Gland or duct diagnostic and treatment methods and related apparatus

• US 9,510,844 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MGD Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MGD Innovations, LLC
• Inventors: Maskin, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Hall, Deanna K
• Application Number:
  US12/643,333
• Publication Number:
  US 20100100029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,542 Days
• Field of Search: 604/521, 604/294, 604/298, 604/506, 604/173, 604/289, 604/264
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22 Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32037 for removing obstructions from inner organs or blood vessels, e.g. for atherectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3207 Atherectomy devices working by cutting or abrading; Similar devices specially adapted for non-vascular obstructions A61B17/32037 takes precedence; endoscopic cutting instruments A61B17/320016
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22079 with suction of debris
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22082 after introduction of a substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3987 Applicators for implanting markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0008 Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein putting in contact lenses A61F9/0061; introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body in general A61M31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00718 Restoration of lid function
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0026 Multi-lumen catheters with stationary elements catheter assemblies comprising a catheter in combination with a guide tube, sheath or sleeve A61M2025/0681; catheters comprising telescoping coaxial elements A61M2025/0175
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008

Abstract

A method is provided for treating a gland or duct of a patient. In a particular embodiment, an obstruction in a gland or duct and the orifice thereof can be alleviated; in another, a substance can be injected thereinto; in yet another, the gland can be aspirated. The method includes the step of inserting an elongated probe into a gland or duct via an orifice thereinto. In some embodiments the probe can have a longitudinal lumen therethrough, with at least one distal hole through the probe wall in fluid communication with the lumen. The lumen can be used in concert with a source of suction for removing debris from the gland or duct, and/or with a source of a fluid and pumping means, for injecting a substance into the gland or duct.

Claims

1. A device for treating a gland or duct of a patient comprising:

a probe having an unsharpened elongated distal end with an outer diameter of approximately 150 μ

m or less and a length of approximately 6 mm or less;

wherein the elongated distal end is fixedly secured to a remainder of the probe;

wherein an outer diameter of the probe increases relative to the outer diameter of the elongated distal end where the elongated distal end is fixedly secured to the remainder of the probe; and

wherein the remainder of the probe includes a body and bent cannula, the elongated distal end being fixedly secured to the body of the probe by the bent cannula.

2. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the length of the elongated distal end is between approximately 1 mm and approximately 6 mm.

3. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the length of elongated distal end is approximately 4 mm or less.

4. The device recited in claim 3, wherein the outer diameter of the elongated distal end is approximately 100 μ

m or less.

5. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the elongated distal end is formed from stainless steel.

6. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the bent cannula is bent to an angle of approximately 30 degrees from straight.