Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An elongate catheter of one piece construction for draining fluid from or supplying fluid to an environment comprising: a drain segment of substantially constant cross section throughout its length having plural elongate fluid openings in the form of grooves extending throughout the length of the sidewall thereof, said openings spaced circumferentially from one another; a second transition segment with closed sidewalls in fluid communication with said elongate openings of said drain segment, having an perimeter size, in cross section, substantially the same as that of said drain segment, but having an interior cross section different from that of said drain segment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
An elongate catheter of one piece construction for draining fluid from or supplying fluid to an environment comprising: a drain segment of substantially constant cross section throughout its length having plural elongate fluid openings in the form of grooves extending throughout the length of the sidewall thereof, said openings spaced circumferentially from one another; a second transition segment with closed sidewalls in fluid communication with said elongate openings of said drain segment, having an perimeter size, in cross section, substantially the same as that of said drain segment, but having an interior cross section different from that of said drain segment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A catheter, as defined in claim 1, wherein said drain segment of said elongate catheter comprises: a core portion having a longitudinal axis; and plural T-shaped members projecting therefrom to define between said T-shaped members said plural fluid openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A catheter, as defined in claim 1, wherein said second transition segment of said elongate catheter comprises: a core portion having a longitudinal axis; plural strut portions projecting from said core portion; and a tubular portion connected on its inner surface to the outer ends of said plural strut portions to define plural longitudinal lumens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The catheter defined in claim 1, wherein: a first fraction of said elongate catheter is formed of radiopaque material; and a second fraction of said elongate catheter is formed of translucent material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The catheter defined in claim 4, wherein: said first fraction comprises a portion of said drain segment of said elongate member; and said second fraction comprises a portion of said second segment of said elongate member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A catheter, as defined in claim 1, wherein said drain segment of said elongate catheter comprises: a central core portion; and plural curved outer portions, said outer portions fitting around, and connecting with, a substantial portion, but less than all, of the circumference of the outer surface of said core portion, a gap between the edges of said outer portions defining said fluid openings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A catheter, as defined in claim 6, wherein said second segment comprises: a first length of said elongate catheter comprising: a cylindrical outer wall surrounding plural longitudinal channels, said channels communicating with said fluid openings of said drain segment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A catheter, as defined in claim 7, wherein said second segment additionally comprises: a second length of said elongate catheter comprising a tubular portion having a single central longitudinal cavity, said cavity in communication with said plural longitudinal channels of said first length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A catheter, as defined in claim 1, wherein said unitary elongate catheter additionally comprises a third segment in fluid communication with said second segment and having a different cross section from said second segment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A catheter, as defined in claim 9, wherein said third segment comprises: a third length of said elongate catheter comprising a tubular portion having a single central longitudinal cavity, said cavity communicating with said second segment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A catheter, as defined in claim 1, wherein said unitary elongate catheter is formed of a flexible silicone material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A catheter, as defined in claim 1, wherein said unitary elongate catheter is formed of a material having a durometer shore of from 40 to 70 shore A.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of drawing fluid from, or supplying medication to, a wound, comprising: providing a unitary elongate resilient elastomeric member having a constant outside diameter, said member comprising: a drain segment; and a second transition segment with closed sidewalls in fluid communication with said drain segment having a different cross section from said drain segment; placing said drain segment and at least a portion of said second transition segment in said wound; connecting said second segment to a fluid reservoir; and removing said drain segment from said wound by applying a tensile force to said elongate member, causing said drain segment and said second transition segment portion to decrease in cross sectional area to reduce the gripping force of the tissue surrounding the member.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of drawing fluid from, or supplying medication to, a wound, comprising: providing a unitary elongate resilient elastomeric member having a constant outside diameter, said member comprising: a drain segment; and a second transition segment with closed sidewalls in fluid communication with said drain segment having a different cross section from said drain segment; placing said drain segment and at least a portion of said second transition segment in said wound; connecting said second segment to a fluid reservoir; and removing said drain segment from said wound by applying a tensile force to said elongate member, causing said drain segment and said second transition segment portion to decrease in cross sectional area to reduce the gripping force of the tissue surrounding the member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method defined in claim 13, additionally comprising the step of closing said wound after placing said drain segment in said wound to seal said wound from the atmosphere.