Lymph access catheters and methods of administration
AssigneeAutomedix Sciences, Inc.
InventorRobert Murtfeldt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for accessing either the thoracic duct or the right lymphatic duct for removal of lymph fluids from the human body without the necessity of general surgery. The apparatus of the invention is provided with different forms of lymph fluid collection tips to enable collection of lymph fluid from patients whose lymph ducts terminate as single vessels as well as from patients whose lymph ducts terminate as many small vessels.
Claims20
A device for accessing a selected one of the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct to withdraw lymph fluid therefrom, comprising:
- (a) an elongated tubular member having first and second ends said tubular member having a lymph fluid drainage port located proximate said second end;
- (b) guide means slidably receivable within said tubular member for controllably orienting said first end thereof;
- and
- (c) lymph fluid collection and flow directing means slidably receivable within and disposed proximate said first end of said tubular member for collecting lymph fluid from a location proximate the termination of one of the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct and for directing the flow of the lymph fluid toward said fluid drainage port.
A device for selectively accessing the veins disposed at one of the termination of the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct, comprising:
- (a) An elongated outer tubular member having first and second ends and including a wall portion and an axially extending first central passageway, said wall portion having a second passageway extending the length thereof;
- (b) guide means receivable said second passageway for guiding the path of travel of said first end of said outer tubular member;
- (c) an elongated inner tubular member having first and second ends, said inner tubular member being slidably receivable within said axially extending first central passageway of said elongated outer tubular member;
- and
- (d) lymph fluid collection means connected to said inner tubular member proximate said first end thereof for surrounding the veins disposed at the termination of one of the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct.
A method for accessing a selected one of the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct to remove lymph fluid therefrom using a catheter of the character having at least two lumens;
- a fluid inlet tip portion in communication with one of said lumens;
- guide means receivable within one of said lumens for controllable positions the fluid inlet tip portion thereof;
- and lymph fluid collection means disposed proximate the fluid inlet tip portion for collecting the lymph fluid, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) inserting the catheter into selected one of the subclavian vein and internal jugular vein;
- (b) using said guide means and appropriate imaging techniques, positioning said inlet tip portion of the catheter at a location proximate the selected said duct opening;
- (c) removably affixing said inlet tip portion of the catheter proximate to the duct opening;
- and
- (d) controllably removing lymph fluid from the duct.
A device for accessing a selected one of the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct, comprising:
- (a) an elongated tubular member having first and second ends:
- (b) guide means slidably receivable within said tubular member for controllably orienting said first end thereof;
- and
- (c) lymph fluid collection means slidably receivable within and disposed proximate said first end of said tubular member for collecting lymph fluid from a location proximate the termination of one of the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct, said collection means comprising:
- (i) a second elongated tubular member slidably receivable within said tubular member, said second elongated tubular member having first and second ends;
- and
- (ii) an expander means connected proximate said first end of said elongated inner tubular member for fixation around ductile openings disposed at the termination of a selected one of the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.