Devices for clearing blockages in in-situ artificial lumens

A device for the breaking-apart of occlusions within a living being, comprising:

• a controller comprising an actuator for generating repetitive motion;
• a clearing member having a first end that is releasably coupled to the actuator and having a second working end that comes into repetitive contact with an occlusion, and
• wherein the clearing member comprises a flexible wire configured to be caused to reciprocate by the actuator's repetitive motion and a sheath configured to not be caused to reciprocate by the actuator's repetitive motion;
• wherein the clearing member further comprises, at its first end,
• a stationary fitting;
• a tube;
• and
• a second fitting configured to be caused to reciprocate by the actuator's repetitive motion;
• and wherein the wire passes through the tube and is coupled to the second fitting.

A device for the in situ clearing of blockages in artificial tubes completely or partially disposed within a living being, said device comprising:

• a controller that remains outside of the living being, said controller comprising an actuator for generating repetitive motion;
• and
• a clearing member having:
• a first end that is releasably coupled to the actuator,
• a second working end that is insertable into an opening in the artificial tube, said second working end having a portion that comes into repetitive contact with a blockage in the artificial tube for clearing the blockage therein, and
• a flexible material that permits said clearing member to make repetitive contact with the blockage while said clearing member is positioned within a straight portion or within a curved portion of the artificial tube,
• a stationary sheath, and
• a movable wire disposed within said stationary sheath, said wire having a first wire end that is coupled to said actuator and a second wire end that comprises a tip that contacts said blockage,
• wherein said controller comprises a displaceable diaphragm that seals a portion of a controller housing,
• wherein said actuator provides reciprocating motion to said clearing member that occurs along a longitudinal axis of the artificial tube and comprises a shaft having a first shaft end that is in contact with one side of said diaphragm, and
• wherein said first wire end is in contact with the other side of said diaphragm, said first shaft end and said first end of said movable wire being magnetically coupled together through said diaphragm.

A device for the in situ clearing of blockages in artificial tubes completely or partially disposed within a living being, said device comprising:

• a controller that remains outside of the living being, said controller comprising an actuator for generating repetitive motion;
• and
• a clearing member having:
• a first end that is releasably coupled to the actuator,
• a second working end that is insertable into an opening in the artificial tube, said second working end having a portion that comes into repetitive contact with a blockage in the artificial tube for clearing the blockage therein, and
• a flexible material that permits said clearing member to make repetitive contact with the blockage while said clearing member is positioned within a straight portion or within a curved portion of the artificial tube,
• a stationary sheath, and
• a movable wire disposed within said stationary sheath, said wire having a first wire end that is coupled to said actuator and a second wire end that comprises a tip that contacts said blockage, said tip comprising a tip compression spring that is coupled to a first end of a tip tubing having a second end that is open to permit an extreme tip end of said wire to extend out of, or be retracted within, said tip tubing,
• wherein said actuator provides reciprocating motion to said clearing member that occurs along a longitudinal axis of the artificial tube.

A device for the in situ clearing of blockages in artificial tubes completely or partially disposed within a living being, said device comprising:

• a controller that remains outside of the living being, said controller comprising an actuator for generating repetitive motion;
• and
• a clearing member having:
• a first end that is releasably coupled to the actuator,
• a second working end that is insertable into an opening in the artificial tube, said second working end having a portion that comes into repetitive contact with a blockage in the artificial tube for clearing the blockage therein, and
• a flexible material that permits said clearing member to make repetitive contact with the blockage while said clearing member is positioned within a straight portion or within a curved portion of the artificial tube,
• a stationary sheath comprising a first sheath end having a brush positioned thereat,
• a movable wire disposed within said stationary sheath, said wire having a first wire end that is coupled to said actuator and a second wire end that comprises a tip that contacts said blockage, and
• wherein said actuator provides reciprocating motion to said clearing member that occurs along a longitudinal axis of the artificial tube.