Device and Method to Control and Manipulate a Catheter
AssigneeHealoe LLC
InventorNeal M. Lonky
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In various embodiments of the invention, a manipulator attaches to and allows a sheath to be positioned inside the cervix and a catheter to thereby be inserted through the sheath and be positioned in a desired location in the uterus. In various embodiments of the invention, the manipulator may be attached or permanently connected to the sheath. In various embodiments of the invention, the sheath is fenestrated to allow the catheter to be detached from the sheath. In various embodiments of the invention, the manipulator allows the sheath to be positioned through the cervix canal to allow for catheter transmitted intrauterine pressure monitoring or balloon catheter assisted ripening of the cervix.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- a) receiving a sheath including a proximal end, a distal end and a manipulator adapted to allow a gloved finger to be connected to the manipulator, where the manipulator is positioned at the proximal end;
- b) inserting the proximal end into a cervix of a uterus;
- c) associating the gloved finger with the manipulator;
- d) inserting through the distal end a catheter which exits at the proximal end into one or both the cervix and the uterus;
- and
- e) positioning the catheter in the cervix and uterus by adjusting one or both the catheter and the position of the proximal end with the manipulator.
A method comprising:
- a) receiving a sheath with a proximal end and a distal end and a manipulator attached to the sheath towards the proximal end;
- b) using a glove to engage the manipulator to position the proximal end of the sheath in a cervix;
- c) using the manipulator to locate the proximal end of the sheath in one of the upper cervical region and the lower uterine segment adjacent to a fetal presenting part;
- and
- d) inserting a catheter through the distal end of the sheath into one of the upper cervical region and the lower uterine segment.
A device for positioning a catheter antepartum through a cervix into a uterus comprising:
- a fenestrated sheath with a proximal end and a distal end, where the fenestrated sheath is hollow and sized to allow a catheter to be inserted through the fenestrated sheath and thereby through the cervix of a uterus;
- and
- a fenestrated manipulator adapted to detachably attach to the fenestrated sheath, where the fenestrated manipulator is adapted to position the catheter inside the uterus, where the fenestrated manipulator is adapted to align with the fenestrated sheath to allow the distal end and the fenestrated manipulator to be peeled from around the catheter outside the cervix to remove the fenestrated sheath from the catheter outside the cervix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.