IMPROVED CATHETER DESIGN FOR USE IN TREATING PLEURAL DISEASES

摘要

A catheter for use in treating pleural diseases, such as pleural effusions and pneumothorax, includes a tip portion that is configured to irritate the pleura when the catheter is inserted in the pleural cavity, thereby initiating mechanical pleurodesis. The tip portion has a substantially rough configuration and may include one or more protrusions that contact the pleura when the catheter is in use, thereby irritating the layers. This irritation causes the creation of fibrous adhesions between the parietal and visceral layers that close off the pleural cavity and prevent further fluid and/or air accumulations that occur as a result of pleural diseases.