Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
An improved catheter adapted for insertion into a bladdEr through the urethra, comprising an elongated flexible resilient tube of uniform cross-section and including an open inlet end portion and an open outlet end portion, a plurality of circumferentially spaced and generally axial extending cuts within said inlet end portion of said tube to form a plurality of axially extending links therebetween, said links being movable between normal collapsed positions and outwardly projecting expanded positions, an elongated flexible actuating element extending within said tube, a plug member closing said open inlet end portion of said tube and connected to one end of said actuating element, a substantially rigid valve body defining a valve chamber, means attaching said valve body to said open outlet end portion of said tube, means defining an outlet for said chamber, a valve member supported for movement within said valve chamber for opening and closing said outlet, means connecting the opposite end of said actuating element to said valve member, said links being movable from said collapsed positions to said expanded positions in response to axial movement of said actuating element from a released position to a latched position for retaining said inlet end portion of said tube within the bladder, and means providing for axial movement of said actuating element from said released position to said locked position without moving said links to said expanded positions in response to application of a tension force on said actuating element when said links are restrained from being moved to said expanded positions by surrounding body tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
An improved catheter adapted for insertion into a bladdEr through the urethra, comprising an elongated flexible resilient tube of uniform cross-section and including an open inlet end portion and an open outlet end portion, a plurality of circumferentially spaced and generally axial extending cuts within said inlet end portion of said tube to form a plurality of axially extending links therebetween, said links being movable between normal collapsed positions and outwardly projecting expanded positions, an elongated flexible actuating element extending within said tube, a plug member closing said open inlet end portion of said tube and connected to one end of said actuating element, a substantially rigid valve body defining a valve chamber, means attaching said valve body to said open outlet end portion of said tube, means defining an outlet for said chamber, a valve member supported for movement within said valve chamber for opening and closing said outlet, means connecting the opposite end of said actuating element to said valve member, said links being movable from said collapsed positions to said expanded positions in response to axial movement of said actuating element from a released position to a latched position for retaining said inlet end portion of said tube within the bladder, and means providing for axial movement of said actuating element from said released position to said locked position without moving said links to said expanded positions in response to application of a tension force on said actuating element when said links are restrained from being moved to said expanded positions by surrounding body tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A catheter as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible tube compresses axially in response to said application of said tension force on said actuating element when said links are restrained from moving to said expanding position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A catheter as defined in claim 1 wherein said plug member includes a reduced portion cooperating to form a circumferential shoulder receiving the end of said inlet end portion of said tube, and the radial width of said shoulder being substantially equal to the wall thickness of said tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A catheter as defined in claim 1 wherein said tube comprises a flexible polyurethane material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A catheter as defined in claim 1 wherein and said plug member has a tip surface with a resiliency greater than the resiliency of said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
205 words
An improved catheter adapted for insertion into a bladder through the urethra, comprising an elongated flexible resilient tube of uniform cross-section and including an open inlet end portion and an open outlet end portion, a plurality of circumferentially spaced and generally axial extending cuts within said inlet end portion of said tube to form a plurality of axially extending links therebetween, said links being movable between normal collapsed positions and outwardly projecting expanded positions, an elongated flexible actuating element extending within said tube, a plug member closing said open inlet end portion of said tube and connected to one end of said actuating element, a substantially rigid valve body defining a valve chamber, means attaching said valve body to said open outlet end portion of said tube, means defining an outlet for said chamber, a valve member supported for movement within said valve chamber for opening and closing said outlet, means connecting the opposite end of said actuating element to said valve member, and said links being movable from said collapsed positions to said expanded positions in response to axial movement of said actuating element from a released position to a latched position for retaining said inlet end portion of said tube within the bladder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
205 words
An improved catheter adapted for insertion into a bladder through the urethra, comprising an elongated flexible resilient tube of uniform cross-section and including an open inlet end portion and an open outlet end portion, a plurality of circumferentially spaced and generally axial extending cuts within said inlet end portion of said tube to form a plurality of axially extending links therebetween, said links being movable between normal collapsed positions and outwardly projecting expanded positions, an elongated flexible actuating element extending within said tube, a plug member closing said open inlet end portion of said tube and connected to one end of said actuating element, a substantially rigid valve body defining a valve chamber, means attaching said valve body to said open outlet end portion of said tube, means defining an outlet for said chamber, a valve member supported for movement within said valve chamber for opening and closing said outlet, means connecting the opposite end of said actuating element to said valve member, and said links being movable from said collapsed positions to said expanded positions in response to axial movement of said actuating element from a released position to a latched position for retaining said inlet end portion of said tube within the bladder.