Catheter

Abstract

Abstract A catheter is disclosed which is simple to use, avoids the problems with prior catheters, which is fail-safe and fool-proof and one by which the patient cannot injure himself. The catheter comprises a flexible inner tubular member forming a flow duct, snuggly and slidably disposed in an outer tubular member, and having a rounded expansion tip at its inner end comprised of a plurality of prongs biased outwardly and operable to expand and open on inward movement of the inner tubular member in the outer tubular member to a position where the prongs are beyond the inner end of the outer member and to retract on movement of the inner tubular member outwardly in the outer tubular member to a position where at least a portion of the prongs are within the outer tubular member. The outer end of the inner tubular member extends outwardly sufficiently for this movement and has a circumferentially and outwardly extending shoulder adjacent its outer end to engage and secure an end of a resilient drain tube to the inner tubular member. Detents, preferably axially spaced, circumferentially extending mating rings and grooves, are disposed on the inner and outer tubular members which releasably lock them in a position where the prongs are expanded and in a position where the prongs are retracted. Drain holes are provided in the outer and inner tubular members and are arranged to register when the inner tubular member is locked in a position where the prongs are expanded. An outwardly facing circumferential shoulder is provided on the expansion tip and intermediate the prongs which limit outward movement of the inner tubular member in the outer tubular member. Preferably, the prongs are formed by longitudinally extending slits in the expansion tip and a portion of the inner tubular member adjacent thereto. Other features and details are disclosed throughout.

Inventors

• 👤 David F. Mobley
• 👤 Neil H. Baum

Bibliographic Details