 Method for introducing cardioplegia solution into the coronary sinus |
| In its broader aspects, the invention comprises a catheter for supplying liquid to the coronary ... |
|
| Catheter system for the isolation of a segment of blood vessel |
| In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a catheter for isolating a segment of a ... |
|
| Device for treating tissues with an electromagnetic field |
| What is claimed is: 1. A method for normalising biological functions of living tissues by action of ... |
|
| Flexible microscope slide |
| It is an object of the present invention to provide a microscope slide adapted for supravital ... |
|
| Endoscopic instrument for forming an artificial valve |
| The first object of the present invention is to provide the apparatus and method for forming a ... |
|
| Intracardiac blood pump |
| What is claimed is: 1. An intracardiac blood pump, comprising: a pump section having a distal end ... |
|
| Transobturator surgical articles and methods |
| The invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art and provides for a surgical apparatus and ... |
|
| Inflatable isolation bag |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One aspect of the invention relates to collapsible structures which ... |
|
| Surgical retrieval assembly and associated method |
| As illustrated in FIG. 1A, a snare cauterization instrument assembly comprises a hand held control ... |
|
| Nasal mask and system using same |
| The present invention provides an improved respiratory mask that reliably and comfortably seals a ... |
|
|
Drain cannula
| Details |
Inventors: Magram, Gary;
Assignee: Nemours Foundation (Jacksonville, FL)
Primary Examiner: McDermott; Corrine
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Martinez de Andino; J. Michael McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP, Lew; Jeffrey C.
An apparatus for draining cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricle of a brain includes an inner rigid tube and an outer flexible, elastic tube. The proximal end of the flexible tube has perforations to admit fluid into the elastic tube lumen in which the fluid is conducted to the distal end where the fluid exits into the remainder of a drain system, such as a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The rigid tube contains an elbow bend intermediate the ends. In one form of the apparatus, the rigid tube has a first tubing nipple near one end and a second nipple intermediate the first nipple and the elbow bend. The first nipple extends outside and beyond the distal end of the flexible tube. The second nipple can be used to fasten the flexible tube to the rigid tube. The fastening method can employ a circumferential ligature as with suture thread or with a novel non-elastically deformable sleeve type of compression fitting. When implanted, the intercranial portion of the drain cannula descends directly into the ventricle from a burr hole in the skull and the extracranial portion remains flush adjacent the skull under the scalp. The rigid tube maintains the lumen in a patent condition at the burr hole despite the substantial angle between the distal and proximal portions of the flexible tube. The location of the two nipples permits fastening of the rigid tube to the flexible tube and joinder of the drain cannula to the drain system to be accomplished completely outside the burr hole. |
|
DETAILED DESCRIPTION When appropriately indicated, modern medical treatment frequently includes the procedure of moving fluid from one location in the body to another or between the body and an external apparatus.
In a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt for treating hydrocephalus, among other conditions, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is transferred from a ventricle of the brain to a receiving reservoir, such as the heart or peritoneum.
A basic VP shunt system typically includes a proximal cannula for draining fluid from the ventricle, a subcutaneously implanted pressure valve connected to the proximal cannula, and a distal cannula connected subcutaneously between the pressure valve and the reservoir.
The shunt may include other instruments, such as a flushing device and an injection port for administration of medicine or extraction of fluid samples.
Generally shunts employ thin walled, small diameter rubber tubes to conduct fluid throughout the shunt system.
A common technique for joining two tubes together or for joining a cannula to an instrument uses a connector fitting with a tubular, cylindrical nipple.
The nipple has a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the tube being joined.
Inserting the nipple into the lumen of the tube stretches the tube walls, and produces a radially compressive force which forms a liquid tight seal between the tube and the nipple due to the elasticity of the tube.
It is extremely important that the tube does not disconnect from the nipple unexpectedly.
For a subcutaneously implanted tube, accidental tube disconnection is particularly undesirable because surgical procedures are needed to make repairs.
Although tube wall stretching provides some resistance against the tube disconnecting from the nipple, surgeons customarily tie one or more circumferential ligatures of suture thread around the tube at each nipple to increase resistance.
However, if the ligature is too tight, the thread can cut through the tube wall, and in time, partially or completely sever the tube
|
|
Heart Surgery 
