JPS6373973A - Marine breast part catheter - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This application is filed in lieu of a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 885,477 (1986), filed July 14, 1986. Patent application No. 8
This is a continuation-in-part application of No. 91.919 (1986).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This patent relates to thoracic catheters, and more particularly to the Merlin thoracic catheter, which comprises a trocar integrally formed with the catheter.

(Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Intercostal catheters are used in the field of surgery involving thoracic surgery to drain fluids such as gas or liquid from the thoracic cavity, and for use in emergency rooms and other various ambulatory or health care facilities. Used for post-surgical fluid drainage in administrative facilities.

In most surgical procedures where a primary incision is made, such as in the thoracic cavity, the catheter is inserted primarily from the inside out through the superficial incision. The catheter has a distal end and a proximal end. The catheter is inserted into the primary incision with the proximal end entering the incision first. When a secondary incision or body opening is made, the catheter is inserted through the secondary incision from the outside to the inside while grasping the proximal end with forceps. The catheter is therefore a tube whose distal end is guided through the secondary incision.

This secondary incision is immediately retracted until it is in the proper position. This proximal end is then connected to a suitable tubular connector connected to a source of suction to provide suction for evacuation of fluid within the body cavity.

In such methods, protruding nodules created by the forceps and/or the catheter often cause tissue to be torn or cut. U.S. Patent No. 3,295,5
Publication No. 27 discloses that when the proximal end is passed immediately through the secondary incision using forceps, it is possible to not only reduce the tearing of the body tissue but also to prevent the tearing of the body tissue caused by the opening of the proximal end of the catheter. We have announced a significantly improved incision catheter that can also reduce the ablation effect. However, even with the improved catheter based on this patent, the use of auxiliary instruments such as forceps is required for positioning in external catheter insertion methods.

In order to eliminate the use of instruments such as forceps, we sought a solution in US Pat. No. 3,459,189, published August 5, 1969.

A new intercostal catheter kit is introduced: a catheter with an integrated synchronizing trocar. The trocar is attached at a junction near the distal end of the catheter, and the trocar itself allows the catheter to enter the body through an opening or incision in the body and connects the catheter tube. Connected at points and internally.

However, the trocar is an inherent device and the kit or assembly must normally be penetrated from the outside in.

The use of intercostal catheters is often a more complex and delicate procedure when operating on patients with very small thoracic cavities, such as infants and minors. Until now, a method has been developed that uses the delicate sensations of the fingertips to detect the location of the catheter.
Since I had to perform the actual surgery blindly, I had never actually heard of installing a catheter internally or externally.

Now this patent makes that possible.

This patent describes a new improvement in which the catheter itself consists of a single structure that can be used to penetrate body tissue from the inside out, completely eliminating the need for separate forceps or trocars. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a thoracic trocar catheter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved unified Merlin thoracic catheter.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a Merlin thoracic catheter typically has one distal end and one proximal end, and one or more radial openings (holes) at the distal end for fluid drainage of the body cavity.
Made of flexible material with A pointed, rigid section is attached to the proximal end of the flexible tube. The pointed, stiffened portion can be cut, leaving the catheter in place, and pressure applied to the stiffened proximal end from inside the body cavity in order to insert the catheter into body tissue from the outside.

In one embodiment of the invention, the hardened portion is hard;
Preferably made of a rigid rod, attached to the interior of the tube at its proximal end, 1. It is fixed. The rigid rod has a pointed or chisel-like distal end that projects from the proximal end of the tube.

The tube may be of uniform diameter within the opening, with the rigid rod being secured to the tube.

In another embodiment of the invention, the stiffened portion is made of a portion of the tube itself.

Particularly at its proximal end, the tube constitutes a hardened section whose length of material is shaped and hardened. The tube has an axially internally sloped bell-shaped bulge at its proximal end, and the stiffening of the tube only partially contacts this bulge. This tube originally has a uniform diameter, and the length of the tube has a special shape and is hardened, and this part is joined by a small portion entering the uniform diameter part of the tube. .

