Patent ID: 8262645

Claim:
A device for the in situ clearing of blockages in artificial tubes completely or partially disposed within a living being, said device comprising: a controller that remains outside of the living being, said controller comprising an actuator for generating repetitive motion; and a clearing member having: a first end that is releasably coupled to the actuator, a second working end that is insertable into an opening in the artificial tube, said second working end having a portion that comes into repetitive contact with a blockage in the artificial tube for clearing the blockage therein, and a flexible material that permits said clearing member to make repetitive contact with the blockage while said clearing member is positioned within a straight portion or within a curved portion of the artificial tube, a stationary sheath, a movable wire disposed within said stationary sheath, said wire having a first wire end that is coupled to said actuator and a second wire end that comprises a tip that contacts said blockage, and a pliant wire stop through which said wire is disposed, said pliant wire stop coupled between said first wire end and a stationary fitting through which said wire passes, wherein said actuator provides reciprocating motion to said clearing member that occurs along a longitudinal axis of the artificial tube.