Apparatus for stripping fibrin from a catheter

• US 7,037,313 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2002
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hatch Medical, LLC
• Original Assignee: Fibrex Company - L L C
• Inventors: Hvozda, Steven M., Gianneschi, Paul R., Ahn, Jiyong
• Primary Examiner(s): BUI, VY Q
• Application Number:
  US10/100,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20030181876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,505 Days
• Field of Search: 606113-114, 606/110, 606/107, 606/106, 606/108, 606/222, 606/224, 606/139, 606/144, 606/119, 606/128, 604/52, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/113
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00008 Vein tendon strippers tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2217 single wire changing shape to a gripping configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0019 Cleaning catheters or the like, e.g. for reuse of the device, for avoiding replacement
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus for the removal of build-up about an implanted catheter having an interior surface, an exterior surface and an open free end positioned within an individual'"'"'s vascular system. The apparatus includes a delivery assembly storing a stripping coil. The delivery assembly includes a guide structure for guiding the stripping coil through the catheter to the free end of the catheter. The stripping coil is formed of a shape memory or super-elastic material, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a shape wrapping about the outer surface of the catheter in a manner providing for the stripping of build-up from the outer surface of the catheter when the stripping coil is moved relative to the catheter.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the removal of build-up about an implanted catheter having an interior surface, an exterior surface and an open free end positioned within an individual'"'"'s vascular system, the apparatus comprising:

a delivery assembly storing a stripping coil, the delivery assembly including a guide structure guiding the stripping coil through the catheter to the free end of the catheter, the guide structure including a guide curve having a curved profile directing the stripping coil about the curved profile during deployment of the stripping coil;

the stripping coil being formed of a shape memory material or super elastic material, and the stripping coil including a proximal first end maintained within the delivery assembly and a free distal second end, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a predetermined shape with the free distal second end wrapping about the outer surface of the catheter in a manner to provide for the stripping of build-up from the outer surface of the catheter when the stripping coil is moved relative to the catheter.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stripping coil is formed of Nitinol.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a helical shape.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the delivery assembly includes means for rotating the stripping coil relative to the catheter so as to facilitate removal of build-up from the exterior surface of the catheter.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a helical shape.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the delivery assembly includes means for rotating the stripping coil relative to the catheter so as to facilitate removal of build-up from the exterior surface of the catheter.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the delivery assembly includes a push handle for inserting the stripping coil to the open free end of the catheter.

8. An apparatus for the removal of build-up about an implanted catheter having an interior surface, an exterior surface and an open free end positioned within an individual'"'"'s vascular system, the apparatus comprising:

a delivery assembly storing a stripping coil, the delivery assembly including a guide structure guiding the stripping coil through the catheter to the free end of the catheter, the guide structure including a guide curve having a curved profile directing the stripping coil about the curved profile during deployment of the stripping coil; and

the stripping coil being formed of a super-elastic material, and the stripping coil including a proximal first end maintained within the delivery assembly and a free distal second end, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a shape with the free distal end wrapping about the outer surface of the catheter in a manner to provide for the stripping of build-up from the outer surface of the catheter when the stripping coil is moved relative to the catheter.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the stripping coil is formed of Nitinol.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a helical shape.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the delivery assembly includes means for rotating the stripping coil relative to the catheter so as to facilitate removal of build-up from the exterior surface of the catheter.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the stripping coil is preformed to assume a helical shape.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the delivery assembly includes means for rotating the stripping coil relative to the catheter so as to facilitate removal of build-up from the exterior surface of the catheter.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the delivery assembly includes a push handle for inserting the stripping coil to the open free end of the catheter.

15. An apparatus adapted to remove build-up about an implanted catheter, comprising:

a delivery device having a stripping coil with multiple turns;

the delivery device having a stripping coil guide curve having a curved profile directing the stripping coil about the curved profile during deployment of the stripping coil;

the stripping coil being preformed of a shape memory material, and the stripping coil includes a proximal first end maintained within the delivery assembly and a free distal second end, wherein when the stripping coil is deployed from the delivery device through the stripping coil guide curve, the multiple turns of the stripping coil hug the exterior of the catheter.

16. An apparatus adapted to remove build-up about an implanted catheter, comprising:

a delivery device having a stripping coil with a free end;

the delivery device having a stripping coil guide curve having a curved profile directing the stripping coil about the curved profile during deployment of the stripping coil;

the stripping coil being preformed of a shape memory material, wherein when the stripping coil is deployed from the delivery device through the stripping coil guide curve, the stripping coil and the free end hug the exterior of the catheter.

17. An apparatus adapted to remove build-up about an implanted catheter, comprising:

a delivery assembly having a stripping coil with multiple turns and a free end, the delivery assembly including a guide structure adapted to guide the stripping coil rearwardily over an end of the catheter, the guide structure includes a guide curve having a curved profile guiding the free end of the stripping coil rearwardly as it is deployed;

the stripping coil being preformed of a super elastic material or a shape memory material, wherein when the stripping coil is deployed, multiple turns of the stripping coil hug the exterior of the catheter.