Thoracostomy device

A thoracostomy device adapted to be extended into an incision in a patient, comprising:

• (a) a handle portion having a distal end;
• (b) an insertion portion extending through said handle portion and extending from said handle portion distal end, and having a linear portion and a curved terminal portion having a distal end, said insertion portion having opposed substantially continuous first inner and second outer lateral surfaces, said linear portion having a longitudinal axis, wherein said curved terminal portion is sufficiently curved so as to provide deflection of its terminal end from about 5 degrees to about 35 degrees from said longitudinal axis of said linear portion;
• said device defining a central axis extending therethrough, wherein said insertion portion includes an atraumatic tip disposed at the distal end, the atraumatic tip includes a flat portion that is perpendicular with respect to the central axis and the flat portion being a length that is between ½ and ⅓ of a diameter of the insertion portion;
• and
• (c) a continuous channel open at its proximal and distal ends, and extending through insertion portion and open along a lateral side thereof to said first inner lateral surface, said channel having a medial axis offset from and parallel to said central axis, said channel adapted to guide a tube along said central axis and distally to a position beyond said curved terminal portion distal end, while being adapted to allow a tube to be removed laterally of said open channel, wherein said channel has an internal surface cross-section defining an arc of from about 210 degrees to about 325 degrees, wherein said channel includes an overhang to provide an opening that is narrower than a widest portion of an inner diameter of the channel.

A thoracostomy device adapted to be extended into an incision in a patient, comprising:

• (a) a handle portion having a distal end;
• (b) an insertion portion extending through said handle portion and extending from said handle portion distal end, and having a linear portion and a curved terminal portion having a distal end, said insertion portion having opposed substantially continuous first inner and second outer lateral surfaces, said device defining a central axis extending therethrough, wherein said insertion portion includes an atraumatic tip disposed at the distal end, the atraumatic tip includes a flat portion that is perpendicular with respect to the central axis and the flat portion being a length that is between ½ and ⅓ of a diameter of the insertion portion;
• (c) a continuous channel open at its proximal and distal ends, and extending through insertion portion and open along a lateral side thereof to said first inner lateral surface, said channel having a medial axis offset from and parallel to said central axis, said channel adapted to guide a tube along said central axis and distally to a position beyond said curved terminal portion distal end, while being adapted to allow a tube to be removed laterally of said open channel, wherein said channel includes an overhang to provide an opening that is narrower than a widest portion of an inner diameter of the channel;
• and
• (d) said handle portion having a compartment adapted to contain a medical instrument, scalpel or a flexible tube.