Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An implantable device for providing a circumferential bacterial seal and sutureless tissue fixation to a percutaneous conduit of known outside diameter, comprising a distensible elastomeric sleeve having a relaxed inside diameter smaller than said known diameter, and having sufficient resiliency to enable forcible expansion of the inside diameter so the sleeve can be moved along the conduit into an implanted intracorporeal position beneath a skin exit site at any desired longitudinal position along the conduit, the resiliency of the sleeve providing a restoring force sufficient to place the sleeve in frictional gripping contact with the conduit at said position when the expanding force is removed, the sleeve being formed of a tissue-compatible material and having an outer surface which promotes tissue ingrowth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An implantable device for providing a circumferential bacterial seal and sutureless tissue fixation to a percutaneous conduit of known outside diameter, comprising a distensible elastomeric sleeve having a relaxed inside diameter smaller than said known diameter, and having sufficient resiliency to enable forcible expansion of the inside diameter so the sleeve can be moved along the conduit into an implanted intracorporeal position beneath a skin exit site at any desired longitudinal position along the conduit, the resiliency of the sleeve providing a restoring force sufficient to place the sleeve in frictional gripping contact with the conduit at said position when the expanding force is removed, the sleeve being formed of a tissue-compatible material and having an outer surface which promotes tissue ingrowth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the surface of the sleeve has been impregnated with a substance having antibacterial properties.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 wherein only a portion of the circumference of the sleeve is distensible.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the circumference of the sleeve is incomplete.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
the device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is formed as a helical coil to be wound around the conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the tissue-ingrowth-promoting surface of the sleeve is provided by a material secured to the sleeve outer surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the tissue-ingrowth material is impregnated with a substance having antibacterial properties.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 7 wherein the material attached to the outer surface of the sleeve is selected from the group consisting of velour, felt, foam, sponge, collagen, polylactic acid, polyamino acid, and polypeptide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the sleeve contacting the percutaneous conduit contains an antimicrobial agent, combined with a sleeve clamping force that allows limited motion of the percutaneous conduit, thereby inactivating bacteria on the outer surface of the perctaneous conduit as it passes through the sleeve to provide an aseptic sliding seal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for establishing a percutaneous tissue interface on a percutaneously inserted conduit comprising the steps of: dilating a distensible elastomeric sleeve; slipping the elastomeric sleeve over the conduit; moving the sleeve to a subcutaneous position on the conduit with respect to the conduit intracorporeal and extracorporeal ends; and allowing the sleeve to return toward its nondistended diameter to be frictionally clamped to the conduit beneath the skin exit site of the conduit.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for establishing a percutaneous tissue interface on a percutaneously inserted conduit comprising the steps of: dilating a distensible elastomeric sleeve; slipping the elastomeric sleeve over the conduit; moving the sleeve to a subcutaneous position on the conduit with respect to the conduit intracorporeal and extracorporeal ends; and allowing the sleeve to return toward its nondistended diameter to be frictionally clamped to the conduit beneath the skin exit site of the conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the sleeve is positioned so as to lie beneath the dermis of the skin but superficial with respect to the subcutaneous fat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
The combination comprising a percutaneously inserted conduit having an intracorporeal portion extending beneath a skin exit site, and an elastomeric sleeve in resiliently gripping engagement around the intracorporeal portion of the conduit and resisting longitudinal movement along the conduit, the sleeve being sufficiently elastic to enable forced dilation so the sleeve can be enlarged in inside diameter and slipped along the conduit to a desired subcutaneous position after conduit implantation, the sleeve having an outer surface which promotes tissue ingrowth.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
The combination comprising a percutaneously inserted conduit having an intracorporeal portion extending beneath a skin exit site, and an elastomeric sleeve in resiliently gripping engagement around the intracorporeal portion of the conduit and resisting longitudinal movement along the conduit, the sleeve being sufficiently elastic to enable forced dilation so the sleeve can be enlarged in inside diameter and slipped along the conduit to a desired subcutaneous position after conduit implantation, the sleeve having an outer surface which promotes tissue ingrowth.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the tissue ingrowth material is a dry, compressed water-absorbing sponge, such that absorption of fluids after implantation swells the diameter of the sponge to provide rapid mechanical fixation and bacterial sealing of the skin incision.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the tissue ingrowth material is comprised of cross-linked collagen sponge.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the tissue ingrowth material contains an antimicrobial agent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
120 words
An implantable device for fixation of an implanted percutaneous conduit such as a catheter and having a known outside diameter, the device comprising: a distensible elastomeric sleeve having tapered ends and an annular recess between the ends, the sleeve having a relaxed inside diameter smaller than the conduit outside diameter, and having sufficient resiliency to enable forcible sleeve dilation so the sleeve can be moved along the conduit to an implanted intracorporeal position beneath a skin exit site of the conduit, the resiliency of the sleeve providing a restoring force sufficient to place the sleeve in frictional gripping contact with the conduit when the expanding force is removed, and a tissue ingrowth material positioned around the sleeve in the recess.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
120 words
An implantable device for fixation of an implanted percutaneous conduit such as a catheter and having a known outside diameter, the device comprising: a distensible elastomeric sleeve having tapered ends and an annular recess between the ends, the sleeve having a relaxed inside diameter smaller than the conduit outside diameter, and having sufficient resiliency to enable forcible sleeve dilation so the sleeve can be moved along the conduit to an implanted intracorporeal position beneath a skin exit site of the conduit, the resiliency of the sleeve providing a restoring force sufficient to place the sleeve in frictional gripping contact with the conduit when the expanding force is removed, and a tissue ingrowth material positioned around the sleeve in the recess.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device defined in claim 16 wherein the tissue ingrowth material is a dry, compressed water-absorbing sponge, such that absorption of fluids after implantation swells the diameter of the sponge to provide rapid mechanical fixation and bacterial sealing of the skin incision.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device defined in claim 16 wherein the tissue ingrowth material is a sponge.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device defined in claim 18 wherein the sponge is made of collagen which incorporates an antimicrobial material.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
31 words
The device defined in claims 19 wherein said frictional gripping contact is sufficient to prevent relative movement of the device and conduit responsive to axial forces up to about one pound.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device defined in claim 19 wherein an inner surface of the sleeve which contacts the conduit incorporates an antimicrobial material.