US5061255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Exterior antimigration refinements for self-cleaning indwelling therapeutic articles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-02-27
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Granted: 1991-10-29
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Expires: 2010-02-27
Abstract
Abstract External grooving on a catheter traps microorganisms nurtured by mucus in a patient's body. The grooving also traps contaminating debris, originating outside the body, that migrates into the body along the catheter exterior. Energy, which may be a propagating vibration or electrical energy or a radioactive material, is carried to the groove (or grooves), from a source outside the body. This function is performed by a fiber embedded or held in the catheter, or by a liquid column (e.g., in an annular lumen) in the catheter, or in other ways. The energy disables microorganisms and disintegrates debris trapped at the groove. The groove depth, interface geometry, and in the case of vibrational energy the vibration frequency too, are selected to minimize projection of energy into the patient's tissues. Suction may be applied as through an auxiliary lumen (or, in some drain catheters, intermittently through the primary drain lumen itself), to remove resulting detritus at the grooving. Circumferential grooves may be used to impede migration longitudinally, longitudinal grooves to deter formation of continuous circumferential sheets of contaminants, or spiral grooves to lengthen the migration path along the catheter--or combinations of these forms.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert R. Greenfeld
- 👤 Jonathan L. Greenfeld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0023; A61M25/0026; A61M25/0029; A61M25/0043; A61M25/0045; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0068; A61M25/007; A61M2025/0019; A61M2025/0037
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A self-cleaning indwelling therapeutic-article system, for protracted use in an extended condition within a patient's body, the article passing between tissues of a duct or incision in the patient's body; said system comprising: a therapeutic article that during indwelling use: passes through such duct or incision, includes a portion that is closely encircled by such duct or incision tissues, and defines an external surface that is subject to the presence and propagation of undesirable microorganisms, along the portion that is closely encircled by tissues of such duct or incision; means, extended along the external surface of the article, for trapping and interfering with migration of contaminants, said trapping-and-interfering means being defined along at least the portion that is closely encircled by tissues of such duct or incision during such use; a source of effective disabling energy; and means for conveying the energy from the source to the trapping-and-interfering means to effectively disable such undesirable microorganisms at the trapping-and-interfering means and deter such propagation along the portion that is closely encircled by tissues of such duct or incision during use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A self-cleaning indwelling therapeutic-article system, for protracted use in an extended condition within a patient's body, the article passing between tissues of a duct or incision in the patient's body; said system comprising: a therapeutic article that during indwelling use: passes through such duct or incision, includes a portion that is closely encircled by such duct or incision tissues, and defines an external surface that is subject to the presence and propagation of undesirable microorganisms, along the portion that is closely encircled by tissues of such duct or incision; means, extended along the external surface of the article, for trapping and interfering with migration of contaminants, said trapping-and-interfering means being defined along at least the portion that is closely encircled by tissues of such duct or incision during such use; a source of effective disabling energy; and means for conveying the energy from the source to the trapping-and-interfering means to effectively disable such undesirable microorganisms at the trapping-and-interfering means and deter such propagation along the portion that is closely encircled by tissues of such duct or incision during use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 1, wherein: the trapping-and-interfering means comprise a generally circumferential depression passing substantially around the article periphery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 1, wherein: the trapping means comprise a generally longitudinal depression passing substantially along at least a part of the article length that is inside such patient's body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 1, wherein the trapping means comprise: a generally circumferential depression that passes substantially around the article periphery; and a generally longitudinal depression that passes substantially along at least a part of the article length that is inside such patient's body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 4, wherein: the generally longitudinal depression intersects the circumferential depression.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 1, wherein: the article has a long dimension; and the trapping means comprise a generally spiral depression passing substantially around and along the article at an angle to the article long dimension.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 1, wherein: the therapeutic article is a catheter that defines an internal lumen; and the trapping-and-interfering means are substantially isolated from communication with the lumen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 1, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of propagating mechanical vibration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 1, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of propagating electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 1, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of electrical voltage or current.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 1, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of radioactivity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 1, for use where the exterior surface of the article is also subject to accumulation and migration of contaminating debris; and wherein: the conveying means convey the energy from the source to the trapping means to fragment such debris at the trapping means; such debris or fragmented debris, or both, tend to collect at the trapping means, deterring such migration; and the system further comprises suction means for drawing off such debris or fragmented debris, or both, from the trapping means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 12, wherein the suction means comprise: a suction device and trap outside such patient's body; and a lumen defined within the article, communicating with the trapping means through apertures in the article, and communicating with the suction device and trap.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 12, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of propagating mechanical vibration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 12, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of propagating electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 12, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of electrical voltage or current.