RICHARD HELLER, MD
Radiology in Nashville, TN

4567882, Feb 4, 1986

Dec 10, 1984

6/680242

Richard M. Heller - Nashville TN

Vanderbilt University - Nashville TN

A61B 106

128 11

An improvement in catheters and other medical tubes and in the method of use thereof, which facilitates the precise positioning of the tips of such tubes within body passages. The improved method and device are particularly useful in the care and treatment of premature infants. The medical tube has a fiberoptic light conductor extending lengthwise through the wall thereof, the conductor ending in a light emitting and redirecting terminus adjacent the tube's free or distal end. The opposite end of the conductor is operatively connected to an external source of high-intensity light in the visible range. Light emitted laterally from the tip of such an indwelling tube may be visually and externally observed through the body wall of the patient for accurately and quickly determining the anatomical location of that tip. In a preferred embodiment, the tube is formed of transparent, flexible, thermoplastic material and the light-emitting terminus of the conductor is beveled and is completely embedded within the wall of the tube, so that light emitted from the terminus must pass through the tube's transparent wall.

5131380, Jul 21, 1992

Jun 13, 1991

7/714606

Richard M. Heller - Nashville TN
Thomas F. Lachner - Lake Bluff IL

A61B 106

128 6

The combination of a transparent medical tube and a flexible light conductor slidably and removably disposed therein, and the method of use of that combination. The medical tube is formed of relatively soft, highly-flexible, thermoplastic material and has an open proximal end and a distal end wall with sidewall openings adjacent thereto. The light conductor fits closely within the lumen of the medical tube, with its distal end disposed adjacent to the tube's distal end wall and a handle at its proximal end coupled to the proximal end of the tube. Because of its greater stiffness, the conductor facilitates insertion of the tube/conductor combination without buckling or independent twisting of the tube; however, because the two are secured together at their proximal ends, torquing forces applied to the handle of the conductor are transmitted to the tube for aiding in directing and advancing the tube/conductor combination. Light transmitted by the conductor to its distal end passes outwardly through the medical tube's distal end wall and may be visually and externally observed through the body wall of the patient.