Patent ID: 9511206
Filing Date: 2016-12-06
CPC Classification: A61M,A61N

Claim Text:
1. An anchoring nerve block catheter system comprising: (A) a dual-sheath catheter comprising an inner sheath and an outer sheath, wherein the catheter and sheaths have proximate and distal ends, wherein the distal ends of the sheaths are connected, the inner sheath defines a fluid delivery lumen, and the outer sheath comprises a tissue lock movable between a collapsed position and an extended position, wherein the tissue lock forms a reversible tissue anchor when in the extended position, and (B) an actuator connected to the proximate end of the catheter and configured to activate the tissue lock by sliding the outer sheath length-wise relative to the inner sheath, wherein the tissue lock is a malecot and the outer sheath comprises a plurality of parallel length-wise slits defining a plurality of malecot extensions, and each of the extensions comprises one or more living hinges operable to increase the force exerted by the extensions on surrounding tissue, and the catheter comprises a coil configured to: (a) provide echogenicity, wherein the coil is embedded in the inner sheath; (b) provide a bidirectional antenna configured to deliver electrical energy to a nerve and to transmit internal electricity from nerve electrical activities; or (c) improve anti-kinking of the catheter in locations prone to kinking, wherein the coil has a length and varied wraps per inch length-wise or varied thickness along the length of the coil, and at least one of the following: (i) the catheter system comprises one or more protrusions at a skin entry point along the outer sheath configured to prevent backflow leakage of anesthetic; (ii) the catheter system comprises a weak point in the tissue lock promoting collapse of the tissue lock above an axial force or upon accidental removal of the catheter without deactivating the tissue lock; (iii) the catheter system further comprises a lip or edge on the distal end of the catheter that forms over a lip or edge of a needle inserted through the inner sheath and is operative to avoid deploying the anchor during insertion; or (iv) the catheter system further comprises a coating on the tissue lock of a tissue ingrowth inhibitor substance sufficient to inhibit tissue ingrowth, wherein the substance is hyalase, glucocorticoids, methotrexate, or an