# US 10,307,574 B2 · Variable diameter surgical drains and sheaths > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,307,574 B2 - Document ID: US10307574B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/759,826 - Filed: 2013-02-05 - Published: 2013-08-22 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-16 - Applicants: John R. Dein - Inventors: John R. Dein - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307574B2 ## CPC - A61M 27/00: Drainage appliance for wounds or the like {, i.e. wound drains, implanted drains} ({negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90;} implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 {; middle ear drainage A61F11/202}) - A61M 25/0023: {by the form of the lumen, e.g. cross-section, variable diameter} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Surgical drains and methods for using the same for draining a body cavity are provided. Aspects of the surgical drains of the invention include an elongated structure having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen configured to drain a substance from the body cavity. The distal end is configured to be placed in a body cavity and change in diameter when present in the body cavity from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, where the change in diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element. Aspects of the invention further include sheaths configured to be disposed around surgical drains, such as surgical drains of the invention, and methods of using the surgical drains and sheaths. The devices and methods of the invention find use in a variety of applications. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of draining a pleural body cavity in a body, the method comprising: positioning a distal end of an elongated structure in a pleural body cavity, wherein the elongated structure comprises: a distal end configured to be placed in the pleural body cavity; a proximal end configured to be outside of the body when the distal end is present in the pleural body cavity; and a lumen configured to drain a substance from the pleural body cavity and change in inner diameter when present in the pleural body cavity from a first inner diameter to a second inner diameter that is smaller than the first inner diameter, wherein the change in inner diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element that is present along at least a distal one third of the distal end; draining the substance from the pleural body cavity via the elongated structure; decreasing the inner diameter of the distal end of the elongated structure prior to removal of the elongated structure; and removing the distal end of the elongated structure from the pleural body cavity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the decreasing comprises removing the diameter-varying element from the elongated structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the diameter-varying element is a wire. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises removing a tubular structure disposed around an outer surface of the elongated structure, wherein the tubular structure is secured to the distal end of the elongated structure, such that the tubular structure is removed after the elongated structure has been removed. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises removing a tubular structure disposed around an outer surface of the elongated structure, wherein the tubular structure is secured to the proximal end of the elongated structure, such that the tubular structure is removed at the same time as the elongated structure is removed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the position comprises inserting the distal end of the elongated structure through an incision in the skin of the body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the substance comprises air and liquid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning is performed when the inner diameter is the second inner diameter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the change in inner diameter from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter is 50% or more. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the elongated structure comprises two or more branches. ### Claim 11 A method of draining a thoracic body cavity in a body, the method comprising: positioning a distal end of an elongated structure in a thoracic body cavity, wherein the elongated structure comprises: a distal end configured to be placed in a thoracic body cavity; a proximal end configured to be outside of the body when the distal end is present in the thoracic body cavity; and a lumen configured to drain a substance from the thoracic body cavity and change in inner diameter when present in the thoracic body cavity from a first inner diameter to a second inner diameter that is smaller than the first inner diameter, wherein the change in inner diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element; draining the substance from the thoracic body cavity via the elongated structure; decreasing the inner diameter of the distal end of the elongated structure prior to removal of the elongated structure; and removing the distal end of the elongated structure from the thoracic body cavity. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the decreasing comprises removing the diameter-varying element from the elongated structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the diameter-varying element is a wire. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the diameter-varying element is a central spline. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the method further comprises removing a tubular structure disposed around an outer surface of the elongated structure, wherein the tubular structure is secured to the distal end of the elongated structure, such that the tubular structure is removed after the elongated structure has been removed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the method further comprises removing a tubular structure disposed around an outer surface of the elongated structure, wherein the tubular structure is secured to the proximal end of the elongated structure, such that the tubular structure is removed at the same time as the elongated structure is removed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the thoracic body cavity is a pericardial body cavity. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the positioning is performed when the inner diameter is the second inner diameter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the change in inner diameter from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter is 50% or more. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the elongated structure comprises two or more branches.