Cook Incorporated

Wilson-cook Medical Incorporated

Med Institute Incorporated

Melvin Kem Hawkins

Neal E Fearnot

John A Karpiel

Richard B Sisken

Tamisha A Clark

The present invention involves a elongated member, such as a wire guide, that is used with in a endoscopic procedure. In one aspect of the invention, the elongate member includes a first system of indicia comprising a scale reference markings that can include numeric indicia, sequentially increasing markers, etc., located at regular increments (e.g., 1 cm) on the distal portion of the elongate member, that permit measurement of structures within a body passage. In one example, an exchange wire guide having a radiopaque marker on the distal portion is positioned under fluoroscopy at a first location, such as the distal point of a stricture, and the scale reference marking on the wire guide that visible in the viewing region of the endoscope is read. The wire guide is partially withdrawn such that the marker corresponds to a second position (e.g., the proximal point of the stricture) and the new scale reference marking is read. The difference is calculated to determine the length of the structure. In a second aspect of the invention, a second system of indicia are included to aid the endoscopist in maintaining the device in position. These indicia, which may include oblique markings, helical striping, or some other closely spaced markings or pattern, help in the detection of longitudinal movement of the device.

System of indicia for a medical device

An epidural catheter is disclosed having a durable and a flexible segment joined together. The flexible segment is inserted into a patient with the use of a well-known needle which is removed by passing the needle over the outside of the catheter. The flexible segment is atraumatic to the surrounding tissue. The flexible segment includes a plastic tube surrounded by a wire coil for pushing the tube into a passageway of the tissue. The distal end of the plastic tube and wire coil are joined to prevent unwinding of the coil when extracted. The tightly coupled wire coil also permits the flexible portion to be easily inserted into the passageway of the tissue. The durable segment joined to the flexible segment includes a stainless steel tube with a flat wire coil surrounding a length of the tube. The stainless steel tube permits fluid at an elevated pressure to pass through the hollow passageway therein without rupturing. The flat wire coil prevents kinking of the semi-rigid stainless steel tube. When a fluid at an elevated pressure is received, the distal end of the flexible tube is closed to diffuse the fluid passing through the length of the catheter. Slits are provided laterally on the side of the plastic tube for emitting and diffusing the fluid through the wire coil.

Catheter having durable and flexible segments

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Bloomington, IN, United States of America

Melvin Kem Hawkins