To enable more precise manipulation of the rigid rod of the trocar catheter, the rigid rod is axially outwardly and/or inwardly of the proximal end of the tube. You can postpone it. The material of the rigid rod may be shaped to serve as a handle for manipulating the rigid rod around exposed organs in the thoracic cavity to a position that facilitates penetration from the inside of the cavity to the outside. The elongated rigid rod allows the tube to be positioned at various locations in particularly small thoracic cavities, such as a child's chest or an abnormal chest.

Also, in another modified embodiment, the solid rod portion of the tube ends without the fullest part of the thickened portion of the tube, and when the tube is in the correct position, this The dowel-shaped opening can be directed to the connector without the risk of cutting the rod thereby creating fragments of the solid rod that are lost within the surgical site.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with the figures presented below.

EXAMPLE The present invention provides a Merlin thoracic catheter that is applicable for emergency use in any case, and is also suitable for slow maneuvers that require the use of forceps to place the catheter for post-operative fluid drainage. It adds improvements. The present invention
Another incision large enough to accommodate the catheter with forceps, such that the "jaws" must be opened within the body cavity (e.g., the chest cavity) in order to grasp the catheter and push it into place in the chest wall. Completely removes the need to provide a monomer. This traditional catheter placement is known as the "outside-in" method and follows the path chosen by the forceps catheter. Merlin thoracic catheter placement is known as the "inside-out technique" and follows the path opened by a penetrating spike, as will be fully explained below.

More specifically, as shown in more detail in FIG. 1, a Merlin thoracic catheter (
10) from the inside to the outside as indicated by the arrow (18), for example from inside the body cavity (20) to the ribs (14) and (1).
It is inserted through the body tissue (12) so as to pass through the chest wall between 6). As shown in Figure 1, veins (V), arteries (
Neurovascular bundles called A) and nerves (N) are located in the neurovascular space on the thoracic side of each rib, at the narrow tapered ends of the ribs. From the structure of this example shown here, by operating the catheter from the inside to the outside,
It is observed that there is greater certainty that these neurovascular bundles can be avoided during catheter placement.

If the chest wall dissection at the location chosen for catheter insertion is normal, damage to the nerve vasculature is likely to occur at the upper (thicker) edge of the ribs below the intercostal space where the trocar was chosen. This can be avoided by inserting it nearby. Conversely, if the chest anatomy is abnormal, it is unclear whether this is due to a congenital abnormality in the growth of the blood vessels that supply blood to the chest wall or due to a pre-existing inflammatory or swollen disease, but catheter placement is recommended. The risk of bleeding caused by this can be minimized by selecting the most favorable location by direct inspection or palpation. This method is clearly superior in reducing the risk of bleeding into the chest wall. This is because as the catheter advances through the various muscle layers surrounding the chest wall, it steers clear of vital structures.

Traditionally, the usual approach to catheter placement has been to use externally inserted forceps or trocars, with the catheter's subsequent path passing through structures of the chest wall and often the muscle layers of the epigastrium. Starting with the identification of entry points to ensure
The catheter is inserted into the chest wall at a distance from the point of entry at an oblique angle that ensures that it follows the inner curvature of the rib cage. This way, the part of the catheter that enters the thoracic cavity avoids compressing the underlying lung tissue and heart. To accomplish this safely, it is necessary to have a deep understanding of not only normal but also abnormal anatomy of the subject, which may adversely affect structures and organs that may be dangerous when inserting forceps or trocars. and clear thinking skills are required.

Figures 2 and 3 show an integrated Merlin thoracic catheter (IO).
FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in form A); FIG. The catheter is flexible and consists of a tube section (22), a distal end (24) and a spindle-shaped proximal end (26).

The distal end (24) includes a series of radial inlet openings (24).
8) and an open distal end (30). Proximal end (26
) expands into a bulbous shape with a gentle flare, and is cut at a suitable position to form a connector, which will be described later. After this cutting, the flared proximal end is connected to connectors of various diameters suitable for connecting the catheter to a source of suction for removing fluid from the body cavity. The catheter is made of seamless, flexible plastic and is transparent to both light and X-rays. However, some catheters contain
There are also radiopaque types, as shown in U.S. Pat. This plastic material becomes extremely flexible at body temperature, but does not become unsuitably soft to function as a catheter.

