Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A gastrostomy tube removal device comprising, combination with a gastrostomy tube having a retention means; a. a hollow, rigid, substantially cylindrical body portion with a first proximal open end and a second distal open end, b. a tapered, substantially conical portion of said body formed at said proximal end that is adapted to receive gastrostomy tube exiting a patient's body; and c. a moveable semi-rigid sheath that is flush with and covers a substantial portion of the remainder of said cylindrical body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A gastrostomy tube removal device comprising, combination with a gastrostomy tube having a retention means; a. a hollow, rigid, substantially cylindrical body portion with a first proximal open end and a second distal open end, b. a tapered, substantially conical portion of said body formed at said proximal end that is adapted to receive gastrostomy tube exiting a patient's body; and c. a moveable semi-rigid sheath that is flush with and covers a substantial portion of the remainder of said cylindrical body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The removal device of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical hollow body is adapted to be pulled over the tube until said conical portion of said body contacts at least one radially extending member of a retention means of the gastrostomy tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The removal device of claim 2 wherein said semi-rigid sheath is moveable over said conical portion of the cylindrical body so as to contact and collapse the at least one extending member of said retention means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The removal device of claim 3 wherein said semi-rigid sheath further comprises a lip or knob formed at the distal end thereof that intercepts and locks with a ribbed flange about the middle of said cylindrical body as the retention means is collapsed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
179 words
A gastrostomy tube removal device comprising, for use in combination with a gastrostomy tube having a retention means with at least one extending member, a. a hollow, rigid substantially cylindrical body with a first proximal open end and a second distal open end, and; b. a tapered, substantially conical portion formed at said proximal open end of the body that is adapted to receive said gastrostomy tube exiting a patients body; c. a semi-rigid sheath that is moveable over the conical portion of the cylindrical body so as to contact and collapse at least one extending member of a retention means of said gastrostomy tube so that said retention means is collapsed and said gastrostomy tube is pulled up into the sheath and the conical portion of said substantially cylindrical body for removal from the patient; and d. said semi-rigid sheath further comprises a lip or knob formed at the distal end thereof that intercepts and locks with a fibbed flange about the middle of said cylindrical body as the retention means is collapsed and the gastrostomy tube removed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
179 words
A gastrostomy tube removal device comprising, for use in combination with a gastrostomy tube having a retention means with at least one extending member, a. a hollow, rigid substantially cylindrical body with a first proximal open end and a second distal open end, and; b. a tapered, substantially conical portion formed at said proximal open end of the body that is adapted to receive said gastrostomy tube exiting a patients body; c. a semi-rigid sheath that is moveable over the conical portion of the cylindrical body so as to contact and collapse at least one extending member of a retention means of said gastrostomy tube so that said retention means is collapsed and said gastrostomy tube is pulled up into the sheath and the conical portion of said substantially cylindrical body for removal from the patient; and d. said semi-rigid sheath further comprises a lip or knob formed at the distal end thereof that intercepts and locks with a fibbed flange about the middle of said cylindrical body as the retention means is collapsed and the gastrostomy tube removed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The removal device of claim 5 wherein an immovable cap or knob is formed about the distal end of said cylindrical body whose circumference is greater than that of the cylindrical body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The removal device of claim 6 wherein said cap is a substantially circular rim extending outward about the periphery of the distal end portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The removal device of claim 7 wherein said semi-rigid sheath is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene and other lubricous, simi-rigid plastics and mixtures thereof.