Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A medical device comprising: an elongated member for insertion into a body and having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending longitudinally therebetween, said proximal end having a recess therein, said distal end being formed to be positioned into a predetermined configuration; an elongated sleeve having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending therebetween, said proximal end of said elongated member being positioned and longitudinally moveable within said sleeve passageway, said sleeve having a projection extending into said sleeve passageway about said distal end thereof and engageable with said recess to position longitudinally said sleeve relative to said elongated member; and a flexible tension member extending along said elongated member and said sleeve, fixedly positioned about said proximal end of said sleeve, and positioned and drawable about said distal end of said elongated member to position said distal end of said elongated member into said predetermined configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A medical device comprising: an elongated member for insertion into a body and having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending longitudinally therebetween, said proximal end having a recess therein, said distal end being formed to be positioned into a predetermined configuration; an elongated sleeve having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending therebetween, said proximal end of said elongated member being positioned and longitudinally moveable within said sleeve passageway, said sleeve having a projection extending into said sleeve passageway about said distal end thereof and engageable with said recess to position longitudinally said sleeve relative to said elongated member; and a flexible tension member extending along said elongated member and said sleeve, fixedly positioned about said proximal end of said sleeve, and positioned and drawable about said distal end of said elongated member to position said distal end of said elongated member into said predetermined configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The medical device of claim 1 further comprising a collar including said recess and positioned about said proximal end of said elongated member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medical device of claim 2 wherein said recess in said collar comprises an annular channel extending circumferentially in an outer surface of said collar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The medical device of claim 3 wherein said projection comprises an annular ridge extending into said sleeve passageway about said distal end thereof and sized to fit tightly in said annular channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The medical device of claim 3 wherein said projection comprises an annular step at said distal end of said sleeve sized to snap fit into said annular channel and having an opening therein having a dimension less than a maximum outside dimension of said collar in said annular channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The medical device of claim 1 further comprising a connector positioned about said proximal end of said sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein said elongated member includes a plurality of ports about said distal end thereof, said flexible member extending in said passageway of said elongated member and external thereto between first and second of said ports and drawable with said sleeve to position said distal end of said elongated member into said predetermined configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a catheter including a flexible elongated member having a distal end, a proximal end, a passageway extending longitudinally between said ends, and first and second draw ports positioned about said distal end and also including a flexible tension member passing through at least one of said draw ports or, alternatively, attached about said distal end and drawable to position said distal end of said elongated member into a predetermined configuration; the improvement comprising: a lockable sleeve having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway therebetween, said proximal end of said elongated member being movable within said passageway of said sleeve, said flexible tension member extending through said passageway of said elongated member and said sleeve and being attached to said sleeve; a recess positioned about a proximal end of said elongated member and engageable with a projection received therein to longitudinally position said elongated member relative to said sleeve; and said sleeve also including said projection positioned about said distal end and extending radially in said passageway thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a catheter including a flexible elongated member having a distal end, a proximal end, a passageway extending longitudinally between said ends, and first and second draw ports positioned about said distal end and also including a flexible tension member passing through at least one of said draw ports or, alternatively, attached about said distal end and drawable to position said distal end of said elongated member into a predetermined configuration; the improvement comprising: a lockable sleeve having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway therebetween, said proximal end of said elongated member being movable within said passageway of said sleeve, said flexible tension member extending through said passageway of said elongated member and said sleeve and being attached to said sleeve; a recess positioned about a proximal end of said elongated member and engageable with a projection received therein to longitudinally position said elongated member relative to said sleeve; and said sleeve also including said projection positioned about said distal end and extending radially in said passageway thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The catheter of claim 8 wherein said improvement further comprises a collar positioned about said proximal end of said elongated member and including said recess therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The catheter of claim 8 wherein said recess comprises a groove positioned circumferentially around said collar.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 10 wherein said projection comprises an annular ridge sized to tightly fit within said groove.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
201 words
A drainage catheter comprising: a flexible elongated member for insertion into a body of a patient and having a distal end, a proximal end, and a hollow passageway extending longitudinally therebetween, said distal end being formed to be positioned into a predetermined configuration and having a plurality of side ports including first and second draw ports; a collar positioned about said proximal end of said elongated member and having an annular recess extending circumferentially in an outer surface thereof; a lockable sleeve having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending therebetween, said proximal end forming an annular step extending into said sleeve passageway and engageable with said annular recess to position longitudinally said sleeve relative to said elongated member, said annular step being sized to fit tightly in said annular recess; and a flexible tension member extending through said passageway of said elongated member and said sleeve and said first and second draw ports and also exterior to elongated member between said first and second draw ports, fixedly positioned about said proximal end of said sleeve and drawable through said first and second draw ports to position said distal end of said elongated member in said predetermined configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
201 words
