GB2174302A

GB2174302A - Catheter for irrigating and ventilating the sinuses

Info

Publication number: GB2174302A
Application number: GB08524126A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Finn S Pedersen
Original assignee: ZIMMER INT SA
Current assignee: ZIMMER INT SA
Priority date: 1985-04-30
Filing date: 1985-10-01
Publication date: 1986-11-05
Also published as: GB2174302B; FR2580932B1; DE3515623A1; GB8524126D0; FR2580932A1

Abstract

A catheter consisting of a tube 10 and an insert 14 is provided for irrigating and ventilating the sinuses. The insert is inserted at one end of the tube and inside the tube forms a stop which, when the catheter is mounted on a lancet 18, is supported on a radial shoulder 20 of the lancet. The wall of the sinus may be perforated and the catheter introduced through the opening in a single step. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Catheter for irrigating and ventilating the sinuses The invention concerns a catheter for irrigating and ventilating the sinuses.

It is known that, for treating sinusitis, which interferes with drainage of the tissue fluid produced in the sinus, the thin bony wall of the maxillary sinus may be pierced with a lancet which is customarily introduced through the nose. After the lancet is withdrawn a catheter is introduced through the opening formed. In order to avoid any irritation of the sensitive nasal fossa which is traversed by perforation of the bony wall, the catheter consists of a tube of very soft plastic. Support on insertion of the catheter may be supplied by a guide rod onto which the tube may be slipped. At the front end of the tube are customarily provided two wings, projecting laterally, which are intended to prevent unintentional withdrawal of the catheter (Xomed's Catalogue).

Introduction of the known catheter may lead to difficulties. If the catheter does not slide smoothly through the opening, the thin-walled soft tube may fold and slips off the guide rod. In addition, it is only possible to observe the sinus by introducing an endoscope so long as the catheter is not yet introduced, as the diameter of the catheter is too small for the endoscope. Hence the endoscope may only be introduced through the opening produced by the lancet The known catheter is long enough for attaching a syringe by means of which the sinus is irrigated. As the catheter must be maintained for a lengthy period of time, considerable annoyance of the patient is associated therewith.

The object of the invention consists in designing the catheter in such a way that its introduction into the opening of the bony wall of the sinus is facilitated.

The aforesaid object as well as advantageous further developments of the invention are characterized in the claims.

Pursuant to the invention, the tube is mounted directly on the lancet producing perforation of the bony wall and is held on the latter by means of a radial stop. The tube is thus secured against slipping off when the lancet penetrates the bony wall, the tube being drawn along automatically. Perforation of the bony wall and introduction of the catheter are thus effected in one and the same operation. As the catheter is pulled along, the thin and soft wall of the tube cannot fold. Further, since the diameter of the catheter tube is matched to the diameter of the lancet, an endoscope may now be introduced into the sinus through the catheter at any time.

In addition, the catheter advantageously consists of the tube and a sleevelike insert which is fixed in the front end of the tube. The insert has an edge which is supported on a radial shoulder of the appropriately angled tip of the lancet. The catheter is thereby held securely on the lancet in a simple way and the lancet may be withdrawn from the tube without any hindrance after the opening is made.

An example of the invention is explained in greater detail with the aid of the single figure of the drawing, in which the front end of a catheter, mounted on a lancet, is represented in section.

The catheter consists of a thin-walled tube 10, consisting of soft synthetic material and, for example, about 14 cm long, which has a slight curvature, not represented in the drawing, in order to conform to anatomical conditions better. An insert 12 is inserted into the front end of the tube 10 and consists of a cylindrical section 14 and two wings 15 and 16 formed on the section 14 on opposing sides of the latter, which wings have a relatively very thin wall thickness and project Tshaped in lateral direction. The edge 17 of the insert 12 turned toward the tube 10 is designed tapering, the taper running obliquely downward from the inside out in the manner represented, in order to facilitate the introduction of an endoscope, not represented, through the tube 10 and into the section 14. Hence it is intended to prevent the endoscope from getting caught on the sleevelike section 14.The insert 12 is an injection-moulded part which is shoved into the tube and fixed in the latter by, for example, cementing, welding or ultrasound.

In-the drawing the catheter is mounted on a lancet 18, the tip 19 of which serves for perforating the bony wall. The lancet 18, in the front region, has a small diameter, so that a radial shoulder 20 is formed, on which the edge 17 of the insert 12 comes to rest.

A grip is attached at the end of the lancet 18, not shown. If the bony wall is perforated bythetip 19, the catheter carried along on the lancet is automatically drawn along through the opening, whereupon the wings 15 and 16 fold over and after passage through the opening unfold, so that unintentional removal of the catheter is prevented.

The lancet is then withdrawn and the tube 10 shortened so far that its end comes to lie within the nasal cavity.

An endoscope may be introduced through the tube at any time. The taper on the front edge 17 of the insert 12 prevents catching of the endoscope.

The syringe for irrigating the sinus is not fitted directly on the tube 10 as hitherto. Rather, a tubular adapter is used between the syringe and the catheter. Attached to the tubelike adapter is a slightly tapered mouthpiece which is shoved into the tube 10.

Claims

1. Catheter for irrigating and ventilating the sinuses, consisting of an elastic tube capable of introduction into the sinus through a perforation of the wall of the sinus made by means of a lancet, characterized in that the tube (10) is capable of being mounted on the lancet (18) and is secured by a radial shoulder against slipping off in the direction of thrust of the lancet

2. Catheter according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the tube (10), at the end turned toward the tip (19) of the lancet, is fixed a sleevelike insert (12) which, when the catheter is mounted on the lancet, is capable of support on a radial shoulder (20) formed by a stop in the diameter of the lancet.

3. Catheter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the edge (17) ofthe insert (12) turned toward the radial shoulder (20) of the lancet (18) is designed tapered, to prevent catching on the insert when an endoscope is introduced.

4. Catheter according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the insert (12) has wings (15, 16) projecting T-shaped.

5. Catheter according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the insert (12) is an injection molded part.

6. Catheter according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in thatthetube (10) has a slight curvature.

7. Catheter according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that for producing a connection of the catheter with a syringe there is provided a tube with a mouthpiece capable of insertion into the free end of the catheter.

8. Catheter according to claim 1, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.