Devices for clearing blockages in in-situ artificial lumens
Inventors
Bagwell, Roger B • Park, Brian M • Mulvihill, Maureen L • Hernandez Meza, Gabriela • Mallen, Dana B • Frankhouser, Paul L • Crespo, Josue R • Demers, Debora L
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8906169-B2
Publication Date
2014-12-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices and methods for the effective clearing of artificial tubes, especially in-situ clearing of artificial tubes in a living being are covered in this disclosure. An elongated clearing member includes either a fixed or an adjustable element that selectively defines the portion of the elongated clearing member that is insertable within the artificial tube. The proximal end of the clearing member is releasably secured to the driving mechanism and the driving mechanisms may comprise a wide variety of repetitive motion drivers such as voice coil motors, piezoelectric actuators, pneumatic actuators, DC motors, etc. These devices/methods may comprise a free-standing console for hands-free operation or may comprise hand-held versions. The distal working end of the clearing member may comprise tips of differing functions, including an irrigation/aspiration feature.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to devices for the in situ clearing of a blockage in an artificial tube that is completely or partially disposed within a living being. The device includes a controller with an actuator generating repetitive motion and a clearing member having a sheath located within the artificial tube. A wire extends through the sheath and out of a distal end in a distal direction, is located within the artificial tube, and includes a wire tip that engages the blockage.
Repetitive motion is imparted by the actuator to move the wire in relation to the sheath so that a first portion of the wire moves into and out of the distal end of the sheath at a location within the artificial tube. A second portion of the wire distal to the first portion remains distal to and outside of the distal end of the sheath while the wire has the repetitive motion imparted thereon. The clearing action is produced by the relative movement between the wire, sheath, and blockage-engaging wire tip.
In one configuration, a tube-depth control collar engages the sheath and the artificial tube and limits insertion depth of the sheath into the artificial tube, with repetitive motion of the wire moving in relation to the tube-depth control collar. In another configuration, the device is defined for a feeding tube, and the actuator imparts repetitive motion to the wire to move in relation to a tube-depth control collar and to move in relation to the feeding tube.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent claims. Each claim is grounded in repetitive motion of a wire relative to a sheath, with additional inventive features focused on tube-depth control and the context of an artificial tube or a feeding tube.
Repetitive motion wire and sheath for in situ blockage clearing
A controller having an actuator for generating repetitive motion; a clearing member with a sheath located within an artificial tube in a living being, the clearing member having a wire extending through the sheath and out of a distal end in a distal direction while located within the artificial tube; the actuator imparts repetitive motion to the wire to cause the wire to move in relation to the sheath such that a first portion of the wire moves into and out of the distal end of the sheath within the artificial tube while a second portion remains distal to and outside of the distal end of the sheath; and a wire tip engages the blockage in the artificial tube.
Feeding tube with tube-depth control collar engaging sheath and feeding tube
A device comprising a feeding tube; a controller with an actuator generating repetitive motion; a clearing member having a sheath and a wire disposed through the sheath; and a tube-depth control collar engaging the sheath and engaging the feeding tube; where the actuator imparts repetitive motion to the wire to cause the wire to move in relation to the tube-depth control collar and to cause the wire to move in relation to the feeding tube; where the wire extends out of a distal end of the sheath in a distal direction and is located within the feeding tube; and where repetitive motion causes a first portion of the wire to move into and out of the distal end of the sheath at a location within the feeding tube while a second portion remains distal to and outside of the distal end of the sheath.
External controller with tube-depth control collar limiting insertion depth
A controller that remains outside of the living being, the controller having an actuator for generating repetitive motion; a clearing member having a sheath located within the artificial tube, the clearing member having a wire extending through the sheath and out of a distal end in a distal direction and located within the artificial tube; the actuator imparts repetitive motion to the wire to cause the wire to move in relation to the sheath such that a first portion moves into and out of the distal end of the sheath at a location within the artificial tube while a second portion remains distal to and outside of the distal end of the sheath; a wire tip engages the blockage in the artificial tube; and a tube-depth control collar engaging the sheath and the artificial tube that limits insertion depth of the sheath into the artificial tube, wherein repetitive motion of the wire causes the wire to move in relation to the tube-depth control collar.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on in situ blockage clearing by driving repetitive motion of a wire through a sheath so that the wire tip engages a blockage, with additional emphasis on feeding-tube configurations and on a tube-depth control collar that engages the sheath and the feeding tube or artificial tube.
Stated Advantages
Fast clog removal (e.g., <6 minutes).
Higher success rate.
Cleaner tube walls versus other approaches.
Documented Applications
Mechanical cleaning / clog removal in feeding tubes, including PEG tubes, NG tubes, GJ tubes, and NJ tubes.
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