Patent US3355935A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5129889A
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US
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Synthetic absorbable epidural catheter
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1990-06-25
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Granted: 1992-07-14
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Expires: 2010-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A sterile catheter formed of a biodegradable, biocompatible material for use in a continuous epidural anesthesia procedure. The epidural catheter has an effective lumen size and includes a flexible tube molded from a synthetic polymer which is absorbable in living tissue. The catheter is characterized as being dimensionally and structurally stable within the body for the duration of surgery and into the postoperative period and absorbable without causing any unfavorable tissue reaction.
Inventors
- 👤 John L. Hahn
- 👤 Philip A. Pappas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3401; A61L; A61L29/00; A61L29/04; A61L29/06; A61L29/14; A61L29/148
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A sterile epidural catheter for use in an epidural anesthesia procedure comprising a biocompatible, biodegradable synthetic polymer absorbable in living tissue, said synthetic polymer being selected from the group consisting of a homopolymer of dioxanone, a homopolymer of caprolactone, polylactide, polyglycolide, a copolymer of lactide and glycolide, a copolymer of caprolactone and glycolide, and a copolymer of caprolactone and lactide, wherein said epidural catheter is substantially circular in cross section having an outer diameter in the range of about 0.6 to about 1.0 mm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A sterile epidural catheter for use in an epidural anesthesia procedure comprising a biocompatible, biodegradable synthetic polymer absorbable in living tissue, said synthetic polymer being selected from the group consisting of a homopolymer of dioxanone, a homopolymer of caprolactone, polylactide, polyglycolide, a copolymer of lactide and glycolide, a copolymer of caprolactone and glycolide, and a copolymer of caprolactone and lactide, wherein said epidural catheter is substantially circular in cross section having an outer diameter in the range of about 0.6 to about 1.0 mm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The epidural catheter according to claim 1 wherein the catheter has an inner diameter of about 0.8 mm and an outer diameter of about 1.0 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The epidural catheter according to claim 1 wherein the absorbable synthetic polymer comprises a copolymer of lactide and glycolide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The epidural catheter according to claim 1 wherein the absorbable synthetic polymer comprises a copolymer of caprolactone and glycolide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The epidural catheter according to claim 1 wherein the absorbable synthetic polymer comprises a copolymer of caprolactone and lactide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The epidural catheter according to claim 1 wherein the absorbable synthetic polymer comprises a homopolymer of dioxanone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The epidural catheter according to claim 1 wherein the catheter comprises a single-lumen type tubular structure having a single terminal opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The epidural catheter according to claim 7 wherein the catheter is provided with an internal stylet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The epidural catheter according to claim 8 wherein the catheter and stylet combination is packaged in a sterile and dry environment within a sealed and substantially moisture-impervious container.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for continuous epidural anesthesia, comprising the steps of: inserting a rigid, hollow epidural needle successively through a patient's skin, subcutaneous tissue, interspinous ligament and ligamentum flavum until the tip of the needle reaches an epidural space; introducing a sterile epidural catheter through the needle, out through an opening in the tip of the needle, and into the epidural space to a length of about 3-5 cm; and injecting an anesthetic agent via the epidural catheter, wherein said epidural catheter comprises a biocompatible, biodegradable synthetic polymer absorbable in living tissue selected from the group consisting of a homopolymer of dioxanone, a homopolymer of caprolactone, polylactide, polyglycolide, a copolymer of lactide and glycolide, a copolymer of caprolactone and glycolide, and a copolymer of caprolactone and lactide.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for continuous epidural anesthesia, comprising the steps of: inserting a rigid, hollow epidural needle successively through a patient's skin, subcutaneous tissue, interspinous ligament and ligamentum flavum until the tip of the needle reaches an epidural space; introducing a sterile epidural catheter through the needle, out through an opening in the tip of the needle, and into the epidural space to a length of about 3-5 cm; and injecting an anesthetic agent via the epidural catheter, wherein said epidural catheter comprises a biocompatible, biodegradable synthetic polymer absorbable in living tissue selected from the group consisting of a homopolymer of dioxanone, a homopolymer of caprolactone, polylactide, polyglycolide, a copolymer of lactide and glycolide, a copolymer of caprolactone and glycolide, and a copolymer of caprolactone and lactide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein said epidural catheter is substantially circular in cross section having an outer diameter in the range of about 0.6 to about 1.0 mm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said epidural catheter has an inner diameter of about 0.8 mm and an outer diameter of about 1.0 mm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein the absorbable synthetic polymer comprises a copolymer of lactide and glycolide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein the absorbable synthetic polymer comprises a copolymer of caprolactone and glycolide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein the absorbable synthetic polymer comprises a copolymer of caprolactone and lactide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein the absorbable synthetic polymer comprises a homopolymer of dioxanone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein said epidural catheter comprises a single-lumen type tubular structure having a single terminal opening.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 17 wherein said epidural catheter is provided with an internal stylet which is removed once said catheter is sufficiently introduced into the patient's body.
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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) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-01-13 | 1996-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-14 | 2000-01-13 | 2000-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-14 | 2004-01-13 | 2004-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |