COUPLING DEVICE IN A CUTANEOUS PASSAGEWAY

Abstract: Device for sterile and leakproof interconnection in a resilient seal (5) enclosed by a cutaneous passageway (1) implanted in the body, of an inner (3) and an outer (2) catheter for supply of a drug or the like from an external container, ampoule or the like to a predetermined locality in the body.

Description: COUPLING DEVICE IN A CUTANEOUS PASSAGEWAY The present invention relates to a device for interconnection of an outer catheter having a regid end portion, and an inner catheter in a cutaneous passageway to be implanted in the body, for supply of drugs or the like, of the kind described and shown in the international application PCT/SE87/00201. In connection with FIG 6 of the drawings in said 10 international application a cutaneous passageway is shown having a catheter for supply for example of a drug to the human body from an external container, ampoule or the like. The supply of a drug must take place under sterile conditions, and a suitable method 15 is to exchange the outer catheter together with the drug container in the cutaneous passageway. This pur¬ pose is achieved according to the present invention by the coupling device having obtained the charac¬ terizing features of claim 1. 0 In order to illustrate the invention this will be described in more detail below reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which FIG 1 shows the cutaneous passageway partly cut away, and the location thereof in the body be¬ fore the outer catheter has been connected to 5 the cutaneous passageway, and FIG 2 shows the cutaneous passageway of FIG 1 but with the outer catheter connected thereto in order to allow communication with the inner catheter. 0 The outside shape of the cutaneous passageway 1 appears from the international application PCT/SE87/00201. The novel feature of the present invention is 3„5_ the sealing device in the cutaneous passageway 1, which is shown in FIGS 1 and 2, in order to supply in a sterile and leakproof manner via catheters 2 and 3 for example a drug to a predetermined locality in the body through the cutaneous passageway 1. The outer catheter 2 has at the connection end thereof a tube 4 of a rigid material, which is in¬ tended to penetrate the seal 5 provided in the cutaneous passageway 1, said seal comprising an elas¬ tomer, for example silicone, which recloses and seals when the outher catheter 2 is being exchanged or when the outer catheter 2 has been removed. The seal 5 is kept in place in the cutaneous passageway 1 by a threaded screw cap 6 which is screwed into the outer cylinder 8 of the cutaneous passageway 1 and by means of which the sealing properties in relation to the friction against the connection end 4 of the outer catheter 2 can be controlled. This control is obtain¬ ed by rotating the screw cap 6 by means of a special tool fitting into recesses 7 in the screw cap 6. The friction against the connection end 4 at the penetra¬ tion of the seal 5 should be as low as possible so as to prevent the zone 9 for tissue penetration of the cutaneous passageway 1 from coming loose from the body. For the same reason the diameter of the rigid end 4 of the outer catheter 2 should not exceed 3 mm. The seal 5 must also seal against the attachment plate 10 of the inner catheter 3 so as to prevent leakage or passage of bacteria into the passage system 11 of the catheters 2 and 3. The seal 5 can be made with a central aperture which is closed by tight fit at the mounting in the cutaneous passageway 1 and forms a guide only for the connection end 4 at the inteconnection in the cutaneous passageway 1.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Device for interconnecting an outer catheter with a rigid end portion, and an inner catheter in a cutaneous passageway (1) to be implanted in the body, for supply of drugs or the like, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that a resilient seal (5) is enclosed in the cutaneous passageway (1) by means of a screw cap (6) and seals the inner catheter (3) against the out¬ side of the cutaneous passageway (1) but allows establishment of communication between the inner catheter (3) and the outer catheter (2) by the rigid end portion (4) of the outer catheter (2) penetrating through the seal (5) up to and in register with the inlet passage (11) of the inner catheter (3) . 2. Device as in claim 1 wherein the inner catheter (3) is attached to a plate (10) at the inner side of the resilient seal (5) which seals against the plate. 3. Device as in claim 1 or 2 wherein the rigid end portion (4) of the outer catheter (2) has a maximum diameter of 3 mm.

Inventors: AXELSSON ROBERT, SVENSSON JAN AXEL, AXELSSON, ROBERT, SVENSSON, JAN, AXEL
Applicants: AXELSSON ROBERT, SVENSSON JAN AXEL, AXELSSON, ROBERT, SVENSSON, JAN, AXEL
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A61M31
IPC codes: A61M1, A61M25