Single-Use Indicator For A Surgical Instrument And A Surgical Instrument Incorporating Same

• US 20090209907A1
• Filed: 02/15/2008
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lary Research & Development LLC
• Original Assignee: Lary Research & Development LLC
• Inventors: Grata, Paul John, Espinosa, Daniel, Espinosa, Alejandro
• Granted Patent: US 8,157,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/96.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1052 for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0029 characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the middle part of the catheter, e.g. slots, flaps, valves, cuffs, apertures, notches, grooves or rapid exchange ports catheter shaft surface irregularities A61M2025/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0032 characterized by at least one unconventionally shaped lumen, e.g. polygons, ellipsoids, wedges or shapes comprising concave and convex parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0693 Flashback chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00

Abstract

A single-use indicator is provided and is particularly well suited for use with a surgical catheter device. The indicator includes an absorbent filament or wick which is placed in a transparent or translucent indicator lumen of a multi-lumen catheter. The lumen is provided with at least one side port. When the catheter is inserted into a blood vessel, blood enters the indicator lumen through the side port and is absorbed by the filament, thus turning the filament red or purple in color. When the instrument is removed from the blood vessel, the stained filament is clearly visible as an indicator that the instrument has been used. Because the filament is trapped inside a lumen of a relatively long catheter, it is difficult or impossible to remove it during a remanufacturing process.

Claims

1. A single-use indicator for a surgical instrument comprising:

a transparent or translucent body defining an indicator lumen, said body being integral with the surgical instrument;

an absorbent material disposed in said indicator lumen; and

a port in fluid communication with said indicator lumen, such that when said body is immersed in blood, blood flows into said port to said indicator lumen and is absorbed by said absorbent material.

2. A single-use indicator for a surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein:

said absorbent material is a filament.

3. A single-use indicator for a surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein:

said filament is silk.

4. A single-use indicator for a surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein:

said absorbent material extends substantially the entire length of said lumen.

5. A single-use indicator for a surgical instrument according to claim 4, wherein:

said lumen extends substantially the entire length of said body.

6. A single-use indicator for a surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein:

said body defines a second lumen having a plurality of infusion ports and said body is a component of a surgical instrument.

7. A single-use indicator for a surgical instrument according to claim 6, further comprising:

an occlusion balloon coupled to said body, wherein

said body defines a third lumen, said third lumen being in fluid communication with said occlusion balloon.

8. A single-use indicator for a surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein:

said body defines a fourth lumen adapted to receive a guide wire.

9. An apparatus for treating blood vessels, comprising:

an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an infusion lumen extending there-through and an indicator lumen extending through at least a part of said body;

a plurality of spaced apart infusion holes along a length of the infusion lumen;

an elongate valve member which is movable inside said infusion lumen from a first position in which access to some but not all of the infusion holes are blocked by said elongate valve member to a second position where access to fewer of the infusion holes are blocked by said elongate valve member;

an infusion port coupled to said elongate valve member, such that infusion fluid injected into said infusion port flows through said elongate valve member, into a portion of said infusion lumen; and

an absorbent material disposed in said indicator lumen, wherein

said indicator lumen is transparent or translucent at least where said absorbent material is located such that said absorbent material can be seen inside said indicator lumen and said indicator lumen has a port in fluid communication with said absorbent material.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:

said absorbent material is a filament.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

said filament is silk.

12. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:

said absorbent material extends substantially the entire length of said indicator lumen.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein:

said lumen extends substantially the entire length of said body.

14. A single-use surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongate body defining a plurality of longitudinally adjacent lumens, at least one of which is an indicator lumen having a transparent or translucent wall and a port in said wall providing fluid access to said indicator lumen; and

a blood absorbent material disposed in said indicator lumen.

15. A single-use surgical instrument according to claim 14, wherein:

said absorbent material is a filament.

16. A single-use surgical instrument according to claim 15, wherein:

said filament is silk

17. A single-use surgical instrument according to claim 14, wherein:

said absorbent material extends substantially the entire length of said indicator lumen.

18. A single-use surgical instrument according to claim 17, wherein:

said lumen extends substantially the entire length of said body.