Video-guided chest tube insertion system
First Claim
1. A chest tube placement apparatus, comprising:
- an elongate body comprising a distal end and a proximal end, with a rigid tip at the distal end and configured for insertion into a flexible chest tube having a hollow interior; and
an inflatable member coupled to an exterior surface of the elongate body and extending along at least an axial section of the elongate body from a distal location at the rigid tip to a proximal location toward the proximal end of the elongate body;
wherein when said elongate body and said inflatable member are inserted into the chest tube, the inflatable member is disposed in an annular gap extending at least along said axial section between the exterior surface of the elongate body and an interior wall of the chest tube such that expansion of the inflatable member engages an axial length of the interior wall of the chest tube, the axial length of the interior wall extending from a distal end of the flexible chest tube and corresponding to the length of the axial section;
the inflatable member having a first expanded position that engages the interior wall of the chest tube to couple the elongate body to the chest tube and to stiffen the chest tube along said axial length and a second unexpanded position that decouples the elongate body from the chest tube and restores flexibility to the chest tube;
wherein the elongate body and the inflatable member are configured for insertion into the chest tube in the unexpanded position;
wherein when the inflatable member is in the expanded position after insertion into the chest tube, the combination of the elongate body, the inflatable member and the chest tube operate in concert for insertion of the chest tube through a chest wall of a patient; and
wherein when the inflatable member is in the unexpanded position after the chest tube is inserted through the chest wall of the patient, the elongate body and the inflatable member are configured for removal from the chest tube while the chest tube remains in place.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A chest tube placement apparatus is provided that has an elongate body with a rigid tip that is disposed within the interior of a flexible chest tube and an inflatable member mounted to the body is inflated and the apparatus is then inserted in a prepared location in the chest wall of a patient. The body of the apparatus has at least one axial material transfer channel with a tip port that permits the injection of anesthetic or the aspiration of gases or liquids at the tip. The body also has a light and video camera and display to allow the visualization of the internal structures of the patient during chest tube placement. Once placed and the fluids and gases aspirated, the inflatable member is deflated and the apparatus is removed from the interior of the placed chest tube.
14 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A chest tube placement apparatus, comprising:
-
an elongate body comprising a distal end and a proximal end, with a rigid tip at the distal end and configured for insertion into a flexible chest tube having a hollow interior; and an inflatable member coupled to an exterior surface of the elongate body and extending along at least an axial section of the elongate body from a distal location at the rigid tip to a proximal location toward the proximal end of the elongate body; wherein when said elongate body and said inflatable member are inserted into the chest tube, the inflatable member is disposed in an annular gap extending at least along said axial section between the exterior surface of the elongate body and an interior wall of the chest tube such that expansion of the inflatable member engages an axial length of the interior wall of the chest tube, the axial length of the interior wall extending from a distal end of the flexible chest tube and corresponding to the length of the axial section; the inflatable member having a first expanded position that engages the interior wall of the chest tube to couple the elongate body to the chest tube and to stiffen the chest tube along said axial length and a second unexpanded position that decouples the elongate body from the chest tube and restores flexibility to the chest tube; wherein the elongate body and the inflatable member are configured for insertion into the chest tube in the unexpanded position; wherein when the inflatable member is in the expanded position after insertion into the chest tube, the combination of the elongate body, the inflatable member and the chest tube operate in concert for insertion of the chest tube through a chest wall of a patient; and wherein when the inflatable member is in the unexpanded position after the chest tube is inserted through the chest wall of the patient, the elongate body and the inflatable member are configured for removal from the chest tube while the chest tube remains in place. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A chest tube placement apparatus, comprising:
-
an elongate body comprising a distal end and a proximal end, with a rigid tip at the distal end and configured for insertion into a flexible chest tube having a hollow interior; a circumferential inflatable member coupled to an exterior surface of the elongate body and extending along at least an axial section of the elongate body from a distal location at the rigid tip to a proximal location toward the proximal end of the elongate body; wherein when the elongate body and the circumferential inflatable member are inserted into the chest tube, the circumferential inflatable member is disposed in an annular gap extending at least along said axial section between the exterior surface of the elongate body and an interior wall of the chest tube such that expansion of the circumferential inflatable member engages an axial length of the interior wall of the chest tube, the axial length of the interior wall extending from a distal end of the chest tube and corresponding to the length of the axial section; the circumferential inflatable member having a first expanded position that engages the interior wall of the chest tube to couple the elongate body to the chest tube and to stiffen the chest tube along said axial length and a second unexpanded position that decouples the elongate body from the test tube and restores flexibility to the chest tube; wherein the elongate body and the circumferential inflatable member are configured for insertion into the chest tube in the unexpanded position; wherein when the circumferential inflatable member is in the expanded position after insertion into the chest tube, the combination of the elongate body, the inflatable member and the chest tube operate in concert for insertion of the chest tube through a chest wall of a patient; and wherein when the circumferential inflatable member is in the unexpanded position after the chest tube is inserted through the chest wall of the patient, the elongate body and the circumferential inflatable member are configured for removal from the chest tube while the chest tube remains in place. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A chest tube placement apparatus, comprising:
-
a flexible chest tube having a hollow interior defined by an interior wall; an elongate body comprising a distal end and a proximal end and sized for insertion within the flexible chest tube, the elongate body having a rigid tip with a sharpened profile at the distal end to promote piercing through a chest wall tissue of the patient; a circumferential inflatable member mounted to an exterior surface of the elongate body and extending along at least an axial section of the elongate member from a distal location at the rigid tip to a proximal location toward the proximal end of the elongate body and coupled to a tubular inflation lead and source of compressed air; and wherein when said elongate body and said circumferential inflatable member are inserted into the chest tube, the circumferential inflatable member is disposed in an annular gap extending at least along said axial section between the exterior surface of the elongate body and an interior wall of the chest tube such that expansion of the circumferential inflatable member engages an axial length of the interior wall of the chest tube, the axial length of the interior wall corresponding to the length of the axial section; wherein the circumferential inflatable member has a first expanded position that that engages the interior wall of the chest tube to couple the elongate body to the chest tube and to stiffen the chest tube along said axial length and a second unexpanded position that decouples the elongate body from the chest tube and restores flexibility to the chest tube; wherein the elongate body and the circumferential inflatable member are configured for insertion into the chest tube in the unexpanded position; wherein when the inflatable member is in the expanded position after insertion into the chest tube, the rigid distal tip of the elongate body extends outside of and distal to a distal end of the chest tube and the combination of the elongate body, the circumferential inflatable member and the chest tube operate in concert to form a rigid structure at the distal end of the chest tube for insertion of the chest tube through a chest wall of a patient; and wherein when the circumferential inflatable member is in the unexpanded position after the chest tube is inserted through the chest wall of the patient, the elongate body and circumferential inflatable member are configured for removal from the chest tube while the chest tube remains in place. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
Specification