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US 7,681,576 B2Granted
Multiple cannula systems and methods
AssigneeMallinckrodt Inc.
InventorsRalph Thomas, Luigi Tateo, Duane L. Horton, Steven M. Brackney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The preferred embodiments provide, e.g., a high quality flexible tracheostomy tube assembly including an outer tracheostomy cannula and a disposable, flexible inner cannula. In preferred embodiments, the product provides a single patient use, sterile device.
Claims20
A multiple cannula assembly for insertion into a patient, comprising:
- a) a flexible outer cannula having a head including a connector and at least one ridge and at least one stop portion, said outer cannula having a substantially rigid tip including a stepped portion configured to reduce an outward bulge of a cuff;
- b) a flexible inner cannula having a hub including at least one protrusion engageable with said at least one ridge of said outer cannula head;
- c) said inner cannula being longitudinally insertable into said outer cannula to an insertion position in which said inner cannula hub is positioned at least partially within said outer cannula head;
- and
- d) said inner cannula hub being rotatable relative to said outer cannula head in a locking direction from said insertion position to a locked position in which said at least one protrusion of said hub is engaged with said at least one ridge of said head, said at least one stop portion inhibiting rotation of said inner cannula hub in said locking direction beyond said locked position of said inner cannula hub.
2 more elements
A multiple cannula assembly for insertion into a patient, comprising:
- a) a flexible outer cannula having a head including a connector and at least one ridge, said outer cannula having a substantially rigid tip including a stepped portion configured to reduce an outward bulge of a cuff;
- b) a flexible inner cannula having a hub including at least one protrusion engageable with said at least one ridge of said outer cannula head, wherein said inner cannula comprises a material having fibers oriented along a length of said inner cannula and nodes around a circumference of said inner cannula;
- c) said inner cannula being longitudinally insertable into said outer cannula to an insertion position in which said inner cannula hub is positioned at least partially within said outer cannula head;
- and
- d) said inner cannula hub being rotatable relative to said outer cannula head from said insertion position to a locked position in which said at least one protrusion of said hub is engaged with said at least one ridge of said head.
2 more elements
A method for using an insertable multiple cannula assembly, the method comprising:
- positioning a flexible inner cannula in an insertion position within a flexible outer cannula such that a hub of said inner cannula is positioned at least partially within a head of said outer cannula, said outer cannula having a substantially rigid tip including a stepped portion;
- rotating said hub of said inner cannula relative to said head of said outer cannula in a locking direction from said insertion position to a locked position in which at least one protrusion of said hub is engaged with at least one ridge of said head, wherein at least one stop portion inhibits rotation of said inner cannula hub in said locking direction beyond said locked position of said inner cannula hub;
- and
- inflating a cuff coupled to said outer cannula, wherein the stepped portion of the outer cannula tip reduces an outward bulge of the inflated cuff.
1 more element
An outer cannula for use in a multiple cannula assembly for insertion into a patient, the outer cannula comprising:
- a flexible body;
- an inflatable cuff having at least one end secured to the flexible body;
- and
- a substantially rigid tip coupled to the flexible body portion, the substantially rigid tip including a stepped portion configured to reduce an outward bulge of the inflatable cuff.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.