Devices for clearing blockages in in-situ artificial lumens

Inventors

Bagwell, Roger B. • Frankhouser, Paul L. • Mulvihill, Maureen L. • Crespo, Josue R. • Park, Brian M. • Mallen, Dana B. • Meza, Gabriela Hernandez • Demers, Debora L.

Assignees

Actuated Medical Inc

Abstract

A device for the breaking-apart of occlusions includes a stationary fitting, a hollow tube and a second fitting configured to reciprocate so as to cause the hollow tube to be compressed and expanded. The hollow tube is coupled on one side to the stationary fitting, and the stationary fitting provides access to a hollow portion of the hollow tube.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to devices for breaking-apart of occlusions using in situ tube-clearing devices for artificial lumens, including feeding tubes. The device includes a stationary fitting and a hollow tube coupled to the stationary fitting, where the stationary fitting provides access to a hollow portion of the hollow tube. A second fitting is configured to reciprocate to cause compression and expansion of the hollow tube, producing an occlusion-breaking action while the tube remains coupled to the patient through the stationary fitting.

In one embodiment, the system uses a reciprocating tube clearer (TCI) with a disposable clearing stem arranged with a wire and sheath. The clearance mechanism is driven by an external controller that delivers repetitive motion to the second fitting, and a tube depth-control collar is provided. The description includes a wire-and-sheath arrangement in which the clearing stem protrudes from the stationary fitting opening, and it further includes coupling arrangements such as a magnetic/Luer-type coupling with a sealed control box for activation and control.

In another embodiment, the system uses a rotating tube clearer (TC2) with a handheld external motor driving a flexible clearing member. The rotating arrangement includes torque limiting and harmonic control to reduce instability and injury. The description also provides optional aspiration/irrigation via aspiration/irrigation ports and/or sheath channels, and it describes configurations with aspiration/irrigation through a sheath or alternatives including a hollow lumen/wire.

Claims Coverage

The supplied independent claims cover six inventive features centered on a stationary fitting providing access to a hollow portion of a hollow tube and a second fitting that reciprocates to compress and expand the hollow tube, with interface-specific variants for wire and sheath arrangements and one claim requiring an actuator generating repetitive motion.

The claim coverage is directed to the stationary fitting and reciprocating hollow tube arrangement, with variants requiring a flexible wire, a flexible sheath, a concentric sheath-and-wire arrangement, or an actuator generating repetitive motion.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications