Body-space drainage-tube debris removal

摘要

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a debris removal system is provided for a body-space drainage system having one or more body tubes with a body tube lumen disposed therein. The debris-removal system comprises an elongated cleaning member and a cleaning head adapted to be advanced distally at least a portion of a length of the body tube lumen to dislodge debris therein. A collapsible sheath can be used to maintain a sterile field in the body tube lumen while the cleaning member is being used by enclosing at least a portion of the cleaning member that is not contained within the body tube lumen, and permitting external digital manipulation of the cleaning member through the sheath to advance and/or retract the cleaning member, and cleaning head, in the body tube lumen.

主权项

1. A debris-removal system comprising:
a body tube having a body tube proximal end, a body tube distal end, and a body tube lumen having a cross-sectional area; and a cleaning member adapted for manipulation within the body tube lumen, said cleaning member comprising a flexible wire filament having a flexible filament distal end and a cleaning head disposed at or adjacent said distal end of said flexible wire filament; wherein actuation of said cleaning member causes a corresponding actuation of said cleaning head to dislodge debris within said body tube lumen without compromising a sterile field within said body tube; said cleaning head being configured such that it permits free flow of material past the cleaning head across substantially the full cross-sectional area of the body tube lumen while the cleaning head is being used to dislodge debris; said body tube lumen being under a vacuum drawn from the body tube proximal end during actuation of said cleaning member, said cleaning member being configured such that the flexible filament distal end cannot exit the body tube distal end upon actuation of said cleaning member.