# US 11,076,885 B2 · Catheter removal instruments and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,076,885 B2 - Document ID: US11076885B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/174,065 - Filed: 2018-10-29 - Published: 2019-05-02 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-30 - Assignees: Ocean Medical, LLC - Applicants: Ocean Medical LLC - Inventors: Judson E. Threlkeld; Joseph A. Hare - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11076885B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/3468: {for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires (devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069)} - A61B 17/282: {Jaws} - A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery - A61B 17/32053: {Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife (A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695)} - A61B 17/00008: {Vein tendon strippers (tube strippers A61M1/83)} - A61B 2017/2945: {Curved jaws} - A61B 2017/320056: {Tunnelers} - A61M 25/01: Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters (A61M25/10 takes precedence) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - 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 Catheter removal instruments are provided that can include: at least a pair of instrument jaws aligned along the same axis and opposing one another when engaged, each of the jaws defining recesses having openings wherein the openings of each jaw oppose one another; and a plurality of tips and valleys within the recess with the tips extending toward the openings of each of the jaws, and each of the tips of one jaw aligned opposing the tip of another jaw when the jaws are engaged. Catheter removal instruments are also provided that can include: at least a pair of instrument jaws aligned along the same axis and opposing one another when engaged, each of the jaws defining recesses having openings wherein the openings of each jaw oppose one another; and wherein each of the jaws defines a semi-round channel having a smooth outer surface. Methods for removing a catheter are provided that can include working a pair of opposing semi-round channeled jaws over a brace to free the brace of dermis engaged with the brace; and removing the catheter. Methods for removing a catheter are also provided that can include engaging a catheter tube below the dermis with a plurality of tips extending from individual opposing jaws to remove the catheter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A catheter removal instrument for removal of a catheter at an interface of the catheter with a portion of dermis of a patient, comprising: two instrument arms each extending along an instrument arm axis, the two instrument arms pivoted together at a hinge, each instrument arm comprising a digitally manipulative portion at a proximal end and a jaw portion at a distal end, each jaw portion having a jaw, with each jaw oriented to face toward the jaw portion on which an opposing jaw is mounted, and wherein each jaw has an opening directed inwardly toward the other jaw and inwardly toward the instrument arm on which the opposing jaw is mounted, and wherein the distal end of each jaw portion is tapered toward the distal end of the jaw located on each jaw portion, so as to facilitate engagement of the jaw portions with a portion of the dermis of a patient, and wherein the jaws are each configured as at least partially curve shaped jaws which are located along their respective instrument arm to oppose each other when brought together, so that in use, the two opposing at least partially curve shaped jaws together clasp substantially around a catheter to be removed; wherein the jaws each include recesses having openings, wherein the openings oppose one another when the jaws are moved toward each other, and wherein the openings are defined by tips and valleys in the opening of each jaw, and wherein the tips and valleys extend along and within the jaws in a direction substantially along the axis of the instrument arm on which the jaw is mounted. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the tips and valleys extend along the axis of the instrument arm on which the jaw is mounted for a distance, wherein the tips and valleys provide a toothed configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein each jaw comprises a tooth portion at or near the distal end, and a smooth portion extending inwardly from the tooth portion to a terminus at a proximal end, along the axis of the instrument arm on which the jaw is located. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 3, wherein each tooth portion comprises a plurality of teeth. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 4, wherein the plurality of teeth each further comprise one or more beveled portions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 5, wherein the one or more beveled portions comprise a distal beveled portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of teeth has a distal side and a proximate side, and wherein each of the plurality of teeth further comprises a flat edge at the proximate side. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 5, wherein the plurality of teeth each comprise four beveled portions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the tips and valleys extend along the axis of the instrument arm on which the jaw is mounted for a distance wherein the tips and valleys provide an inside surface which is shaped as a plurality of triangular prisms within the jaw portion, wherein the valleys are formed between adjacent triangular prisms, and the tips are formed at vertices of the triangular prisms. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 9, wherein the triangular prisms in each jaw have distal end coterminous with a distal end of the jaw, and extend inwardly from the distal end to a proximal end coterminous with a proximal end of the jaw, along the axis of the instrument arm on which the jaw is located. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 9, wherein each triangular prism further comprises one or more beveled portions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 11, wherein the one or more beveled portions comprise a front beveled portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein each jaw comprises a thin half-cylindrical annulus shape having an inside surface, with a plurality of teeth mounted on the inside surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein each jaw comprises a thin half-cylindrical annulus shape having an inside surface, wherein the inside surface is shaped as a plurality of triangular prisms mounted on the inside surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein each jaw comprises a thin one-half frusto-conical shape having an inside surface, where the frusto-conical shape has a distal end and a proximal end, and wherein the proximal end is larger in diameter than the distal end, and wherein a plurality of teeth are mounted on the inside surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein each jaw comprises a thin half-cylindrical annulus shape having an outside surface, and wherein the outside surface is smooth. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein the distal end of each jaw portion is tapered. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The catheter removal instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein the distal end of each jaw portion is rounded. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A method for removing a catheter at an interface of the catheter with a dermis portion of a patient with the catheter removal instrument set forth in claim 1, comprising: providing the two instrument arms; working the jaws over a brace to free the brace of dermis engaged with the brace; expanding digital pressure against the instrument arms supporting the jaws to move the jaws away from one another and against the dermis during the working; and removing the catheter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein the brace has side portions, and wherein the working comprises extending the jaws along the side portions of the brace. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein the catheter comprises a tube extending along an axis, and wherein the working comprises rotating the jaws about the axis of the tube. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A method for removing a catheter at an interface of the catheter with a dermis portion of a patient with the catheter removal instrument set forth in claim 1, comprising: providing the catheter removal instrument; engaging a catheter tube below the dermis with the tips; and removing the catheter, by providing outward force on the catheter via the catheter removal instrument. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 further comprising extending the jaws over a brace before engaging the catheter. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23 further comprising engaging a distal portion of the brace with the tips to remove the catheter. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 further comprising digitally manipulating the instrument arms supporting the jaws to remove the catheter. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25 wherein the digitally manipulating comprises rotating the engaged jaws about the axis of the catheter tube to remove the catheter.