Devices for clearing blockages in in-situ artificial lumens

US8690861B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Actuated Medical, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Roger B. Bagwell · Bellefonte, US
• Paul L. Frankhouser · Miami Beach, US
• Maureen L. Mulvihill · Bellefonte, US
• Josue R. Crespo · State College, US
• Brian M. Park · Bellefonte, US
• Dana B. Mallen · Yardley, US
• Gabriela Hernandez Meza · Philadelphia, US
• Debora L. Demers · State College, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 9, 2012
• Grant date: Apr 8, 2014
• Expiry date: Aug 9, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/789
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A device for the in situ clearing of blockages in a tube includes a controller and a clearing member. The controller can have a housing and an actuator for generating repetitive motion. The clearing member can be releasably coupled to the controller and suitable for insertion in the tube. The tube can be at least partially disposed within a living being. The controller can be located external to the living being. The clearing member can have a first end releasably coupled to the actuator, at least one flexible section which permits axial displacement of the clearing member, and a second end suitable for repetitively engaging and disrupting the blockage. The flexible section permits the clearing member to repetitively engage and disrupt the blockage within one of a straight and a curved portion of the artificial tube.