Expandable Inter Vivos Tube and Method of Manufacturing Same

• US 20150011828A1
• Filed: 07/30/2014
• Published: 01/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph A. Vilasi, Joseph D'Ambrosio
• Original Assignee: Joseph A. Vilasi, Joseph D'Ambrosio
• Inventors: Vilasi, Joseph A., D'Ambrosio, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,107,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0418 with integrated means for changing the degree of curvature, e.g. for easy intubation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0434 Cuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0438 Liquid-filled
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/044 External cuff pressure control or supply, e.g. synchronisation with respiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0445 Special cuff forms, e.g. undulated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0454 Redundant cuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0465 Tracheostomy tubes; Devices for performing a tracheostomy; Accessories therefor, e.g. masks, filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0477 with incorporated means for delivering or removing fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0497 Tube stabilizer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0024 Expandable catheters or sheaths
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0034 characterized by elements which are assembled, connected or fused, e.g. splittable tubes, outer sheaths creating lumina or separate cores making of catheters A61M25/0009
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0035 characterized by a variable lumen cross-section by means of a resilient flexible septum or outer wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0039 characterized by lumina being arranged coaxially
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1028 Larynx
• 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 25/1025 : Connections between catheter tubes and inflation tubes

Abstract

A flexible expandable inter vivos tube includes at least one arched segmented portion, a corresponding movable element and at least one positioning mechanism. The at least one arched segmented portion and corresponding movable element forming a flexible closed longitudinally expandable tube. The at least one arched segment includes an H-shaped connector having at least one cavity that allows variable slidable movement of a free end portion of the corresponding movable element. A balloon is contained in each of the at least one cavity so that the hydraulic or air pressure within balloon expands the movable element and, thus, the circumference of the flexible inter vivos tube is increased.

Claims

1. An expandable inter vivos tube comprising:

a flexible member extending longitudinally substantially along an edge of said inter vivos tube, said flexible membrane comprising;

an outer circumference member;

an inner circumference member; and

a rib element connecting said outer circumference member and said inner circumference member at substantially a midpoint of said outer circumference member and said inner circumference member, said outer circumference member, said inner circumference member and said rib member forming a first cavity and a second cavity, respectively,

a balloon, extending longitudinally in each of said first cavity and said second cavity, said balloon including a tube extending through a corresponding injection port in said flexible member; and

a flexible longitudinal tube member having a first free end and a second free end, said first free end and second free end slidably engaging said balloon member in a corresponding one of said first cavity and said second cavity.

2. The inter vivos tube of claim 1, further comprising:

sealing means associated with each of a distal end of said flexible member and a proximal end of said flexible member.

3. The inter vivos tube of claim 1, wherein said first free end and said second free end are tapered.

4. The inter vivos tube of claim 1, wherein said balloon comprising a material having an expansion capability greater at a distal end of said balloon than at a proximal end of said balloon.

5. The inter vivos tube of claim 1, wherein said rib has a greater width at a distal end of said flexible member than at a proximal end of said flexible member.

6. The inter vivos tube of claim 1, wherein said injection ports are at substantially one of:

a distal end and a proximal end of said flexible member.

7. The inter vivos tube of claim 6, wherein said insertion ports are in one of:

said outer circumference member and said inner circumference member.

8. The inter vivos tube of claim 1, further comprising;

a plurality of serrations on each of said first free end and said second free end; and

a retaining pin positioned on at least a portion of an edge of one of;

the lower circumference member and the outer circumference member, said retaining pin positioned opposite said plurality of serrations.

9. The inter vivos tube of claim 1, further comprising an optical channel in said flexible member.

10. The inter vivos tube of claim 1, wherein said inner circumference member is thinner than said outer circumference member.

11. An inter vivos tube comprising:

an H-shaped member extending longitudinally along said inter vivos tube, said H-shaped spine member comprising;

a upper arched segment,

a lower arched segment, and

a rib joining said upper arched segment and said lower arched segment forming a first cavity and a second cavity between said lower arched segment and said upper arched segment;

a first inflatable balloon in said first cavity, said first inflatable balloon having integrated therein a first hollow tube connector, where a second end of said first hollow tube connector extends through one of;

said upper arched segment and said lower arched segment,

a second inflatable balloon in said second cavity, said second inflatable balloon having integrated thereon said a second hollow tube connector, wherein a second end of said second hollow tube connector extends through one of;

said upper arched segment and said lower arched segment ; and

a tube member having a first free end and a second free end, said first free end slidably engaging said first cavity and said second free end slidably engaging said second cavity.

12. The inter vivos tube of claim 11, wherein said first inflatable balloon is attached to said first free end and said second inflatable balloon is attached to said second free end.

13. The inter vivos tube of claim 11, further comprising:

sealing means at each of a distal end and a proximal end of said first cavity and said second cavity.

14. The inter vivos tube of claim 11, said H-shaped member comprising:

a first ingress port and a second ingress port positioned on opposite sides of said rib, said second end of said first hollow connector passing through said first ingress port and said second end of said second hollow connector passing through said second ingress port.

15. The inter vivos tube of claim 11, wherein said first ingress port and said second ingress port are positioned at substantially a proximal end of said upper arched segment.

16. The inter vivos tube of claim 11, wherein said rib is wider at a distal end of said H-shaped member then at a proximal end of said H-shaped member.

17. The inter vivos tube of claim 11, wherein said lower arched segment is thinner than said upper arched segment.

18. The inter vivos tube of claim 11, further comprising:

Y-connector attached to said second end of each of said first hollow tube connector and said second hollow tube connector.

19. The inter vivos tube of claim 11, wherein said first flexible balloon and said second flexible balloon are each composed of a material having a greater flexibility at one of:

a distal end and a proximal end than at the other of the distal end and the proximal end.

20. The inter vivos tube of claim 11, further comprising:

an connector attached to said proximal end of said inter vivos tube.