Surgical drain device and method of use
A surgical drain including an introducer having a central axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. The proximal end disposed along the central axis and configured to couple to a drain. The distal end having a blunt distal tip and the introducer at least partially tapering from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the introducer has a length of 30 cm or greater.
1 . A surgical drain introducer comprising:
a central axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, the proximal end disposed along the central axis and opposite the distal end, the proximal end configured to couple to a drain, and the distal end having a blunt distal tip, the introducer constantly tapering from an area proximate the proximal end to an area proximate the distal end such that a diameter of the introducer decreases continuously along a length of the introducer from the proximal end to the distal end; and
a middle portion disposed between the proximal end and the distal end and including the mid-point of the surgical drain introducer equidistance from the proximal end and distal end, the middle portion having an arc extending through the mid-point resulting in the distal end being offset from the central axis,
wherein the introducer has a length of 30 cm or greater and the introducer is comprised of a rigid material to prevent bending of the introducer,
wherein the introducer includes one or more apertures disposed proximate the distal end, the one or more apertures extending axially in the proximal direction along the central axis.
2 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 , wherein the proximal end includes one or more ferrules extending radially from the central axis.
3 . A surgical drain assembly comprising:
the surgical drain introducer of claim 2 ; and
the drain coupled to the introducer,
wherein the one or more ferrules are friction fit with an inner surface of the drain to resist decoupling the drain from the introducer.
4 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 2 , wherein the one or more ferrules are tapered and frustoconically shaped.
5 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 2 , wherein the one or more ferrules include a plurality of tapered ferrules forming a saw-tooth cross sectional profile.
6 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 further comprising:
a distal portion being straight; and
a proximal portion being straight and shorter than the distal portion,
wherein the arc of the middle portion extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion, and
wherein the middle portion is longer than each of the proximal portion and the distal portion and extends more towards the proximal end than the distal end.
7 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 , wherein the distal end is offset from the central axis by approximately 30 degrees.
8 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the proximal end is greater than a diameter of the distal end.
9 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 , wherein the introducer is comprised of stainless steel.
10 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 , wherein the introducer includes one or more gripping portions disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the one or more gripping portion including a plurality of ridges.
11 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 , wherein the introducer includes at least one radiopaque marker.
12 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 , wherein one or both of a portion of the middle portion and a portion of the distal end curves away from the central axis.
13 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 , wherein a maximum diameter of a portion adjacent the proximal end is greater than the diameter of the distal end.
14 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 , wherein the introducer has a maximum diameter of approximately 0.5 cm.
15 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the length of the introducer to a maximum diameter of the introducer is greater than 50:1.
16 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the length of the introducer to a maximum diameter of the introducer is greater than or equal to 80:1.
17 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the length of the introducer to a maximum diameter of the introducer is greater than or equal to 100:1.
18 . The surgical drain introducer according to claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the length of the introducer to a maximum diameter of the introducer is greater than or equal to 120:1.
19 . A surgical drain introducer comprising:
a central axis, a proximal end, a middle portion, and a distal end, the proximal end disposed along the central axis and opposite the distal end, the proximal end configured to couple to a flexible drain and the distal end offset from the central axis and having a blunt distal tip, the introducer constantly tapering from the proximal end to the distal end such that a diameter of the introducer continuously tapers and decreases along a length of the introducer from the proximal end, through the middle portion, and to the distal end;
a middle portion disposed between the proximal end and the distal end and including the mid-point of the surgical drain introducer equidistance from the proximal end and distal end, the middle portion having an arc extending through the mid-point resulting in the distal end being offset from the central axis;
one or more apertures disposed proximate the distal end, the one or more apertures extending axially in the proximal direction along the central axis and being radially and axially offset from one another;
one or more gripping portions disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the one or more gripping portion including a plurality of ridges; and
the flexible drain coupled to the introducer,
wherein one or more ferrules disposed on the proximal end and extending radially from the central axis are friction fit with an inner surface of the drain to resist decoupling the drain from the introducer,
wherein the introducer has a length greater than or equal to 30 cm, a maximum diameter of at least 0.5 cm, and curves in a radial direction along a portion of the introducer, and
wherein the introducer is comprised of a rigid material to prevent bending of the introducer and the introducer includes a maximum diameter disposed adjacent the proximal end,
wherein one or both of a portion of the middle portion and a portion of the distal end curves away from the central axis.