For example, body temperature makes this tubing extremely flexible, and even manual handling (e.g., moving the catheter tube by repeatedly pulling and sliding the tube with a warm hand) can cause the catheter to move into the thoracic cavity. It can be in the most convenient shape for easy manipulation and placement of a trocar to penetrate the chest space within the chest wall from the inside out. The catheter may be made of any flexible material, such as rubber.

Generally, the present invention provides a proximal end of a catheter and a rigid proximal end integral with the proximal end that extends from inside a body cavity to a rigid proximal end that extends outwardly through body tissue. The catheter is then moved through the body wall to place the distal end in place, and the catheter is then moved through the body wall to place the distal end in place. When a portion of the bulb is cut off, a pointed rigid portion of the catheter is left in place for its intended use.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the stiffened portion of the Merlin thoracic catheter (IOA) is placed and secured inside the open end (31) of the proximal end (26) of the tube. It is made of a solid rod (32). This rod is made of plastic or metal, wood, bone, ivory, etc., and is more rigid than the material of the tube (22). The rod is affixed to the tube in an aperture (31) such that the interface between the tube and rod is combed together by heating or ultrasonic welding or other solution-based or solvent or adhesive. ing. This rod is sharpened at its external end at (34) and projects from the proximal end of the catheter in a carnivorous manner. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
This rod projects only a small length outwardly from the tube. However, the rod is also intended to project outwardly from the tube by a special length for special purposes or methods.

The hardened portion or rod (32) may be made of a plastic that has the property of becoming somewhat soft at the same body temperature as the plastic of the tube (22) of the catheter (1o).

For example, the tube (22) or rod (32) can be shaped manually into a shape such as, for example, a figure 5 shape.

In the case shown in Figure 8, the hardened part or rod is made of plastic or metal, wood, bone, ivory, etc., and the tube (22) is fully extended in the lengthwise direction for applications in special environments. It may be extended completely. For example, in patients whose exposed organs in the thoracic cavity cannot be placed under pressure to be inserted into the thoracic cavity by the surgeon's hands, or whose thoracic cavity is too restricted for the surgeon's hands to insert, a catheter may be used. Attach an expansion clamp to the end of the rod so that it can be remotely positioned at the desired location in the thoracic cavity, and then grasp this rigid portion, the remote control end of the rod, and the catheter to insert the trocar end into the chest wall. It may be operated from the inside to the outside.

During surgery, a catheter is inserted, the body tissue is torn as described above, and the tube (22) is inserted (
36) and simultaneously remove the rod (32) to form the connector. This catheter will be left in place as it will be used to drain fluid from the body cavity.

Figures 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the invention, which is made of a rigid section for a catheter (IOB) that is integral with the tube (22). In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the same elements are numbered the same as in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3.

More specifically, the tube (22) is of a plastic type and has a length of hardened material to form an integral hardened portion of the catheter as shown in (38). In other words, this length 38) does not constitute a flexible portion of the catheter. This long portion (38) has a rod-shaped portion (31) made integrally with the tube (22) by a shoulder (44).
')It is included. This length 38) is made rigid by hardening so that the catheter can tear the patient's body tissue. The distal end of this stiffened length (38) is angled as shown at (4o) to sharpen the stiffened and rigid rod-like end (32') of the catheter. Hardened length (3
8) has only partially penetrated the bulged bulbous part (26) of the catheter, so it is cut at (42) and the remainder of the bulged part is made flexible to fit as a means of connection to a suction source. It can be seen that some flexibility remains. If the catheter is of completely uniform diameter, the integral rigid portion can be cut off after the catheter has been installed and a suitable suction device can be connected at that location for fluid evacuation.

Since the tube (22) is made of a plastic material such as vinyl chloride resin, it can be selectively hardened by a leaching method in which the tube is immersed in a solvent such as alcohol.

The plastic materials used for the tubes are made flexible by a plasticizer component. When the plasticizer is extracted by leaching, the tube becomes hard and rigid. The degree of hardening is determined by the time and temperature parameters of soaking the tube in alcohol.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further alternative embodiment of the invention in which the shoulder (44) (of FIG. 5) is removed and the center of the catheter (IQC) is removed. The bulbous end is made to be inclined relative to its pointed end (46). As in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5,
The length 48) of plastic material of the catheter tube is stiffened at the proximal end of the catheter in a manner such as a leaching process to form a stiffened section for tearing body tissue. This leaching method also tends to cause the tube to shrink slightly. This is because the plasticizer component is removed from the plastic material and its weight is reduced.

Essentially, the stiffened portion or rod (32) of the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 3, and 8, or the stiffened tube of the embodiments of FIGS. Manipulates the body tissue and tears the body tissue. As can be easily seen in FIG. 8, the rod (32) originally occupies a large portion of the length of the catheter, so that both the catheter and the handle can be grasped together.

By being able to insert the catheter from the inside out, it becomes much easier and more reliable to avoid tearing the neurovascular bundle in patients, especially children who have small thoracic cavities.

9 and 11 illustrate one modification (100) of a Merlin trocar catheter.

The tube or catheter (122) here is essentially the same as the tube or catheter (22) of FIGS. 2 and 3. The hard rod (132) is a tube (122)
extending outwardly and inwardly from the proximal end (125) of and being disposed and secured thereto. This rigid rod (132) projects several centimeters from the proximal end (125) of the tube and has an outwardly exposed spike (133) with a chisel tip (140) at its end. This rod (132) has an inner portion (134) a short distance inside the proximal end (135) of the tube and has a central or flat end at the bulge (126) of the tube. (138)
It ends with The tube has a radial opening (128) at the distal end (124) and a bulbous portion (126) near the proximal end (125,) of the tube. Near the high point of this bulb (126) there is marked a ``cut-off line'' (137) by a line of paint or other form of marking. The tube (122) represents where the tube (122) is to be cut when the distal end (124) is in position for suction evacuation.The enclosed end (138) of this rigid rod (132) has a cut-off Since there is no line (137), when the surgeon cuts the tube, he only cuts the tube (122) and there is no need to worry about accidentally cutting the free end of the solid rod inside, and even if he does, there is no risk that it will be left in the surgical site.

This rigid rod (132) can protrude from the proximal end (125) of the tube as much as necessary. This rod with an inward extension may be used with a sharp chisel if the patient's thoracic cavity is small or diseased and must be manipulated with care and skill to avoid causing further damage. It may be shaped into a shape that allows the end (140) to pass through easily. When testing a catheter, this rigid rod can be successfully pulled out from the proximal end of the tube approximately 119 cm (7.5 in.) and placed in the appropriate removal position, and then inserted into the proximal end of the tube (135 in.). ) and apply pressure to the tip (134) of a trocar or rod enclosed in the tube to advance the chisel tip (140) into the thoracic cavity where the tube is pushed into the incision and the distal end of the catheter is inserted for fluid drainage. place in place.

The tube (122) is cut at the cut-off line (137), without the distal end (138) of the rigid rod, to connect the spindle-shaped catheter end to a suitable aspiration system connector. The rigid rod (132) and proximal end (13) of the tube
Part 6) will be discarded.

FIG. 10 shows another modified form of a Merlin trocar catheter (200) having a catheter or tube (222) without a bulge in the tube body. The bulb may be formed within the tube if desired. The cut-off line (237) is at the proximal end (2
25) Displayed nearby.

If the bulb is formed inside the tube,
This cut-off line (237) is the y-center between both ends of the bulb. A protruding rigid rod (232') is secured to the proximal end (235) of the tube, with projections or spikes (233) of the rod (232) projecting outwardly from the proximal end (225). It has an intrusion part (231) inserted into the tube (222). The outer end or spike (233) of the rod has a chisel point (240) which is used to penetrate the parapet. The material of this solid rod is rigid enough to not only allow the force applied to one end to be transmitted through the rod to the other end, but also to allow it to be shaped into the desired shape.

For example, as shown in FIG.
231) is made into an S-shape by extremely bending the rod or tube several times at places such as (239) and (, 241), and each time the rod partially moves back, but the bending is repeated several times. After that, the desired S-shape is finally formed. This S-shape provides a bifurcated handle for the surgeon to grasp, preventing the tube or rod from rotating in the hand. Using this handle-shaped tube or rod, the surgeon inserts a rigid rod through the appropriate cavity between organs in the thoracic cavity to a set position. By using this handle-shaped rod, the surgeon can use the chisel tip (
240) and the necessary handhold to press the rod into the appropriate place on the parapet. Once this rod is passed into the chest wall, the rod and catheter are guided through this new entry port until the distal discharge end (224) is in place, where only the tube can be removed at the cut-off line (237). The cutting rod and a portion of the proximal end (235') of the tube are separated from the remainder of the tube and disposed of.

Because the rod is relatively rigid, the surgeon can attach a scalpel to the rod and continue to use the rod as a prop after cutting the catheter. Therefore, leave the stick uncut.

Figure 12 shows a modified Merlin trocar catheter (302, 3 (14) 2) for fluid drainage at two different locations in the chest.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a patient's chest (300) with a book placed thereon.

This catheter is of the type shown in Figures 9 and 11, in which the proximal end of the catheter (135) is cut by cutting the tube (122) at the cut-off line (137) and removing the rigid rod.
) to which a connector with a suitable conduit can be attached to provide suction for fluid drainage from the surgical site.

Positioning the catheter within the thoracic cavity to address actual or potential air leaks and maneuvering the tip of the catheter at the apex of the thoracic cavity may be identical to that of conventional fluid drainage catheters. An example of such a use is (′
Ph1llip Coop
r) “Craft of Surgical Technique” written by Dr.
Gery; Little, Brown Publishers - 1964). Figure 12 is taken from this book, and the book includes the latissimus dorsi muscle (350), pectoralis major muscle (352), and costal arch (350), which are shown in bold lines in Figure 12.
The portion of the chest wall triangle (340) formed by (354) and (354) is shown as the most preferred location for the exit of the chest tube. For example, the Serras Antalia muscle (
the 5erratus Anterior muS
This is because only one shoulder girdle muscle such as C-1e; 356) is penetrated. The dermal exit location (358, 360) of the catheter /I/ (300) does not compress the catheter when the patient lies in bed, and has suitable stability for the catheter to act as an anchor point. Select the area that you want to penetrate. With this improved catheter, the rigid rod (132) can be shaped into several common shapes so that the chisel tip (140) can be placed through the interior of the thoracic cavity, parietal pleura. to the location selected by
Rod (132) can be manipulated through the first surgical incision and directed to a location in the patient's skin selected for catheter removal. Such position determines whether the distal end of the catheter is placed forward for the evacuation of air or rearward for evacuation of fluids such as blood. Hard stick (132
) The handle of the rod penetrates the soft tissues of the chest wall (pleura, muscles, and their respective fibrous membranes); however, in some patients, the protective membranes of the human body, such as the skin and subcutaneous fascia, may be penetrated by the rod. Some people show resistance to the advancement of the spike or hardened proximal tip. When making scalpel incisions in the skin or subcutaneous fascia, a spike or hardened proximal end is required to aid in penetrating these structures. According to proper surgical principles, the incision should be at least N larger than the diameter of the catheter used, so that the skin around the exit catheter is not damaged by pressure. Next, insert the hard rod into the ejection tip (124
) is introduced from the outside to guide it to a critical position in the thoracic cavity.

The tube (122) is cut at the cut-off line (137) to discard the rigid rod and a suction source with a connector is connected to the spindle end of the tube.

Previous attempts have been made to remotely guide catheters through anatomical sites in the thoracic cavity through an outside-in incision through the chest wall, but the catheters have not been sturdy enough to stand on their own. As already mentioned in detail,
This was particularly relevant when the thoracic cavity was small, such as in an infant's chest, or when the exposed organs in the thoracic cavity could not withstand the pressure of the surgeon's hands. An improved long spike or elongated stiff rod made it possible to remotely control the rod or spike tip to be rigid enough to penetrate into the chest wall even under pressure. This stiff rod can be lengthened in the catheter to provide a handle for manipulation of the stiff rod. Enclosing a rigid rod with an end without a marked cut-off line provides safety in that the trocar or rod is less likely to break in the thoracic cavity or have a loose free end.

It will be appreciated that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or central characteristics. Therefore, this embodiment should be understood to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to what has been shown here.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a projected view of a Merlin thoracic catheter placed through a patient's chest wall. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary axial sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 showing another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary axial sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary axial sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is one of the 46 versions of the present invention showing a trocar extending on the inner and outer sides of the catheter. FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a modified trocar catheter with an extended rigid rod. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further modified version of the trocar catheter. 11 is a partial elevational view of the trocar catheter of FIG. 9 showing only the sectioned portion of the tube joined to the connector; FIG. Figure 12 shows two tubes or catheters installed.
FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a patient with a divisible tube or catheter and a severed rigid rod installed. 10, IOA, IOB, IOC, 100°200.30
0... Merlin chest catheter, 12...
...body tissue, 14.16...rib, 20...
... body cavity, 22,122,222 ... tube, 24.124.224.324 ... distal end, 26,126 ... proximal end, 28°128
...Radial hole, 30...Distal end, 3
2.32', 132.232...hard rod, 38
．． 48... Hardened portion, 44... Shoulder, 137... Cut-off line. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The Merlin thoracic catheter has one distal end and one proximal end. The catheter is made of a tube of flexible material with one or more radial holes at the distal end for draining fluids from the body cavity. The proximal end of this tube is hardened and has a pointed end, so that pressure applied from inside the body cavity to the hardened proximal end allows the catheter to advance outward through the body tissue and then into the body cavity. The sharp, rigid proximal end is cut, leaving the catheter in place. This rigid end is a solid rod that extends outside the proximal end of the tube and ends in the tube without a cut-off line so that after the tube is cut, the rod and proximal The ends are discarded. The rigid rod extends a length inside the tube and may be moldable into a grippable shape to assist the user in maneuvering the rod and tube along a desired path during surgery.

Claims (27)

[Claims] (1) A catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having one or more radial holes for evacuation of fluid from a body cavity; A catheter is guided outward through the body tissue by applying pressure to the hardened proximal end from within the body cavity, and then cutting the hardened pointed part. Merlin thoracic catheter, which allows the catheter to be left in place. (2) A catheter according to claim 1, wherein the stiffened portion has a stiff rod mounted inside the tube at the proximal end and fixed to the inside of the tube. A Merlin chest catheter characterized by: 3. A Merlin thoracic catheter according to claim 2, wherein the rigid rod has a pointed distal end projecting from the proximal end of the tube. (4) The catheter according to claim 2, wherein the tube extends axially inward of the proximal end and has a swollen portion that is inclined with respect to the opening of the proximal end. a Merlin thoracic catheter, wherein the rigid rod is affixed to a tube within the opening. (5) A Merlin thoracic catheter according to claim 4, wherein the rigid rod has a pointed distal end projecting from the proximal end of the tube. (6) The Merlin thoracic catheter according to claim 2, wherein the solid rod is rigid. (7) A Merlin thoracic catheter according to claim 1, wherein the stiffened portion is an integral part of the tube. (8) A catheter according to claim 7, wherein the tube is made of plastic and a length of the proximal end is hardened to form the hardened portion. The Merlin thoracic catheter is characterized by: (9) The catheter according to claim 8, wherein the hardened proximal end of the tube is formed by sharpening the hardened tube at a certain angle. and the Marlin chest catheter. (10) The catheter according to claim 8, wherein the tube has an inclined bulge extending axially inward of the proximal end, and a small portion of the bulge. a stiffened length of the tube extending therethrough. (11) The Merlin thoracic catheter according to claim 8, wherein the certain length of the plastic tube is made rigid by leaching. (12) A catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, the catheter being made of a flexible material with one or more radial holes in the distal end for fluid drainage of a body cavity. a tube, a bulge extending axially inside the proximal end and sloped relative to the opening in the proximal end; a rigid rod mounted and secured inside a tube, said rigid rod having a pointed distal end projecting through an opening in the proximal end of said tube. and the Marlin chest catheter. (13) The Merlin thoracic catheter according to claim 12, wherein the solid rod is rigid. (14) A catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, the catheter having a slanted bulge extending axially inwardly of the distal end for evacuation of fluid from a body cavity; a length of plastic tubing at its proximal end forming a stiffened section, the stiffened section of said tube only partially penetrating said bulge, and forming a proximal section of said tube; A Merlin thoracic catheter characterized by a tube that is stiffened at the end and terminates distally at an angle with a pointed tip. (15) The Merlin thoracic catheter according to claim 14, wherein a certain length of the plastic tube is made rigid by leaching. (16) The Merlin thoracic catheter according to claim 1, wherein the hardened portion is a hard rod made of plastic, metal, wood, bone, ivory, etc. . (17) A Merlin thoracic catheter according to claim 1, wherein the hardened portion is made of a forgeable but inherently hard metal rod. (18) The Merlin chest catheter according to claim 12, wherein the solid rod is made of metal or the like. (19) The Merlin thoracic catheter according to claim 18, wherein the solid rod is made of malleable metal. (20) a tube of flexible material having a distal end and a proximal end, one or more radial holes in the distal end for evacuation of fluid from the body cavity; axially distanced from said proximal end to provide a slanted bulge with respect to both the proximal and distal ends of said tube and a stiffened portion adjacent said proximal end of said tube; A catheter consisting of a rigid rod placed within and fixed to the interior of the tube at the proximal end, the rigid rod protruding a few centimeters beyond the proximal end of the tube; A Merlin thoracic catheter characterized by having a pointed distal tip. (21) The catheter according to claim 20, characterized in that the solid rod penetrates into the tube to a point that does not reach the center of the swollen portion of the tube. Marlin thoracic catheter. (22) The Merlin thoracic catheter according to claim 21, characterized in that the tube has a cut-off line that allows the tube to be cut without intersecting the rod. . (23) The catheter according to claim 20, wherein the solid rod penetrates and penetrates by an amount equivalent to the length of the tube, and wherein both the inside and outside of the tube are shaped into a desired shape. Merlin chest catheter is characterized by its ability to be molded. (24) The catheter according to claim 4, wherein the rod within the tube is shaped into a flat S-shape to adjust the direction followed by the pointed distal tip. A Merlin thoracic catheter characterized by being endowed with a handle. (25) a tube of flexible material having a distal end and a proximal end, one or more radial holes in the distal end for evacuation of fluid from the body cavity; A bulge extending in the axial direction and slanting in the direction of the proximal and distal ends of the tube, and a bulge inside the tube at the proximal end to make the proximal end of the tube rigid. A catheter consisting of a rigid rod attached and fixed to the inside of the tube, said rigid rod having a pointed distal end, protruding several centimeters beyond the proximal end of said tube, and also having a portion inside said tube. A solid rod extending axially from the distal end for a length of time and inside the tube can be molded with the tube into a handle to provide the surgeon with a grip for the tube and rod, thereby allowing the surgeon to grasp the tube and rod. A Merlin thoracic catheter characterized by being able to prevent its rotation when it is operated to a designated location. (26) made of a flexible material having a distal end and a proximal end and having one or more radial holes in that portion of the tube adjacent the distal end for fluid drainage of the body cavity; and a rigid rod mounted within and secured to the interior of the tube at that portion of the tube adjacent the proximal end to provide a stiffening portion to the tube that overlaps with the rigid rod. a cut-off line on the tube beyond the proximal end of the rigid rod, the rigid rod extends several centimeters beyond the proximal end of the catheter, and a pointed distal characterized in that the portion of the tube having a distal end and without an end of said rod is cut at a cut-off line to ensure that the end of said rigid rod is not severed and remains within the body cavity. Marlin thoracic catheter. (27) A flexible tube having distal ends and distal end portions and proximal end and proximal end portions, a plurality of holes formed in the distal end for discharging fluid from the body cavity, A catheter comprising a stiff rod attached to a tube at the proximal end and fixed inside the tube to provide a stiffened portion at the proximal end, the stiff rod being several centimeters from the proximal end of the catheter. The solid rod has a pointed distal end, and the protruding portion of the solid rod is moldable, allowing manipulation of the thoracic cavity from a distance without disturbing or compressing the exposed organs in the thoracic cavity. The Merlin chest catheter is characterized by the following: