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US5372592A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and device for preparing catheters prior to use

Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Inc
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Filing: 1992-06-22
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Granted: 1994-12-13
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Expires: 2012-06-22
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Abstract

Abstract A flushing tool and method for safely flushing or lubricating a guidewire lumen of a catheter is provided, having a hollow elongate member dimensioned to be inserted into the guidewire lumen of a catheter; a luer fitting secured to the proximal end of the elongate member and in flow-through communication with the elongate member; and a clip, having a pair of fingers, transversely extending from the luer fitting. The distal end of the elongate member is inserted into the guidewire lumen of the catheter, while the clip is attached to several locations along the shaft of the catheter by inserting several portions the shaft of the catheter between the fingers of the clip. Alternatively, the clip may be attached to a container used to store the catheter, with the elongate member inserted through an aperture in the container and into the guidewire lumen of the catheter. An injection device containing a flushing/lubricating solution may then be connected to the luer fitting, so that the flushing/lubricating solution can be injected through the flushing tool and the guidewire lumen.

Inventors

  • 👤 Richard A. Gambale

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 07:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0043; A61M2025/0062; A61M25/01; A61M25/02; A61M2025/024

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim 160 words
A method of preparing a catheter having a guidewire lumen by safely flushing or lubricating the guidewire lumen using a device having an elongate member including a distal end and a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough; a luer member secured to said proximal end of said elongate member, said luer member having a central lumen in communication with said lumen of said elongate member; and a clip member having a pair of fingers, and extending transversely from the body of said luer member for facilitating the handling of the catheter; the method comprising the steps of: inserting said distal end of said elongate member into the guidewire lumen of the catheter; attaching said clip to the body of the catheter by inserting the catheter between said fingers of said clip; sealingly connecting an injection device containing a flushing solution to said luer member; and injecting said flushing solution through said flushing device and the guidewire lumen of the catheter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 160 words
A method of preparing a catheter having a guidewire lumen by safely flushing or lubricating the guidewire lumen using a device having an elongate member including a distal end and a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough; a luer member secured to said proximal end of said elongate member, said luer member having a central lumen in communication with said lumen of said elongate member; and a clip member having a pair of fingers, and extending transversely from the body of said luer member for facilitating the handling of the catheter; the method comprising the steps of: inserting said distal end of said elongate member into the guidewire lumen of the catheter; attaching said clip to the body of the catheter by inserting the catheter between said fingers of said clip; sealingly connecting an injection device containing a flushing solution to said luer member; and injecting said flushing solution through said flushing device and the guidewire lumen of the catheter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of inserting a plurality of portions of the catheter between said fingers of said clip to further facilitate the handling of the catheter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of detaching and removing said flushing device from the catheter after flushing or lubricating the guidewire lumen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 46 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said clip member, said luer member and said elongate member are configured such that said elongate member is disposed at an angle relative to said guidewire lumen when said clip member is attached to the body of the catheter.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 183 words
A method of preparing a monorail catheter, while stored in a container having an aperture, by safely flushing or lubricating the guidewire lumen of the catheter using a device having an elongate member including a distal end and a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough; a luer member secured to said proximal end of said elongate member, said luer member having a central lumen in communication with said lumen of said elongate member; and a clip member having a pair of fingers, and extending transversely from said luer member for facilitating the handling of said catheter; the method comprising the steps of: providing said catheter with said distal end of said elongate member inserted through the aperture in said container and into said guidewire lumen of said catheter, and said clip attached to said container, wherein said container is inserted between said fingers of said clip; sealingly connecting an injection device containing a flushing or lubricating solution to said luer member; and injecting said flushing or lubricating solution through said flushing device and said guidewire lumen, thereby cleansing and lubricating said guidewire lumen.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 183 words
A method of preparing a monorail catheter, while stored in a container having an aperture, by safely flushing or lubricating the guidewire lumen of the catheter using a device having an elongate member including a distal end and a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough; a luer member secured to said proximal end of said elongate member, said luer member having a central lumen in communication with said lumen of said elongate member; and a clip member having a pair of fingers, and extending transversely from said luer member for facilitating the handling of said catheter; the method comprising the steps of: providing said catheter with said distal end of said elongate member inserted through the aperture in said container and into said guidewire lumen of said catheter, and said clip attached to said container, wherein said container is inserted between said fingers of said clip; sealingly connecting an injection device containing a flushing or lubricating solution to said luer member; and injecting said flushing or lubricating solution through said flushing device and said guidewire lumen, thereby cleansing and lubricating said guidewire lumen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 70 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said clip member, said luer member and said elongate member are arranged such that said elongate member is disposed within the guidewire lumen, and at an angle relative to the guidewire lumen of the catheter when said clip member is coupled to the container storing the catheter, for allowing the connection of an injection device without interference from the container or the catheter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 171 words
A catheter assembly comprising a catheter member having an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a guidewire lumen disposed in the distal end of the shaft, said guidewire lumen including a distal port and a proximal port by which the guidewire lumen communicates with the exterior of the catheter shaft; an elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough; an elongated flushing member having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending between the ends of the flushing member, the distal end of said flushing member being disposed in said guidewire lumen; a fitting member engaged with the proximal end of said flushing member and having a lumen communicating with said flushing member lumen, said fitting including an adapter for receiving a source of flushing fluid; and a clip member attached to said fitting member and engaging at least one portion of said catheter for maintaining the distal end of said flushing member in said guidewire lumen of the catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 171 words
A catheter assembly comprising a catheter member having an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a guidewire lumen disposed in the distal end of the shaft, said guidewire lumen including a distal port and a proximal port by which the guidewire lumen communicates with the exterior of the catheter shaft; an elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough; an elongated flushing member having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending between the ends of the flushing member, the distal end of said flushing member being disposed in said guidewire lumen; a fitting member engaged with the proximal end of said flushing member and having a lumen communicating with said flushing member lumen, said fitting including an adapter for receiving a source of flushing fluid; and a clip member attached to said fitting member and engaging at least one portion of said catheter for maintaining the distal end of said flushing member in said guidewire lumen of the catheter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 21 words
A catheter assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said flushing member is disposed at an angle relative to the catheter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 18 words
A catheter assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said angle is in the range of about 5°-15°.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 19 words
An assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said clip member engages said catheter in a plurality of locations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 199 words
A catheter assembly comprising a balloon storage member having a proximal end and a distal end and a slot disposed at the distal end thereof; a catheter member disposed in said storage member, said catheter member having; an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a guidewire lumen disposed in the distal end of the shaft, said guidewire lumen including a distal port and a proximal port by which the guidewire lumen communicates with the exterior of the catheter and the slot of said storage member; an elongated flushing member having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending between said flushing member proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said flushing member being disposed through said storage member slot and into said guidewire lumen; a fitting member engaged with the proximal end of said flushing member and having a lumen communicating with said flushing member lumen, said fitting including an adapter for receiving a source of flushing fluid; and a clip member attached to said fitting member and engaging at least one portion of said storage member for maintaining the distal end of said flushing member in the guidewire lumen of said catheter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 199 words
A catheter assembly comprising a balloon storage member having a proximal end and a distal end and a slot disposed at the distal end thereof; a catheter member disposed in said storage member, said catheter member having; an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a guidewire lumen disposed in the distal end of the shaft, said guidewire lumen including a distal port and a proximal port by which the guidewire lumen communicates with the exterior of the catheter and the slot of said storage member; an elongated flushing member having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending between said flushing member proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said flushing member being disposed through said storage member slot and into said guidewire lumen; a fitting member engaged with the proximal end of said flushing member and having a lumen communicating with said flushing member lumen, said fitting including an adapter for receiving a source of flushing fluid; and a clip member attached to said fitting member and engaging at least one portion of said storage member for maintaining the distal end of said flushing member in the guidewire lumen of said catheter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 23 words
An assembly as in claim 11 wherein said flushing member is disposed at an angle relative to the distal end of the catheter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 16 words
An assembly as in claim 12 wherein said angle is in the range of about 5°-15°.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 28 words
An assembly as in claim 13 wherein said storage member is coiled in configuration and wherein said clip member engages said storage member in a plurality of locations.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-12-12 1998-06-13 1998-12-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-12-12 2002-06-13 2002-12-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-12-12 2006-06-13 2006-12-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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