertion of the obturator in the first portion of the cannula.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the obturator includes a stop adjacent the proximal end of the elongate member, and wherein the obturator is inserted in the cannula until the stop abuts the proximal end of the cannula.

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein the obturator includes a grip at the proximal end of the elongate member, and further comprising the step of removing the obturator by the grip after the cannula has been inserted into the percutaneous aperture.

17. A method according to claim 13, wherein the percutaneous aperture is an anterior thoracotomy.

18. A method according to claim 13, wherein the percutaneous aperture is a mini-sternotomy.

19. A method according to claim 8, wherein the first portion has an oval cross-section.

20. A method of positioning a fluid conducting cannula in a body, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end having a circular cross-section, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, a first portion having an oval cross-section, and at least one fluid aperture formed adjacent the distal end;

inserting an obturator in the lumen of the cannula, the obturator including an elongate member and a flexible disc, the elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible disc coupled to the distal end of the elongate member, wherein the disc restricts the flow of fluid, entering the at least one fluid aperture, through the lumen, the disc allowing telescopic movement of the obturator through the distal end of the cannula;

providing a percutaneous aperture in a body;

inserting the distal end of the cannula into the body through the percutaneous aperture; and

positioning the cannula so that the first portion resides within the percutaneous aperture.