Methods and devices to clear obstructions from medical tubes
First Claim
1. A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube, the device comprising a guide tube having an inner diameter, an elongate guide member at least partially disposed in and translatable through said guide tube, and a clearance member in the form of a loop attached to or formed integrally with said guide member said loop having an opening that permits the flow of material through said loop.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube, such as a chest tube, is disclosed in various embodiments. The device features a clearance member in the form of a loop. The loop desirably has a diameter that substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the medical tube. Also desirably, the loop presents a substantially unobstructed pathway therethrough for the flow of material from a location in the medical tube distal to the loop to a location in the medical tube proximal to the loop regardless whether the clearance member is being translated or is at rest in the medical tube. Methods of utilizing such a device are also disclosed.
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Citations
22 Claims
- 1. A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube, the device comprising a guide tube having an inner diameter, an elongate guide member at least partially disposed in and translatable through said guide tube, and a clearance member in the form of a loop attached to or formed integrally with said guide member said loop having an opening that permits the flow of material through said loop.
- 18. A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube, the device comprising a medical tube having an inner diameter, an elongate guide member at least partially disposed in said medical tube, and a clearance member in the form of a loop attached to or formed integrally with said guide member and having a diameter that substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of said medical tube, said loop presenting a substantially unobstructed pathway therethrough for the flow of material from a location in said medical tube distal to said loop to a location in said medical tube proximal to said loop regardless whether said clearance member is being translated or is at rest within said medical tube.
- 21. A method of clearing obstructions from a medical tube, comprising at least partially inserting in said medical tube, through a proximal end thereof, an elongate guide member having a clearance member in the form of a loop attached to or formed integrally with said guide member such that said clearance member is disposed within said medical tube, said loop having a diameter that substantially corresponds to an inner diameter of said medical tube, translating said guide member to correspondingly translate said clearance member within said medical tube to thereby dislodge debris within said medical tube, wherein said loop presents a substantially unobstructed pathway therethrough for the flow of material from a location in said medical tube distal to said loop to a location in said medical tube proximal to said loop regardless whether said clearance member is being translated or is at rest within said medical tube.
Specification