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
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-8690861-B2
Publication Date
2014-04-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for the in situ clearing of blockages in a tube includes a controller and a clearing member. The controller can have a housing and an actuator for generating repetitive motion. The clearing member can be releasably coupled to the controller and suitable for insertion in the tube. The tube can be at least partially disposed within a living being. The controller can be located external to the living being. The clearing member can have a first end releasably coupled to the actuator, at least one flexible section which permits axial displacement of the clearing member, and a second end suitable for repetitively engaging and disrupting the blockage. The flexible section permits the clearing member to repetitively engage and disrupt the blockage within one of a straight and a curved portion of the artificial tube.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to devices and approaches for the in situ clearing of blockages in a tube, where the tube is at least partially disposed within a living being. A controller located external to the living being includes an actuator for generating repetitive motion, and a clearing member is releasably coupled to the controller and is suitable for insertion in the tube.
The clearing member includes a first end releasably coupled to the actuator and a second end configured to repetitively engage and disrupt the blockage. The clearing member further includes at least one flexible section that permits axial displacement and enables the clearing member to repetitively engage and disrupt the blockage within one of a straight and a curved portion of the tube.
In one architecture, the housing comprises a support member extending from a surface and adapted to receive a portion of the clearing member. In another architecture, the housing further includes a support member extending from a surface, adapted to receive a portion of a stationary sheath, and the clearing member includes a movable member displaceably mounted within the stationary sheath.
The controller and clearing member are configured to perform controlled in situ mechanical clearing of blockages within artificial lumens.
Claims Coverage
The provided material includes two independent claims that both cover an external controller with an actuator generating repetitive motion and a releasably coupled, insertable clearing member having a flexible section for axial displacement, configured for repetitive engagement and disruption of blockages in straight or curved tube portions inside a living being. The claims also specify housing support arrangements, including one with a stationary sheath/movable member arrangement.
External controller generating repetitive motion for in situ tube blockage clearing
A controller having a housing and an actuator for generating repetitive motion, wherein the controller is located external to the living being.
Releasably coupled insertable clearing member with flexible axial-displacement section
A clearing member releasably coupled to the controller and suitable for insertion in the tube, wherein the clearing member has a first end releasably coupled to the actuator, at least one flexible section permitting axial displacement of the clearing member, and a second end suitable for repetitively engaging and disrupting the blockage.
Repetitive engagement and disruption within straight and curved tube portions
The flexible section permits the clearing member to repetitively engage and disrupt the blockage within one of a straight and a curved portion of the tube.
Housing support member for receiving a portion of the clearing member
The controller housing further comprises a support member extending from a surface therefrom and adapted to receive a portion of the clearing member.
Stationary sheath with displaceably mounted movable member and housing sheath-receiving support
The housing comprises a support member extending from a surface of the housing, wherein the clearing member further comprises a movable member displaceably mounted within a stationary sheath, the movable member including the first end, and wherein the support member is adapted to receive a portion of the stationary sheath.
Across both independent claims, the core claim coverage is the combination of an external controller generating repetitive motion with a releasably coupled, insertable clearing member having a flexible axial-displacement section and a second end for repetitive engagement and disruption inside a tube portion, including support-member structures for guiding the clearing member and, in one claim, a stationary sheath with a displaceably mounted movable member.
Stated Advantages
Faster clearing compared with conventional flushing/chemical/mechanical methods.
Cleaner tube walls compared with conventional flushing/chemical/mechanical methods.
Documented Applications
In situ clearing of blockages in a tube with the tube at least partially disposed within a living being, including artificial lumens and feeding tubes.
Interested in licensing this patent?