A drainage catheter comprising: a flexible elongated member for insertion into a body of a patient and having a distal end, a proximal end, and a hollow passageway extending longitudinally therebetween, said distal end being formed to be positioned into a predetermined configuration and having a plurality of side ports including first and second draw ports; a collar positioned about said proximal end of said elongated member and having an annular recess extending circumferentially in an outer surface thereof; a lockable sleeve having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending therebetween, said proximal end forming an annular step extending into said sleeve passageway and engageable with said annular recess to position longitudinally said sleeve relative to said elongated member, said annular step being sized to fit tightly in said annular recess; and a flexible tension member extending through said passageway of said elongated member and said sleeve and said first and second draw ports and also exterior to elongated member between said first and second draw ports, fixedly positioned about said proximal end of said sleeve and drawable through said first and second draw ports to position said distal end of said elongated member in said predetermined configuration.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
193 words
The method of percutaneously draining fluid from a cavity of a patient with a medical device comprising an elongated member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending longitudinally therebetween, at least the distal end being for insertion, into the cavity of the patient; and means extending between the distal and proximal ends and drawable to reconfigure the distal end into a desired configuration; the device further comprising an elongated sleeve having distal and proximal ends with a passageway therebetween, the sleeve being positioned about and longitudinally moveable with respect to and adjacent to the proximal end of the elongated member; the drawable means being attached to the sleeve; and the elongated member within the sleeve and the interior of the sleeve having cooperating parts associated therewith for engaging the sleeve and the elongated member together when moved relative to one another to an engaging or interlocking position, comprising the steps of: percutaneously inserting the distal end of the elongated member into the cavity of the patient; moving the sleeve relative to the elongated member to the engaging or interlocking position; and connecting the sleeve to a fluid collection system.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
193 words
The method of percutaneously draining fluid from a cavity of a patient with a medical device comprising an elongated member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending longitudinally therebetween, at least the distal end being for insertion, into the cavity of the patient; and means extending between the distal and proximal ends and drawable to reconfigure the distal end into a desired configuration; the device further comprising an elongated sleeve having distal and proximal ends with a passageway therebetween, the sleeve being positioned about and longitudinally moveable with respect to and adjacent to the proximal end of the elongated member; the drawable means being attached to the sleeve; and the elongated member within the sleeve and the interior of the sleeve having cooperating parts associated therewith for engaging the sleeve and the elongated member together when moved relative to one another to an engaging or interlocking position, comprising the steps of: percutaneously inserting the distal end of the elongated member into the cavity of the patient; moving the sleeve relative to the elongated member to the engaging or interlocking position; and connecting the sleeve to a fluid collection system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of reconfiguring the distal end of the elongated member to the desired configuration.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of reconfiguring includes drawing the drawable means in cooperation with moving the sleeve relative to the elongated member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of engaging the cooperating parts of the sleeve and the elongated member to the engaging or interlocking position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of forming a fluid-tight seal between the sleeve and the elongated member when the cooperating parts of the sleeve and the elongated member are in the engaging or interlocking position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
144 words
A medical device comprising an elongated member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending longitudinally therebetween, at least the distal end being for insertion into a patient; and means extending between the distal and proximal ends and positioned and drawable to reconfigure the distal end into a desired configuration; characterized in that the device further comprises an elongated sleeve having distal and proximal ends with a passageway therebetween, the sleeve being positioned about and longitudinally moveable with respect to and adjacent to the proximal end of the elongated member; in that the drawable means is attached to the sleeve; and in that the elongated member within the sleeve and the interior of the sleeve have cooperating parts associated therewith for engaging the sleeve and the elongated member together when moved relative to one another to an engaging or interlocking position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
144 words
A medical device comprising an elongated member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending longitudinally therebetween, at least the distal end being for insertion into a patient; and means extending between the distal and proximal ends and positioned and drawable to reconfigure the distal end into a desired configuration; characterized in that the device further comprises an elongated sleeve having distal and proximal ends with a passageway therebetween, the sleeve being positioned about and longitudinally moveable with respect to and adjacent to the proximal end of the elongated member; in that the drawable means is attached to the sleeve; and in that the elongated member within the sleeve and the interior of the sleeve have cooperating parts associated therewith for engaging the sleeve and the elongated member together when moved relative to one another to an engaging or interlocking position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device according to claim 18, characterized in that means are provided for clamping the drawable member relative to the proximal end of the sleeve; and in that the relative movement of the distal end of the sleeve towards the proximal end of the elongated member causes the drawable means to reconfigure the distal end of the elongated member into the desired configuration.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
60 words
A device according to claim 18, characterized in that the cooperating parts comprise an annular ridge on the interior surface of the sleeve, and a cooperating recess associated with the exterior surface of the longitudinal member, the relative movement required to bring the ridge and the recess into cooperative engagement serving to provide the required movement of the drawable means.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of locating part of a medical device in a patient, said method comprising the steps of inserting at least the distal end of an elongated member in a cavity of the patient, and applying tension to a drawable member extending along the elongated member in order to reconfigure the distal end into a desired configuration thereby locking the distal end within the cavity, characterized in that the proximal end of the drawable member is attached to a sleeve longitudinally slidably positioned about the proximal end of the elongated member, and in that the tension is applied by moving the sleeve relative to the elongated member to a position in which the sleeve and elongated member engage or interlock.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of locating part of a medical device in a patient, said method comprising the steps of inserting at least the distal end of an elongated member in a cavity of the patient, and applying tension to a drawable member extending along the elongated member in order to reconfigure the distal end into a desired configuration thereby locking the distal end within the cavity, characterized in that the proximal end of the drawable member is attached to a sleeve longitudinally slidably positioned about the proximal end of the elongated member, and in that the tension is applied by moving the sleeve relative to the elongated member to a position in which the sleeve and elongated member engage or interlock.