# US 12,005,232 B1 · Methods and devices to prevent obstructions in medical tubes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,005,232 B1 - Document ID: US12005232B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 17/222,562 - Filed: 2021-04-05 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-07-25 - Assignees: Circulatech, LLC - Applicants: CirculaTech LLC - Inventors: Jake Tyler Pardell-Pistiner; Stephen McClain; Rachel Malvagomes; Kathleen Ana Gonzalez; Carson Daniel Schaff; Amirah Suleiman; Nicholas Paul Bello; Sara Budar; David Bradshaw Pearlstone - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005232B1 ## CPC - A61M 5/16831: {Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies (low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066)} - A61M 25/0017: {specially adapted for long-term hygiene care, e.g. urethral or indwelling catheters to prevent infections} - 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 39/0208: {Subcutaneous access sites (implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276; transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247)} - A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings - A61M 39/105: {Multi-channel connectors or couplings, e.g. for connecting multi-lumen tubes (multi-channel connectors in general F16L37/56)} - A61M 39/24: Check- or non-return valves - A61M 2025/0019: {Cleaning catheters or the like, e.g. for reuse of the device, for avoiding replacement} - A61M 2039/082: {Multi-lumen tubes} - A61M 2039/1083: {having a plurality of female connectors, e.g. Luer connectors} - A61M 2039/2406: {designed to quickly shut upon the presence of back-pressure} - 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 In various embodiments, a drainage device includes an inner lumen configured for draining fluid from a target site and one or more outer lumens for transmitting dilution fluid to the inner lumen. According to one embodiment, the drainage device includes one or more eyelets and/or a distal opening through which the fluid from the target site enters the inner lumen. In one or more embodiments, the dilution fluid is transmitted to the inner lumen through one or more ports that may output the dilution fluid directly into the inner lumen or into the eyelet. According to one embodiment, as the fluid from the target site flows through the drainage device, the dilution fluid reduces clotting processes such that formation of blockages within the inner lumen is prevented or at least reduced. In some embodiments, the dilution fluid is substituted with, or provided in addition to, pharmaceutical solutions or other infusions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A blockage resistant drainage device comprising: a cylindrical body forming a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end; an inner lumen formed within the cylindrical body and comprising a particular diameter; a plurality of outer lumens formed within the cylindrical body, each of the plurality of outer lumens comprising a diameter of between 0.1 mm to a diameter equal to the particular diameter for passing dilution fluid to the inner lumen; and a plurality of eyelets extending from an exterior surface of the cylindrical body to the inner lumen for draining fluid from a patient, each of the plurality of eyelets comprising: a first opening at the exterior surface comprising a diameter of about 1-50 mm; and a second opening at a point of entry of the inner lumen, wherein a diameter of the second opening is smaller than a diameter of the first opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The blockage resistant drainage device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of outer lumens pass dilution fluid into the inner lumen at a point adjacent to an eyelet of the plurality of eyelets. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The blockage resistant drainage device of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of eyelets comprise a distal eyelet proximate the distal end of the cylindrical body; and each of the plurality of outer lumens pass dilution fluid into the inner lumen through an opening located at a point between the distal end of the cylindrical body and the distal eyelet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The blockage resistant drainage device of claim 1, wherein: the distal end of the cylindrical tube is sealed; the inner lumen and at least one outer lumen of the plurality of outer lumens are fluidly connected near the distal end of the cylindrical tube; and the at least one outer lumen passes dilution fluid to the inner lumen near the distal end of the cylindrical tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The blockage resistant drainage device of claim 1, wherein the blockage resistant drainage device comprises a cap attached to a distal end of the cylindrical body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The blockage resistant drainage device of claim 5, wherein the cap comprises a cap lumen connecting the outer lumen and the inner lumen such that the dilution fluid passes through the outer lumen and the cap lumen and into the inner lumen. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The blockage resistant drainage device of claim 1, wherein the inner lumen is configured to be operatively connected to a vacuum system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The blockage resistant drainage device of claim 1, wherein the blockage resistant drainage device further comprises a luer lock comprising a one-way valve at the point near the proximal end for connecting at least one of the plurality of outer lumens to a mechanism for delivering dilution fluid to the inner lumen. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The blockage resistant drainage device of claim 8, wherein the mechanism for delivering dilution fluid comprises a pump for pumping the dilution fluid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The blockage resistant drainage device of claim 8, wherein the mechanism for delivering dilution fluid comprises a syringe for pushing the dilution fluid.