Methods and devices to clear obstructions from medical tubes
US8951355B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 24, 2013 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/0019
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube, such as a chest tube, is disclosed in various embodiments. The device features a clearance member in the form of a loop. The loop desirably has a diameter that substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the medical tube. Also desirably, the loop presents a substantially unobstructed pathway therethrough for the flow of material from a location in the medical tube distal to the loop to a location in the medical tube proximal to the loop regardless whether the clearance member is being translated or is at rest in the medical tube. Methods of utilizing such a device are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.