US6024730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catheter assemblies and inner cannulae
Assignee: Smiths Group PLC
•
Filing: 1997-11-03
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Granted: 2000-02-15
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Expires: 2017-11-03
Abstract
Abstract An inner cannula for a tracheostomy tube assembly is formed from a tubular member having two parallel rows of slots formed along its length and covered by a sheath of thin flexible material on the inside of the tubular member, so that the slots can freely open and close on flexing. The two rows of slots are separated from one another by two longitudinal regions uninterrupted by slots, which give the cannula axial rigidity.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Pagan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0043; A61M25/0054; A61M16/00; A61M16/04; A61M16/0402; A61M16/0427; A61M16/0465; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0138
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A catheter assembly comprising an outer catheter and an inner cannula located within said outer catheter, said inner cannula comprising: a tubular member; a plurality of slots formed in said tubular member and spaced from one another along said tubular member, each said slot extending around a part of a circumference of said tubular member so as to increase the flexibility of said tubular member; and a member occluding the opening through each said slot on an inner surface of said cannula without substantially impeding the ability of said slots to open and close.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A catheter assembly comprising an outer catheter and an inner cannula located within said outer catheter, said inner cannula comprising: a tubular member; a plurality of slots formed in said tubular member and spaced from one another along said tubular member, each said slot extending around a part of a circumference of said tubular member so as to increase the flexibility of said tubular member; and a member occluding the opening through each said slot on an inner surface of said cannula without substantially impeding the ability of said slots to open and close.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
A tracheostomy assembly comprising an outer tracheostomy tube and an inner cannula located within said tracheostomy tube, said inner cannula comprising: a tubular member; a plurality of slots formed in said tubular member and spaced from one another along said tubular member, each said slot extending around a part of a circumference of said tubular member so as to increase the flexibility of said tubular member; and a member occluding the opening through each said slot on an inner surface of said cannula without substantially impeding the ability of said slots to open and close.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
A tracheostomy assembly comprising an outer tracheostomy tube and an inner cannula located within said tracheostomy tube, said inner cannula comprising: a tubular member; a plurality of slots formed in said tubular member and spaced from one another along said tubular member, each said slot extending around a part of a circumference of said tubular member so as to increase the flexibility of said tubular member; and a member occluding the opening through each said slot on an inner surface of said cannula without substantially impeding the ability of said slots to open and close.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said slots are located in two rows extending along opposite sides of said tubular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said slots each have a width extending around the circumference of the cannula and a height extending longitudinally of the cannula, and wherein the width of each slot exceeds its height.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a longitudinal region extends along the length of said cannula and is uninterrupted by said slots so as to maintain axial rigidity of said cannula.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An assembly according to claim 4, wherein said cannula has two of said longitudinal regions extending parallel to one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said cannula is formed to have a natural straight shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said cannula is formed to have a natural curved shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly according to claim 7, wherein said slots are located in a first row extending along an outer curve of the cannula and in a second row extending along an inner curve of said cannula.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly according to claim 8, wherein said slots in said first row are wider than said slots in said second row.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said tubular member is of a plastics material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said member occluding the opening through each said slot is a sheath of material thinner and more flexible than the material of said tubular member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A cannula according to claim 11, wherein said sheath is of a resilient material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly according to claim 11, wherein said sheath is applied to an inner surface of said tubular member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said member occluding the opening through each said slot is provided by a material filling each said slot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly according to claim 14, wherein said material is injected to fill said slots after injecting material to form said tubular member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one end of said tubular member has a region uninterrupted by said slots.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-14 | 2003-08-16 | 2004-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-14 | 2007-08-16 | 2008-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-14 | 2011-08-16 | 2012-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |