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US 2012/0059210 A1Published application
Rotate-to-advance catheterization system
OwnerJames J. Frassicainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system of rotate-to-advance medical devices including catheters, dilators, occluders, stents, suprapubic catheters and camera introducers configured with external screw threads and depending substantially on rotation for means of advancement and emplacement in mammalian genitourinary and gastrointestinal passages and organs.
Claims11
A threaded introducer system for accessing a bodily passageway, said introducer system comprising:
- a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between said distal end and said proximal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end, said lumen being sized to receive an object to be transported through the bodily passageway;
- apparatus for connecting the object received within said lumen to said tube, said apparatus comprising a rotary coupling attached to said tube such that said rotary coupling may rotate freely about said longitudinal axis of said tube while being longitudinally fixed to said tube;
- and
- an external thread disposed over said distal end of said tube, said external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when said tube is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of said tube about said longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of said tube along said bodily passageway.
1 more element
A visualization system for traversing a bodily passageway, said system comprising:
- a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between said distal end and said proximal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end;
- visualization apparatus received in said lumen for visualizing structures disposed adjacent to said distal end of said tube, said visualization apparatus being attached to said tube such that the visualization apparatus may rotate freely about the longitudinal axis of said tube while being longitudinally fixed to said tube;
- and
- an external thread disposed over said distal end of said tube, said external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when said tube is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of said tube about said longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of said tube along said bodily passageway.
1 more element
Apparatus for effecting Brachytherapy, said apparatus comprising:
- an elongated element having a distal end and a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said distal end and said proximal end;
- radioactive material carried by elongated element;
- and
- an external thread disposed over said distal end of said elongated element, said external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when said elongated element is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of said elongated element about said longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of said elongated element along said bodily passageway.
1 more element
Apparatus for effecting therapy, said apparatus comprising:
- an elongated element having a distal end and a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said distal end and said proximal end;
- a therapeutic agent carried by elongated element;
- and
- an external thread disposed over said distal end of said elongated element, said external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when said elongated element is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of said elongated element about said longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of said elongated element along said bodily passageway.
1 more element
A conduit fitting for accessing a bodily conduit, said conduit fitting comprising:
- a body having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between said distal end and said proximal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end;
- an external thread disposed over said distal end of said body, said external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when said tube is disposed in the wall of a bodily conduit, rotation of said tube about said longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of said tube into said bodily conduit;
- and
- a flange disposed on said body proximal to said external thread, said flange being adapted to act as a stop to prevent further movement of said body into the bodily conduit when said flange contacts said wall of the bodily conduit.
1 more element
An access device for accessing a bodily conduit, said conduit fitting comprising:
- a body having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between said distal end and said proximal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end, said lumen being adapted to receive a gastrointestinal endoscope therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.