Patent ID: 7658735
Filing Date: 2010-02-09
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A wound drainage device comprising: a flexible catheter having a plurality of longitudinal ducts defined on an external surface of said catheter, a plurality of internal lumens, a steering conduit, and at least one lateral opening defined in a bottom surface of said plurality of longitudinal ducts, said plurality of longitudinal ducts and internal lumens being alternatingly arranged around said steering conduit, said at least one lateral opening defining an area that is smaller than an area defined by said bottom surface of each longitudinal duct while simultaneously communicating with said plurality of internal lumens and said plurality of longitudinal ducts and extending circumferentially relative to said steering conduit; and an internal steering apparatus at least partially disposed within said steering conduit and structured to controllably position said catheter within the body by causing deviation of said catheter into a plurality of configurations and directions relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter; wherein said internal steering apparatus is configured to selectively alter an effective rigidity of said catheter while said internal steering apparatus is disposed within said steering conduit.