US3877838A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for advancing material through a tube
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-08-09
•
Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A device for advancing material through a tube, particularly for advancing waste material through the intestinal tract in the absence or deficiency of peristalsis includes a pair of interconnected longitudinally spaced inflatable member each of which radially expands with increasing internal pressure initially at the proximal end with the expansion extending to the distal end. A bilumenal elongated flexible shaft has lumens which extend from and communicate with respective expansion members and are connected to a fluid pressure source and exhaust through a periodically reversed four way sequencing valve to effect an inflation and deflation cycle in which the trailing expansion member is inflated with the deflation of the leading expansion member followed by the deflation of the trailing member and the inflation of the leading member to complete a single material advancing cycle which is periodically repeated.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel S J Choy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:39
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04B; F04B43/00; F04B43/0009; F04B43/0054; F04B43/08; F04B43/10; F04B43/113; F04B43/1133
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A device for advancing material through a tube comprising a pair of end-to-end longitudinally spaced proximal and distal longitudinally elongated inflatable members, each of said inflatable members having means permitting each of said inflatable members to expand radially at a progressively decreasing rate from the proximal to the distal portions thereof under the influence of an increase in internal pressure therein and to contract radially at a progressively decreasing rate from the distal to the proximal portions thereof with the decrease in said internal pressure, an elongated flexible shaft having a pair of lumens, each of said lumens communicating with a respective inflatable member, and means simultaneously communicating with said inflatable members through respective lumens for alternately connecting one of said members to a source of pressurized fluid and the other of said members to exhaust.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A device for advancing material through a tube comprising a pair of end-to-end longitudinally spaced proximal and distal longitudinally elongated inflatable members, each of said inflatable members having means permitting each of said inflatable members to expand radially at a progressively decreasing rate from the proximal to the distal portions thereof under the influence of an increase in internal pressure therein and to contract radially at a progressively decreasing rate from the distal to the proximal portions thereof with the decrease in said internal pressure, an elongated flexible shaft having a pair of lumens, each of said lumens communicating with a respective inflatable member, and means simultaneously communicating with said inflatable members through respective lumens for alternately connecting one of said members to a source of pressurized fluid and the other of said members to exhaust.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said inflatable members are formed of an elastomeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 2 wherein each of said inflatable members has a peripheral wall which increases in thickness from the proximal to the distal end thereof.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
79 words
A device for advancing material through a tube comprising a pair of end-to-end longitudinally spaced proximal and distal longitudinally elongated inflatable members formed of elastomeric material, each of said inflatable members having longitudinally spaced peripheral elastomeric ribs formed on the wall thereof, the spacing between successive ribs decreasing from the proximal to the distal end of said inflatable member, and an elongated flexible shaft having a pair of lumens, each of said lumens communicating with a respective inflatable member.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
79 words
A device for advancing material through a tube comprising a pair of end-to-end longitudinally spaced proximal and distal longitudinally elongated inflatable members formed of elastomeric material, each of said inflatable members having longitudinally spaced peripheral elastomeric ribs formed on the wall thereof, the spacing between successive ribs decreasing from the proximal to the distal end of said inflatable member, and an elongated flexible shaft having a pair of lumens, each of said lumens communicating with a respective inflatable member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said ribs are formed on the outside face of said wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said shaft extends coaxially through said inflatable members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 1 comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of said inflatable members, said shaft extending coaxially through said inflatable members and each of said lumens communicating with alternate of said inflatable members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 including a source of pressure and means for periodically connecting said source of pressure alternately to said inflatable members.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |