US5217439A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sanitary rectal catheter and method of use
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-06-08
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Granted: 1993-06-08
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Expires: 2012-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A sanitary catheter particularly designed for the administration of barium enemas. The catheter includes a protective sheath formed of a fluid-impervious, flexible material, which may be extended over those portions of the catheter which have been inserted into a patient so that the sheath completely encloses contaminated portions of the catheter to prevent leakage of contaminated fluids therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth D. McClusky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0111; A61M3/00; A61M3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A sanitary catheter comprising: an elongated tube having first and second ends and forward and rearward portions disposed proximate, respectively, said first and second ends; a rectal cannula disposed proximate said first end, said cannula being configured for insertion into the rectum of a patient and including a bore formed therethrough for passage of a radiographic liquid into the rectum; means disposed proximate said second end for attaching said tube to a source of said radiographic liquid for flow of said liquid through said tube, said cannula and said bore; a stop formed on said tube medial of said forward and rearward portions for engagement with the anal sphincter of the patient so that only said forward portion of said tube can be inserted into the rectum; and a shield for enclosing the forward portion of said tube, said shield being disposed around said tube at a location rearward of said stop, said shield including a liquid-impervious, flexible sheath having an inner surface adjacent said tube and an outer, exposed surface and being of a length sufficient to extend beyond said first end to enclose said cannula and said forward portion such that said inner surface is exposed, said sheath, when not in use, overlying said rearward portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A sanitary catheter comprising: an elongated tube having first and second ends and forward and rearward portions disposed proximate, respectively, said first and second ends; a rectal cannula disposed proximate said first end, said cannula being configured for insertion into the rectum of a patient and including a bore formed therethrough for passage of a radiographic liquid into the rectum; means disposed proximate said second end for attaching said tube to a source of said radiographic liquid for flow of said liquid through said tube, said cannula and said bore; a stop formed on said tube medial of said forward and rearward portions for engagement with the anal sphincter of the patient so that only said forward portion of said tube can be inserted into the rectum; and a shield for enclosing the forward portion of said tube, said shield being disposed around said tube at a location rearward of said stop, said shield including a liquid-impervious, flexible sheath having an inner surface adjacent said tube and an outer, exposed surface and being of a length sufficient to extend beyond said first end to enclose said cannula and said forward portion such that said inner surface is exposed, said sheath, when not in use, overlying said rearward portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The catheter of claim 1 further comprising an inflatable cuff disposed around said tube on said forward portion at a location rearward of said cannula to act as a barrier against leakage of said fluid from the rectum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the sheath further includes first and second open ends, said first end being disposed coaxially around said tube and attached thereto, said first end remaining free of said tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter of claim 3 wherein the sheath further includes a plurality of circumferentially extending pleats such that said free, second end lies proximate said first end when the shield is not in use.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter of claim 3 wherein said shield length is sufficient to provide a portion that extends beyond said tube first end so that the second, open end of the sheath may be sealed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the sheath is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: latex; polyvinylchloride; polyurethane; polyvinylidine fluoride; and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
204 words
A protective shield for enclosing a forward portion of a barium enema catheter of the type including an elongated tube having: first and second ends and forward and rearward portions disposed proximate, respectively, said first and second ends; a rectal cannula disposed proximate said end and configured for insertion into the rectum of a patient, said cannula including a bore formed therethrough for passage of radiographic fluid into the rectum; means proximate said second end for attaching said tube to a source of radiographic liquid for flow of said liquid through said tube, said cannula, and said bore; and a stop formed on said tube medial of said forward and rearward portions for engagement with the anal sphincter of said patient, such that only said forward portion of said tube can be inserted into the rectum, said sheath comprising: a liquid-impervious, flexible sheath disposed around said tube at a location rearward of said stop and having an inner surface adjacent said tube and an outer exposed surface, said sheath having a length sufficient to extend beyond said first end to enclose said cannula and said forward portion such that said inner surface is exposed, said sheath, when not in use, overlying said rearward portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
204 words
