Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A prosthetic device for maintaining the integrity of a sinus tract formed by a catheter during an initial catheterization for the purposes of medical procedures to enable said tract to be repeatedly used for subsequent catheterization comprising, (a) an outer hollow tubular member of uniform diameter and uniform wall thickness for the entire extent thereof adapted to be guided by said catheter into said initially formed sinus tract in surrounding relation with the catheter in the tract formed during said initial catheterization, with flanging means at the external end of said outer hollow tubular member to rest on the epidermis at the beginning of said sinus tract, (b) an inner solid cylindrical member adapted to be inserted into said outer hollow tubular member for sealing said sinus tract after said catheter has been withdrawn from said sinus tract following said medical procedure requiring catheterization, (c) whereby subsequent removal of said inner solid cylindrical member enables insertion of a new sterile catheter into said outer hollow tubular member along the same initially formed sinus tract to permit another catheterization medical procedure through said tract, and whereby said outer hollow tubular member may easily be replaced while the catheter remains in the tract.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A prosthetic device for maintaining the integrity of a sinus tract formed by a catheter during an initial catheterization for the purposes of medical procedures to enable said tract to be repeatedly used for subsequent catheterization comprising, (a) an outer hollow tubular member of uniform diameter and uniform wall thickness for the entire extent thereof adapted to be guided by said catheter into said initially formed sinus tract in surrounding relation with the catheter in the tract formed during said initial catheterization, with flanging means at the external end of said outer hollow tubular member to rest on the epidermis at the beginning of said sinus tract, (b) an inner solid cylindrical member adapted to be inserted into said outer hollow tubular member for sealing said sinus tract after said catheter has been withdrawn from said sinus tract following said medical procedure requiring catheterization, (c) whereby subsequent removal of said inner solid cylindrical member enables insertion of a new sterile catheter into said outer hollow tubular member along the same initially formed sinus tract to permit another catheterization medical procedure through said tract, and whereby said outer hollow tubular member may easily be replaced while the catheter remains in the tract.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer hollow tubular member and inner solid cylindrical member contain a securing means to prevent inadvertent removal of said inner solid cylindrical member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inner solid cylindrical member fits snugly into said outer hollow tubular member to prevent inadvertent removal of said inner solid cylindrical member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is comprised of a flexible material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is comprised of a plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is comprised of a silicone rubber material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is comprised of a combination of silicone, rubber and plastic materials.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is comprised of a material which can be subjected to sterilization.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the securing means is provided by at least one ridge on the inner solid cylindrical member and one corresponding groove in the outer hollow tubular member such that when the inner solid cylindrical member is fitted into the outer hollow tubular member said inner solid cylindrical member fits snugly in place in said outer hollow tubular member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
220 words
A method of maintaining the integrity of a sinus tract formed in a somatic wall, membrane or tissue structure during an initial catheterization to enable the repeated use of said tract for subsequent catheterization comprising the steps of, (a) inserting a catheter and stylet through said somatic wall, membrane or tissue structure to form a tract therethrough, (b) removing said stylet thereby leaving said catheter in said tract, (c) connecting said catheter to connecting means to enable a medical procedure requiring catheterization to be performed, (d) disconnecting said connecting means upon completion of such medical procedure, (e) guiding an outer hollow tubular member of uniform diameter and uniform wall thickness for the entire extent thereof with flanging means at the external end of said outer hollow tubular member to rest on the epidermis at the beginning of said sinus tract, into said tract in surrounding relation with said catheter, (f) removing said catheter from said tract leaving said outer hollow tubular member in said tract, (g) inserting an inner solid cylindrical member in said outer hollow tubular member for sealing said tract after said catheter has been removed, whereby subsequent removal of said inner solid cylindrical member enables insertion of a new catheter into said outer hollow tubular member through said tract to permit another medical procedure requiring catheterization therethrough.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
220 words
A method of maintaining the integrity of a sinus tract formed in a somatic wall, membrane or tissue structure during an initial catheterization to enable the repeated use of said tract for subsequent catheterization comprising the steps of, (a) inserting a catheter and stylet through said somatic wall, membrane or tissue structure to form a tract therethrough, (b) removing said stylet thereby leaving said catheter in said tract, (c) connecting said catheter to connecting means to enable a medical procedure requiring catheterization to be performed, (d) disconnecting said connecting means upon completion of such medical procedure, (e) guiding an outer hollow tubular member of uniform diameter and uniform wall thickness for the entire extent thereof with flanging means at the external end of said outer hollow tubular member to rest on the epidermis at the beginning of said sinus tract, into said tract in surrounding relation with said catheter, (f) removing said catheter from said tract leaving said outer hollow tubular member in said tract, (g) inserting an inner solid cylindrical member in said outer hollow tubular member for sealing said tract after said catheter has been removed, whereby subsequent removal of said inner solid cylindrical member enables insertion of a new catheter into said outer hollow tubular member through said tract to permit another medical procedure requiring catheterization therethrough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein the outer hollow tubular member is withdrawn from the sinus tract and a new outer hollow tubular member is guided therein in surrounding relation with said catheter.