Isolating drainage catheter
AssigneeBioflow Limited
InventorJohn T. Moon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Aspects of this disclosure relate to catheter assemblies, that include an inner tube component, an outer tube component that fits over the inner tube component, and a disposable layer of film that isolates the otherwise fluid-exposed portions of the catheter from the fluid it drains. This disposable film can be removed at regular intervals and obviates the need for catheter exchanges as the isolating disposable film, rather than the catheter itself, is removed. The principal characteristic of the disposable film is that it is relatively impermeable to fluid, for example, bodily fluids.
Claims20
A catheter assembly comprising:
- an elongated outer tube component having a proximal end and a distal end;
- an elongated inner tube component having a proximal end and a distal end, and positioned within the elongated outer tube component;
- and
- an isolating medium positioned over the elongated inner tube component isolating at least the distal end of the elongated inner tube component from bodily fluids.
A method of introducing or removing a fluid from a body cavity, the method comprising:
- inserting a catheter assembly into a body cavity, the catheter assembly comprising:
- an outer tube component having a proximal end and a distal end;
- an inner tube component having a proximal end and a distal end, and positioned within the outer tube component;
- and
- an isolating medium positioned over the inner tube component isolating at least the distal end of the inner tube component from bodily fluids;
- withdrawing a bodily fluid from the body cavity;
- and
- removing the isolating medium from at least the distal end of the inner tube component.
An isolating medium for a catheter comprising:
- an elongated, flexible, tubular structure having an open first end and an open second end, opposing the first end, wherein the open first end is attachable to a catheter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.