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 12, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of radioactivity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 1, wherein: the therapeutic article is a catheter that defines an internal lumen for protracted transfer of substance between two locations, at least one of which locations is inside such patient's body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 18, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of propagating electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 18, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of electrical voltage or current.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 18, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of radioactivity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 1, wherein: the therapeutic article is a catheter that defines an internal lumen for protracted transfer of substance between such patient's body and a point outside such patient's body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 22, particularly for use in draining substance in the form of wastes, or accretions due to disease or trauma, out from the patient's body; and wherein: the trapping means communicate with the lumen; and the system also comprises a suction device and trap outside such patient's body, and means for providing communication between the lumen and the suction device and trap.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 23, wherein: the system also comprises an irrigating device, connected to flush such wastes or accretions into the trapping means or directly into the lumen, or into both, for cooperation with the suction device to remove such wastes or accretions from the patient's body.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 1, wherein: the source of energy provides energy in a vibrational form characterized by one or more vibrational frequencies.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 25, wherein: the depth and configuration of the groove, in relation to the configuration of the conveying means and in relation to employed frequencies of the vibration, are particularly adapted to deter significant projection of the vibration out from the groove into tissues of the patient's body.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 25, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of propagating mechanical vibration.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 25, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of propagating electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
160 words
A self-cleaning indwelling therapeutic-article system, for protracting use in an extended condition within a patient's body, comprising: a therapeutic article in the form of a catheter that defines: an external surface subject to the presence and propagation of undesirable microorganisms during such use, and an internal lumen for protracted transfer of substance between such patient's body and a point outside such patient's body; means, disposed at the external surface of the article, for trapping such microorganisms; a source of disabling energy; and means for conveying the energy from the source to the microorganism-trapping means to disable such undesirable microorgranisms at the microorganism-trapping means and deter such propagation; and wherein: the microorganism-trapping means are substantially isolated from communication with the substance-transfer lumen; and the system also comprises a suction device and trap outside such patient's body; and an additional lumen defined within the article, communicating with the groove through apertures in the article, and communicating with the suction device and trap.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
160 words
A self-cleaning indwelling therapeutic-article system, for protracting use in an extended condition within a patient's body, comprising: a therapeutic article in the form of a catheter that defines: an external surface subject to the presence and propagation of undesirable microorganisms during such use, and an internal lumen for protracted transfer of substance between such patient's body and a point outside such patient's body; means, disposed at the external surface of the article, for trapping such microorganisms; a source of disabling energy; and means for conveying the energy from the source to the microorganism-trapping means to disable such undesirable microorgranisms at the microorganism-trapping means and deter such propagation; and wherein: the microorganism-trapping means are substantially isolated from communication with the substance-transfer lumen; and the system also comprises a suction device and trap outside such patient's body; and an additional lumen defined within the article, communicating with the groove through apertures in the article, and communicating with the suction device and trap.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The therapeutic-article system of claim 29, wherein: the contaminant-trapping means comprise a shallow groove defined in the external surface of the article.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
95 words
A self-cleaning indwelling therapeutic-article system, for protracted use in an extended condition within a patient's body, comprising: a therapeutic article that defines an external surface subject to the presence and propagation of undesirable microorganisms during such use; means, disposed at the external surface of the article, for trapping such microorganism; a source for disabling energy; and means for conveying the energy from the source to the trapping means to disable such undesirable microorganisms at the trapping means and deter such propagation; and wherein: the conveying means comprise a fiber embedded or carried within the article.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
95 words
A self-cleaning indwelling therapeutic-article system, for protracted use in an extended condition within a patient's body, comprising: a therapeutic article that defines an external surface subject to the presence and propagation of undesirable microorganisms during such use; means, disposed at the external surface of the article, for trapping such microorganism; a source for disabling energy; and means for conveying the energy from the source to the trapping means to disable such undesirable microorganisms at the trapping means and deter such propagation; and wherein: the conveying means comprise a fiber embedded or carried within the article.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The therapeutic-article system of claim 31, wherein: the trapping means comprise a shallow groove defined in the external surface of the article.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 31, wherein: the fiber is a plastic fiber having a termination at the trapping means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 31, wherein: the fiber is a metal fiber having a termination at the trapping means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 34, wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of electrical voltage or current.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 31, wherein: the fiber is a plastic fiber passing adjacent to the trapping means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The self-cleaning therapeutic-article system of claim 31, wherein: the fiber is a metal fiber passing adjacent to the trapping means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
164 words
A self-cleaning indwelling therapeutic-article system, for protracted use in an extended condition within a patient's body, comprising: a therapeutic article including a catheter that defines: an internal lumen for protracted transfer of substance between two locations, at least one of which locations is inside such patient's body an external surface subject to the presence and propagation of undesirable organisms during such use, and at least one passageway defined through the external surface to communicate between the external surface and the internal lumen; means, disposed at the external surface of the article, for trapping microorganisms, at least most of said trapping means being disposed at portions of the external surface that are remote from every passageway defined through said external surface; a source of disabling energy; and means for conveying the energy from the source to the trapping means to disable such microorganisms at the trapping means and deter such propagation; and wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of propagating mechanical vibration.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
164 words
A self-cleaning indwelling therapeutic-article system, for protracted use in an extended condition within a patient's body, comprising: a therapeutic article including a catheter that defines: an internal lumen for protracted transfer of substance between two locations, at least one of which locations is inside such patient's body an external surface subject to the presence and propagation of undesirable organisms during such use, and at least one passageway defined through the external surface to communicate between the external surface and the internal lumen; means, disposed at the external surface of the article, for trapping microorganisms, at least most of said trapping means being disposed at portions of the external surface that are remote from every passageway defined through said external surface; a source of disabling energy; and means for conveying the energy from the source to the trapping means to disable such microorganisms at the trapping means and deter such propagation; and wherein: the energy source provides energy in the form of propagating mechanical vibration.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The therapeutic-article system of claim 38, wherein: the trapping means comprise a shallow groove defined in the external surface.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
214 words
A self-cleaning catheter system, for use in protracted transfer of substance between a patient's body and a point outside such patient's body, comprising: a catheter that defines an internal lumen for such protracted transfer of substance, and that defines an external surface subject to the presence and propagation of undesirable microorganisms during such transfer, or subject to accumulation and passive migration of debris, or both; means, disposed at the external surface of the catheter, for trapping and interfering with propagation of such microorganisms, or with migration of such debris, or both, said trapping-and-interfering means including: a generally circumferential depression that passes substantially around the catheter periphery, and a generally spiral depression that passes substantially around and along at least a part of the catheter length that is within such patient's body; a source, disposed outside such patient's body, of disabling or fragmenting energy; means for conveying the energy from the source to the trapping-and-interfering means to disable such undesirable microorganisms at the trapping-and-interfering means and deter such propagation, or to fragment such debris at the trapping-and-interfering means, or both; a suction device and trap outside such patient's body; and an additional lumen defined within the catheter, communicating with the trapping-and-interfering means through apertures in the catheter, and communicating with the suction device and trap.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
214 words
A self-cleaning catheter system, for use in protracted transfer of substance between a patient's body and a point outside such patient's body, comprising: a catheter that defines an internal lumen for such protracted transfer of substance, and that defines an external surface subject to the presence and propagation of undesirable microorganisms during such transfer, or subject to accumulation and passive migration of debris, or both; means, disposed at the external surface of the catheter, for trapping and interfering with propagation of such microorganisms, or with migration of such debris, or both, said trapping-and-interfering means including: a generally circumferential depression that passes substantially around the catheter periphery, and a generally spiral depression that passes substantially around and along at least a part of the catheter length that is within such patient's body; a source, disposed outside such patient's body, of disabling or fragmenting energy; means for conveying the energy from the source to the trapping-and-interfering means to disable such undesirable microorganisms at the trapping-and-interfering means and deter such propagation, or to fragment such debris at the trapping-and-interfering means, or both; a suction device and trap outside such patient's body; and an additional lumen defined within the catheter, communicating with the trapping-and-interfering means through apertures in the catheter, and communicating with the suction device and trap.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
201 words
A self-cleaning indwelling therapeutic-article system, for protracted use in an extended condition within a patient's body, the article passing between tissues of a duct or incision in the patient's body; said system comprising: a therapeutic article that during indwelling use: passes through such duct or incision, includes a portion that is closely encircled by such duct or incision tissues, and defines an external surface that is subject to the presence and propagation of undesirable microorganisms, or subject to accumulation and passive migration of debris, or both, along the portion that is closely encircled by tissues of such duct or incision; means, disposed at the external surface of the article, for trapping and interfering with migration of contaminants, said trapping-and-interfering means being disposed along at least the portion that is closely encircled by tissues of such duct or incision during such use; a source of effective disabling or fragmenting energy; and means for conveying the energy from the source to the trapping-and-interfering means to effectively disable such undesirable microorganisms, or to fragment such debris, or both, at the trapping-and-interfering means and deter such propagation or migration along the portion that is closely encircled by tissues of such duct or incision during use.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
201 words
A self-cleaning indwelling therapeutic-article system, for protracted use in an extended condition within a patient's body, the article passing between tissues of a duct or incision in the patient's body; said system comprising: a therapeutic article that during indwelling use: passes through such duct or incision, includes a portion that is closely encircled by such duct or incision tissues, and defines an external surface that is subject to the presence and propagation of undesirable microorganisms, or subject to accumulation and passive migration of debris, or both, along the portion that is closely encircled by tissues of such duct or incision; means, disposed at the external surface of the article, for trapping and interfering with migration of contaminants, said trapping-and-interfering means being disposed along at least the portion that is closely encircled by tissues of such duct or incision during such use; a source of effective disabling or fragmenting energy; and means for conveying the energy from the source to the trapping-and-interfering means to effectively disable such undesirable microorganisms, or to fragment such debris, or both, at the trapping-and-interfering means and deter such propagation or migration along the portion that is closely encircled by tissues of such duct or incision during use.
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