A protective shield for enclosing a forward portion of a barium enema catheter of the type including an elongated tube having: first and second ends and forward and rearward portions disposed proximate, respectively, said first and second ends; a rectal cannula disposed proximate said end and configured for insertion into the rectum of a patient, said cannula including a bore formed therethrough for passage of radiographic fluid into the rectum; means proximate said second end for attaching said tube to a source of radiographic liquid for flow of said liquid through said tube, said cannula, and said bore; and a stop formed on said tube medial of said forward and rearward portions for engagement with the anal sphincter of said patient, such that only said forward portion of said tube can be inserted into the rectum, said sheath comprising: a liquid-impervious, flexible sheath disposed around said tube at a location rearward of said stop and having an inner surface adjacent said tube and an outer exposed surface, said sheath having a length sufficient to extend beyond said first end to enclose said cannula and said forward portion such that said inner surface is exposed, said sheath, when not in use, overlying said rearward portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The catheter of claim 7 further comprising an inflatable cuff disposed around said tube on said forward portion at a location rearward of said cannula to act as a barrier against leakage of said fluid from the rectum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The catheter of claim 7 wherein the sheath further includes first and second open ends, said first end being disposed coaxially around said tube and attached thereto, said first end remaining free of said tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter of claim 9 wherein the sheath further includes a plurality of circumferentially extending pleats such that said free, second end lies proximate said first end when the shield is not in use.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter of claim 9 wherein said shield length is sufficient to provide a portion that extends beyond said tube first end so that the second, open end of the sheath may be sealed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter of claim 7 wherein the sheath is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: latex; polyvinylchoride; polyurethane; polyvinylidine fluoride; and mixtures thereof.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
338 words
A method of protectively enclosing a barium enema catheter after it has been used in a patient, said method comprising the steps of: providing a catheter including an elongated tube having first and second ends and forward and rearward portions disposed proximate, respectively, said first and second ends; a rectal cannula disposed proximate said first end, said cannula being configured for insertion into the rectum of a patient and including a bore formed therethrough for passage of a radiographic liquid into the rectum; means disposed proximate said second end for attaching said tube to a source of said radiographic liquid for flow of said liquid through said tube, said cannula and said bore; a stop formed on said tube medial of said forward and rearward portions for engagement with the anal sphincter of the patient so that only said forward portion of said tube can be inserted into the rectum; and a shield for enclosing the forward portion of said tube, said shield being disposed around said tube at a location rearward of said stop, said shield including a liquid-impervious, flexible sheath having an inner surface adjacent said tube and an outer exposed surface and being of a length sufficient to extend beyond said first end to enclose said cannula and said forward portion such that said inner surface is exposed, said sheath, when not in use, overlying said rearward portion; attaching said catheter to said source of radiographic fluid; inserting the cannula into the patient's rectum; causing the radiographic fluid to flow through said tube, cannula, bore and into the rectum for a sufficient time to enable radiographic studies of the patient's lower gastrointestinal tract to be done; stopping the flow of said radiographic fluid; removing said cannula from the patient's rectum; grasping the free end of the sheath; bringing the free end of the sheath forward until the sheath is fully extended and its inner surface exposed; closing the free end to enclose the cannula and forward portion inside said sheath; and disposing of said catheter.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
338 words
A method of protectively enclosing a barium enema catheter after it has been used in a patient, said method comprising the steps of: providing a catheter including an elongated tube having first and second ends and forward and rearward portions disposed proximate, respectively, said first and second ends; a rectal cannula disposed proximate said first end, said cannula being configured for insertion into the rectum of a patient and including a bore formed therethrough for passage of a radiographic liquid into the rectum; means disposed proximate said second end for attaching said tube to a source of said radiographic liquid for flow of said liquid through said tube, said cannula and said bore; a stop formed on said tube medial of said forward and rearward portions for engagement with the anal sphincter of the patient so that only said forward portion of said tube can be inserted into the rectum; and a shield for enclosing the forward portion of said tube, said shield being disposed around said tube at a location rearward of said stop, said shield including a liquid-impervious, flexible sheath having an inner surface adjacent said tube and an outer exposed surface and being of a length sufficient to extend beyond said first end to enclose said cannula and said forward portion such that said inner surface is exposed, said sheath, when not in use, overlying said rearward portion; attaching said catheter to said source of radiographic fluid; inserting the cannula into the patient's rectum; causing the radiographic fluid to flow through said tube, cannula, bore and into the rectum for a sufficient time to enable radiographic studies of the patient's lower gastrointestinal tract to be done; stopping the flow of said radiographic fluid; removing said cannula from the patient's rectum; grasping the free end of the sheath; bringing the free end of the sheath forward until the sheath is fully extended and its inner surface exposed; closing the free end to enclose the cannula and forward portion inside said sheath; and disposing of said catheter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-07 | 1996-12-07 | 1997-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-07 | 2000-12-07 | 2001-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-07 | 2004-12-07 | 2005-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |