Patent ID: 11931501
Assignee: nan
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 15:
16. A method of clearing a clot from a dialysis flow tube that is used for dialysis, the method comprising:
inserting a sheath into an opening in the dialysis flow tube;
inserting a catheter through the sheath for cleaning the dialysis flow tube in a first direction relative to the opening;
using a fluid to expand a stop mechanism associated with the sheath such that the stop mechanism protrudes radially away from the sheath;
without removing the sheath from the opening, engaging the expanded stop mechanism to an internal surface of the dialysis flow tube, the internal surface being located directly adjacent to the opening in the dialysis tube, the stop mechanism for assisting with maintaining the sheath within the dialysis flow tube;
while the stop mechanism is engaging the internal surface of the dialysis flow tube directly adjacent to the opening in the dialysis tube, manipulating the direction of a lower end of the sheath within the dialysis flow tube; and
after the manipulating, using the catheter to clean the dialysis flow tube in a second direction relative to the opening, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.