US6676643B2
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US
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Anesthesia conduction catheter
Assignee: Nicor Inc
•
Filing: 2001-03-23
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Granted: 2004-01-13
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Expires: 2021-03-23
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a catheter which combines the benefits of improved drug dispersion, increased accuracy of placement and kink and collapse resistance. The catheter comprises a flexible cylindrical tube having a proximal portion open at one end and a distal portion, the portions in fluid communication, the distal portion comprising a closed, rounded tip and a diffusion area having at least one opening therein which permits fluid flow, the proximal portion including a proximal tip, and at least one reinforcement member attached at the distal tip and at the proximal tip of the flexible cylindrical tube, with the remainder of the at least one reinforcement member movable within the flexible cylindrical tube. The catheters of the present invention can find use in a variety of local, regional and peripheral pain management applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Brushey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0009; A61M25/001; A61M25/0021; A61M2025/0042; A61M25/0043; A61M2025/0057; A61M2025/0063; A61M25/005; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0551
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A catheter comprising: a flexible cylindrical tube having a proximal portion open at one end and a distal portion, said portions in fluid communication, said distal portion comprising a closed, rounded tip and a diffusion area having at least one opening therein which permits fluid flow, said proximal portion including a proximal tip; and at least one reinforcement member attached at said distal tip and at said proximal tip of said flexible cylindrical tube, with the remainder of said at least one reinforcement member movable within said flexible cylindrical tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A catheter comprising: a flexible cylindrical tube having a proximal portion open at one end and a distal portion, said portions in fluid communication, said distal portion comprising a closed, rounded tip and a diffusion area having at least one opening therein which permits fluid flow, said proximal portion including a proximal tip; and at least one reinforcement member attached at said distal tip and at said proximal tip of said flexible cylindrical tube, with the remainder of said at least one reinforcement member movable within said flexible cylindrical tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter of claim 1 with an inner diameter of about 0.005 in. (0.127 mm) to about 0.020 in. (0.508 mm).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 1 with an outer diameter of about 28 gauge to about 16 gauge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 3 with an outer diameter of about 24 gauge to about 18 gauge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The catheter of claim 4 with an outer diameter of 20 gauge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the length of said diffusion area is about 0.5 in. (1.27 cm) to about 20 in. (50.8 cm).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The catheter of claim 1 further including a window for visualizing flashback.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein said flexible cylindrical tube comprises sterilizable plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter of claim 8 , wherein said sterilizable plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyurethans, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene and polyamides.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter of claim 8 , wherein said sterilizable plastic comprises polyamide and copolymers thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 8 , wherein said sterilizable plastic comprises polyurethane which further includes at least one siloxane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein said at least one reinforcement member is made from a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, nickel-titanium and plastic filament.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the shape of said at least one reinforcement member is selected from the group consisting of coil, strip, ribbon, filament, braid or mesh.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the shape of said at least one reinforcement member comprises a coil.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The catheter of claim 14 with said coil comprising stainless steel wire.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter of claim 14 with said coil having a spread of up to about 0.01 5 in. (0.381 mm) from center to center of said coil.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter of claim 1 having 2 to about 100 openings in said diffusion area.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter of claim 17 having 3 to about 13 openings in said diffusion area.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter of claim 17 , wherein said openings are offset about 0°-360° circumferentially from adjacent said openings.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The catheter of claim 17 with said openings forming a row.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 17 with said openings spaced about 2 to about 300 mm from adjacent said openings.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of making a catheter, said method comprising: surrounding at least one reinforcement member with a flexible cylindrical tube, said flexible cylindrical tube having a proximal portion open at one end and a distal portion, said portions in fluid communication, said distal portion comprising a closed, rounded tip and a diffusion area having at least one opening therein which permits fluid flow, said proximal portion including a proximal tip; and attaching said at least one reinforcement member at said distal tip and at said proximal tip of said flexible cylindrical tube such that said at least one reinforcement member is movable within said flexible cylindrical tube.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of making a catheter, said method comprising: surrounding at least one reinforcement member with a flexible cylindrical tube, said flexible cylindrical tube having a proximal portion open at one end and a distal portion, said portions in fluid communication, said distal portion comprising a closed, rounded tip and a diffusion area having at least one opening therein which permits fluid flow, said proximal portion including a proximal tip; and attaching said at least one reinforcement member at said distal tip and at said proximal tip of said flexible cylindrical tube such that said at least one reinforcement member is movable within said flexible cylindrical tube.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the shape of said at least one reinforcement member comprises a coil.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein said coil comprises stainless steel wire.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein said catheter comprises 2 to about 100 openings in said diffusion area.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said catheter comprises 3 to about 13 openings in said diffusion area.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said openings are offset about 0°-360° circumferentially from adjacent said openings.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said openings form a row.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein said catheter has an inner diameter of about 0.005 in. (0.127 mm) to about 0.020 in. (0.508 mm).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein said catheter has an outer diameter of about 28 gauge to about 16 gauge.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein said catheter has an outer diameter of about 24 gauge to about 18 gauge.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein said catheter has an outer diameter of 20 gauge.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the length of said diffusion area is about 0.5 in. (1.27 cm) to about 20 in. (50.8 cm).
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein said catheter further includes a window for visualizing flashback.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein said catheter comprises sterilizable plastic.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein said sterilizable plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene and polyamides.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein said sterilizable plastic comprises polyamide and copolymers thereof.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein said sterilizable plastic comprises polyurethane which further includes at least one siloxane.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein said at least one reinforcement member is made from a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium and nickel-titanium.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the shape of said at least one reinforcement member is selected from the group consisting of coil, strip, ribbon, filament, braid or mesh.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said openings are spaced about 2 to about 300 mm from adjacent said openings.
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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) | 2007-01-12 | 2007-07-14 | 2008-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-01-12 | 2011-07-14 | 2012-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-01-12 | 2015-07-14 | 2016-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |