Methods 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 method for the in situ clearing of blockages in artificial tubes completely or partially disposed within a living being is described. The method includes coupling a first end of a releasably-securable flexible clearing member to a controller, inserting a second working end of the flexible clearing member into an opening in the artificial tube, energizing the controller such that said flexible clearing member experiences repetitive motion, and positioning the flexible clearing member such that the second working end of the flexible clearing member comes into repetitive contact with the blockage for clearing the blockage therein. The controller remains outside of the living being and the flexible clearing member clears the blockage when positioned within a straight portion or within a curved portion of the artificial tube.

Core Innovation

The disclosed invention relates to mechanical in situ clearing of blockages in artificial tubes that are completely or partially disposed within a living being. A releasably-securable flexible clearing member is coupled to a controller that remains outside of the living being, and a second working end of the flexible clearing member is inserted into an opening in the artificial tube. The controller is energized so the flexible clearing member experiences repetitive motion and the second working end comes into repetitive contact with the blockage for clearing the blockage therein.

The clearing is performed when the flexible clearing member is positioned within a straight portion or within a curved portion of the artificial tube. The repetitive motion comprises reciprocating motion along a longitudinal axis of the artificial tube, enabling the working end to repeatedly contact the blockage for clearing while accounting for straight and curved tube portions.

In one described implementation, the inserted working end includes a wire movable within a stationary sheath, where a first wire end is coupled to a controller actuator that generates the reciprocating motion. Coupling of the releasably-securable flexible clearing member to the controller is performed by magnetically coupling the flexible clearing member to an actuator shaft through a flexible diaphragm that seals a portion of the controller.

In another described implementation, restricting the amount of the flexible clearing member that is inserted into the artificial tube is performed using a tube depth-control collar that interferes with the opening of the artificial tube, thereby preventing further displacement within the artificial tube. The depth-control collar position is adjustable along a length of the flexible clearing member, and the inserted working end can include a first sheath end having a brush positioned thereat.

Claims Coverage

The provided material identifies two independent method claims. Across the independent claims, four inventive features are emphasized: external-controller in situ clearing with repetitive contact, reciprocating wire-in-stationary-sheath motion with magnetic diaphragm coupling, insertion depth restriction using a tube depth-control collar, and a sheath-end brush configuration.

The independent claims collectively cover clearing blockages in artificial tubes within a living being using an external controller that energizes a releasably-securable flexible clearing member for repetitive contact. One independent claim further specifies reciprocating longitudinal-axis wire motion within a stationary sheath and magnetic coupling through a flexible diaphragm, while the other independent claim further specifies tube depth-control via a collar that interferes with the tube opening and an inserted brush-at-sheath configuration.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications