Patent ID: 6546280
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
An indwelling catheter, comprising:an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end and an interior lumen therethrough; an exterior flange coupled to the proximal end; a plurality of helical coils formed in the body between the proximal and distal ends and having a central axis passing therethrough; and a flexible connector extending at least partially through the elongate body from substantially adjacent the proximal end; wherein the helical coils may be straightened out by placing a stiffener into the interior lumen in order to facilitate placement of the catheter between an external surface of a patient and an interior cavity thereof; wherein the flexible connector penetrates the plurality of helical coils substantially along a line extending substantially parallel to the central axis; wherein at least one of the helical coils automatically reforms to define a deployed configuration when the stiffener is removed from the interior lumen after placement of the catheter, such that the flange is held against the external surface of the patient and the at least one helical coil is held against an interior surface of the cavity; and wherein the flexible connector may be secured to reinforce the deployed configuration.