SELF-EXPANDABLE TUBE AND METHOD OF USE
The invention relates to a self-expandable tube having a catheter body with a double lumen in which one lumen allows for suctioning or decompression and another lumen for a feeding tube. A self-expandable portion collects secretions above the expandable portion or in the anatomical lumen and a suction source coupled to the self-expandable tube removes the secretions as is disclosed herein.
1 . A self-expandable tube comprising:
an elongate catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end having an expandable section, the catheter body including at least two lumens that span a longitudinal length of the catheter body; and
an outer sheath surrounding the catheter body and constraining the expandable section, the outer sheath being movable to release constraint on the expandable section.
2 . The self-expandable tube of claim 1 , wherein the outer sheath has one or more openings passing there through.
3 . The self-expandable tube of claim 2 , wherein the one or more openings form a porosity on the outer sheath between 50% and 99%, between 60% and 89%, or between 70% and 79%.
4 . The self-expandable tube of claim 1 , wherein the catheter body is configured to be bendable along a longitudinal axis without collapsing or obstructing the double lumen.
5 . The self-expandable tube of claim 4 , wherein the catheter body is configured to be bendable along a bend angle between 0-45 degrees from the longitudinal axis.
6 . The self-expandable tube of claim 4 , wherein the catheter body is configured to be bendable along a bend angle between 5-35 degrees from the longitudinal axis.
7 . The self-expandable tube of claim 4 , wherein the catheter body is configured to be bendable along a bend angle between 10-25 degrees from the longitudinal axis.
8 . The self-expandable tube of claim 1 , wherein the catheter body further comprises proximal ports and distal ports communicating with at least one of the at least two of a plurality of lumens.
9 . The self-expandable tube of claim 1 , wherein the proximal ports further comprises a seal configured to prevent fluid backflow through the proximal ports.
10 . The self-expandable tube of claim 1 , wherein the expandable section has a contracted state having a diameter between 2-3 mm and has an expanded state having a diameter between 12-14 mm.
11 . The self-expandable tube of claim 1 , wherein the expandable section comprises a single biocompatible material and formed as a single monolithic or unitary element.
12 . The self-expandable tube of claim 1 , wherein the expandable section comprises plural elements joined to each other.
13 . The self-expandable tube of claim 1 , wherein the expandable section comprises plural biocompatible materials joined as a composite.
14 . The self-expandable tube of claim 1 , wherein the expandable section further comprises at least one of a plurality of reinforcing members.
15 . The self-expandable tube of claim 14 , wherein the at least one of a plurality of reinforcing members further comprise a plurality of reinforcing members circumferentially arrayed about the expandable section, each of the plurality of reinforcing members extending distally from a proximal region of the expandable section.
16 . The self-expandable tube of claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of reinforcing members further comprise an elastic, shape memory or superelastic member joined to the expandable section.
17 . The self-expandable tube of claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of reinforcing members further comprises a thickened region of the expandable section.
18 . A self-expandable tube comprising:
an elongate catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end having an expandable section, the catheter body including at least two lumens that span a longitudinal length of the catheter body;
an outer sheath surrounding the catheter body and constraining the expandable section, the outer sheath being movable to release constraint on the expandable section; and
at least one of a plurality of reinforcing members associated with the expandable section circumferentially arrayed about the expandable section and extending distally from a proximal region of the expandable section.
19 . The self-expandable tube of claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of reinforcing members further comprise an elastic, shape memory or superelastic member joined to the expandable section.
20 . The self-expandable tube of claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of reinforcing members further comprises a thickened region of the expandable section.