# US 9,078,997 B2 · Catheter assembly including coiled internal bolster > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,078,997 B2 - Document ID: US9078997B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/079,954 - Filed: 2008-03-29 - Published: 2009-01-22 - Granted: 2015-07-14 - Earliest claimed: 2007-03-29 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Applicants: Changqing Li; Ken Brown; Alan Sundheimer; Boyd Colvin - Inventors: Changqing Li; Ken Brown; Alan Sundheimer; Boyd Colvin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9078997B2 ## CPC - A61M 25/04: in the body, e.g. expansible {(A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence)} - A61J 15/0023: {inserted by using a sheath} - A61J 15/0038: {expandable, e.g. umbrella type} - A61B 17/3415: {for introducing tubes or catheters, e.g. gastrostomy tubes, drain catheters (A61B17/3417 takes precedence; body piercing catheter guide needles A61M25/06)} - A61M 1/285: {Catheters therefor} - A61M 3/0225: {Devices on which the patient can sit, e.g. mounted on a toilet bowl (combined with bidets A61M3/06); Devices containing liquid pumped by the patient's weight} - A61M 25/0015: {Making lateral openings in a catheter tube, e.g. holes, slits, ports, piercings of guidewire ports; Methods for processing the holes, e.g. smoothing the edges} - A61M 25/0017: {specially adapted for long-term hygiene care, e.g. urethral or indwelling catheters to prevent infections} - A61M 25/0041: {pre-formed, e.g. specially adapted to fit with the anatomy of body channels (urethral catheters A61F2/04)} - A61M 27/008: {pre-shaped, for use in the urethral or ureteral tract} - A61M 2025/0063: {having means, e.g. stylets, mandrils, rods or wires to reinforce or adjust temporarily the stiffness, column strength or pushability of catheters which are already inserted into the human body} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A catheter assembly including a medical catheter and an internal bolster. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter is an elongated, tubular structure preferably made of a flexible, biocompatible material. The catheter is shaped to include a generally cylindrical wall terminating in a first end and in a second end, the wall coaxially surrounding and defining a longitudinal bore preferably used to convey fluids, such as food and/or medications, to a patient in need thereof. The internal bolster is an elongated, semi-tubular structure preferably made of a flexible, biocompatible material. The bolster is resiliently and reversibly transformable between a generally planar shape, when at rest, and a straightened shape, when forcibly unfurled. The bolster has an inner end and an outer end, the inner end being generally centrally located. The inner end of the bolster is insert-molded around the first end of the catheter, with the catheter and the bolster being oriented relative to one another so that the longitudinal axis of the catheter extends generally perpendicularly to the plane of the bolster in its coiled state, with the open, semi-tubular structure of the bolster facing away from the catheter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A catheter assembly comprising: (a) a catheter, the catheter having a distal end and a proximal end; (b) an internal bolster having a proximal end, a distal end, and a semi-tubular wall forming an open side, the proximal end of the internal bolster being disposed at directly connected to the distal end of the catheter, the internal bolster being resiliently and reversibly transformable between a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the internal bolster has a generally planar coiled shape, wherein the planar shape is generally perpendicular to the catheter, and the open side of the semi-tubular wall faces away from the catheter, and wherein in the second state the internal bolster is generally uncoiled and straight; and (c) an external bolster that engages the abdomen to prevent longitudinal movement of the catheter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the catheter and the internal bolster comprises a silicone rubber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the silicone rubber of the internal bolster has a higher durometer than the silicone rubber of the catheter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the internal bolster further comprises a resilient wire embedded in the silicone rubber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the resilient wire is made of a shape memory material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the shape memory material comprises a metal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the internal bolster further comprises a resilient wire embedded in the silicone rubber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the shape memory material comprises a polymer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal bolster includes one or more reinforcement ribs. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal bolster is insert-molded around the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the catheter is a feeding tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the catheter is a gastrostomy feeding tube. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal bolster extends beyond the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the distal end of the internal bolster extends beyond the distal end of the catheter in the second state. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the distal end of the catheter does not extend distally beyond the internal bolster. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the distal end of the internal bolster is open. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal bolster has a solid wall. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the open side faces distally. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the semi-tubular wall forms a semi-circle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The catheter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the open side is half the circumference of the tube. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A kit for use in implanting a catheter assembly in a patient, the kit comprising: (a) the catheter assembly of claim 1; and (b) a delivery device, the delivery device being a tubular member appropriately dimensioned to be inserted over the catheter assembly from the proximal end of the catheter and to uncoil the internal bolster.