Methods and Devices for Coupling a Device Insertable within a Mammalian Body

Abstract

Methods and devices for a coupler adapted and configured for use with a device insertable within a mammalian body are disclosed. The devices comprise, for example, an elongate member having a lumen therethrough; and a flange extending from the elongate member at a first end further comprising a tissue engaging surface; an opening along a length of the elongate member having a width less than a diameter of the insertable device and adapted and configured to engage the insertable device within the lumen of the elongate member.

1 . A coupler for use with a device insertable within a mammalian body comprising:
 an elongate member having a lumen therethrough;   a flange extending from the elongate member at a first end further comprising a tissue engaging surface; and   an opening along a length of the elongate member having a width less than a diameter of the insertable device and adapted and configured to engage the insertable device within the lumen of the elongate member.   
   
   
       2 . The coupler of  claim 1  wherein the coupler has a single-molded assembly. 
   
   
       3 . The coupler of  claim 1  wherein the coupler is assembled from component parts. 
   
   
       4 . The coupler of  claim 1  wherein the insertable device is a catheter, cannula, sheath, introducer, trocar, tube or guide wire. 
   
   
       5 . The coupler of  claim 1  further comprising a strain relief mechanism. 
   
   
       6 . The coupler of  claim 1  wherein the coupler is adapted and configured to engage the insertable device after the device is deployed within the mammalian body. 
   
   
       7 . The coupler of  claim 1  further comprising a surface adherable to a tissue. 
   
   
       8 . The coupler of  claim 7  wherein the adherable surface has a skin contacting surface larger than a skin contacting surface of the flange. 
   
   
       9 . The coupler of  claim 7  wherein the adherable surface is positionable over the flange. 
   
   
       10 . The coupler of  claim 9  wherein the adherable surface positioned over the flange extends outwardly from the flange. 
   
   
       11 . The coupler of  claim 1  wherein the coupler is suturable to a tissue. 
   
   
       12 . The coupler of  claim 1  wherein the elongate member is positioned at an angle less than 90 degrees from a plane in which the flange is positioned. 
   
   
       13 . The coupler of  claim 1  further comprises one or more reinforcing members selected from a wire, a rod, a hoop, a tube, a coil, a sheet, a strip or a band. 
   
   
       14 . The coupler of  claim 1  further comprising one or more of a therapeutic or pharmacologic compound. 
   
   
       15 . The coupler of  claim 1  further comprising a fluid sealing member. 
   
   
       16 . The coupler of  claim 15  wherein the fluid sealing member is a valve, a ring or a gasket. 
   
   
       17 . The coupler of  claim 1  wherein the coupler is fabricated from one or more of silicone, polymer, rubber, metal, metal alloy, and shape memory material. 
   
   
       18 . The coupler of  claim 1  further comprising a securement member. 
   
   
       19 . The coupler of  claim 1  wherein the elongate member is adapted and configured to be snap fit together. 
   
   
       20 . The coupler of  claim 1  wherein the coupler is further comprised of two pieces adapted and configured to be engageable along a length. 
   
   
       21 . A method of coupling a device insertable within a mammalian body comprising the steps of:
 a. inserting the insertable device within the mammalian body; and   b. engaging the insertable device with a coupler comprising, an elongate member having a lumen therethrough; a flange extending from the elongate member at a first end further comprising a tissue engaging surface; and an opening along a length of the elongate member having a width less than a diameter of the insertable device and adapted and configured to engage the insertable device within the lumen of the elongate member.   
   
   
       22 . The method of coupling of  claim 21  wherein the step of engaging the insertable device occurs before the inserting step. 
   
   
       23 . The method of coupling of  claim 21  further comprising the steps of positioning the opening of the coupler adjacent the insertable device and applying pressure along a length of the coupler until the insertable device is positioned within the lumen of the coupler. 
   
   
       24 . The method of coupling of  claim 21  further comprising the step of adhering the coupler along an end to the mammalian body. 
   
   
       25 . The method of coupling of  claim 24  wherein the step of adhering occurs on a skin surface. 
   
   
       26 . The method of coupling of  claim 21  wherein the insertable device is not perpendicular to the mammalian body. 
   
   
       27 . The method of coupling of  claim 21  wherein the coupler is snapped together around an exterior of the insertable device. 
   
   
       28 . The method of coupling of  claim 21  further comprising the step of holding the coupler in a fixed position along the length of the insertable device. 
   
   
       29 . The method of coupling of  claim 21  further comprising the step of moving the coupler from a first position along the length of the insertable device to a second position along the length of the insertable device. 
   
   
       30 . A coupler for engaging a device insertable within a body comprising:
 an elongate member having a lumen therethrough; and   a flange extending from the elongate member at a first end;   
     wherein the elongate member is adapted and configured to have a first configuration prior to engaging the device, a conformable second configuration enabling the elongate member to slide over the device during deployment, and a third configuration wherein the device is positioned within the lumen of the elongate member after deployment. 
   
   
       31 . The coupler of  claim 30  wherein the coupler has a single-molded assembly. 
   
   
       32 . The coupler of  claim 30  wherein the insertable device is a catheter, cannula, introducer, sheath, trocar, tube or guide wire. 
   
   
       33 . The coupler of  claim 30  further comprising a strain relief mechanism. 
   
   
       34 . The coupler of  claim 30  wherein the coupler is assembled from component parts. 
   
   
       35 . The coupler of  claim 34  wherein the coupler is adapted and configured to engage the insertable device after the device is deployed within the mammalian body. 
   
   
       36 . The coupler of  claim 30  further comprising a surface adherable to a tissue. 
   
   
       37 . The coupler of  claim 36  wherein the adherable surface has a skin contacting surface larger than a skin contacting surface of the flange. 
   
   
       38 . The coupler of  claim 36  wherein the adherable surface is positionable over the flange. 
   
   
       39 . The coupler of  claim 38  wherein the adherable surface positioned over the flange extends outwardly from the flange. 
   
   
       40 . The coupler of  claim 30  wherein the coupler is suturable to a tissue. 
   
   
       41 . The coupler of  claim 30  wherein the elongate member is positioned at an angle less than 90 degrees from a plane in which the flange is positioned. 
   
   
       42 . The coupler of  claim 30  further comprises one or more reinforcing members selected from a wire, a rod, a hoop, a tube, a coil, a sheet, a strip or a band. 
   
   
       43 . The coupler of  claim 30  further comprising one or more of a therapeutic or pharmacologic compound. 
   
   
       44 . The coupler of  claim 30  further comprising a fluid sealing member. 
   
   
       45 . The coupler of  claim 44  wherein the fluid sealing member is a valve, a ring or a gasket. 
   
   
       46 . The coupler of  claim 30  wherein the coupler is fabricated from one or more of silicone, polymer, rubber, metal, metal alloy, and shape memory material. 
   
   
       47 . The coupler of  claim 30  further comprising a securement member. 
   
   
       48 . The coupler of  claim 30  wherein the elongate member is adapted and configured to be snap fit together. 
   
   
       49 . The coupler of  claim 30  wherein the coupler is further comprised of two pieces adapted and configured to be engageable along a length. 
   
   
       50 . A method of coupling a device insertable within a mammalian body comprising the steps of:
 a. inserting the insertable device within the mammalian body; and   b. engaging the insertable device with a coupler comprising, an elongate member having a lumen therethrough; and a flange extending from the elongate member at a first end;   
     wherein the elongate member is adapted and configured to have a first configuration prior to engaging the device, a conformable second configuration enabling the elongate member to slide over the device during deployment, and a third configuration wherein the device is positioned within the lumen of the elongate member after deployment. 
   
   
       51 . The method of coupling of  claim 50  wherein the step of engaging the insertable device occurs before the inserting step. 
   
   
       52 . The method of coupling of  claim 50  further comprising the steps of positioning the opening of the coupler adjacent the insertable device and applying pressure along a length of the coupler until the insertable device is positioned within the lumen of the coupler. 
   
   
       53 . The method of coupling of  claim 50  further comprising the step of adhering the coupler along an end to the mammalian body. 
   
   
       54 . The method of coupling of  claim 53  wherein the step of adhering occurs on a skin surface. 
   
   
       55 . The method of coupling of  claim 50  wherein the insertable device is not perpendicular to the mammalian body. 
   
   
       56 . The method of coupling of  claim 50  wherein the coupler is snapped together around an exterior of the insertable device. 
   
   
       57 . The method of coupling of  claim 50  further comprising the step of holding the coupler in a fixed position along the length of the insertable device. 
   
   
       58 . The method of coupling of  claim 50  further comprising the step of moving the coupler from a first position along the length of the insertable device to a second position along the length of the insertable device.