Patent ID: 8192419
Filing Date: 2012-06-05
Classification: A61J,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for inserting a gastrostomy tube into a patient, comprising: inserting a distal end of an endoscope through the patient's mouth into the patient's stomach; making an incision in the patient's abdominal wall and stomach from the outside of the patient's body; using a catheter assembly comprising: (i) a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a cylindrical wall surrounding a primary longitudinal bore; and (ii) an internal bolster disposed at the distal end of the catheter, the internal bolster comprising a plurality of resilient members collectively forming a reversibly transformable anchor, wherein each of the resilient members has a spiral shape when in a relaxed state and a straightened shape when in an unfurled state, and wherein the spiral shape extends radially outwardly from the catheter and away from the proximal end of the catheter, wherein a first end of each resilient member is free and a second end of each resilient member is fixed to the distal end of the catheter in both the relaxed state and the unfurled state; inserting the catheter assembly into the stomach through the incision with the resilient members in the unfurled state without the use of an external delivery device; and once the resilient members have entered the patient, allowing the resilient members to return to the relaxed state spiral shape and anchor the catheter assembly in the patient.