An indwelling catheter system

Abstract

An indwelling pleural catheter system comprises an indwelling catheter device (2) comprising a catheter tube (7) with a fenestrated distal end (7A) configured to reside in the pleural cavity of a subject and a connection hub (10) fluidically coupled to a proximal end (7B) of the catheter tube, a skin anchoring member (3) to anchor the connection hub (10) to the skin of the subject, and optionally a detachable ambulatory suction module (4) configured for detachable attachment to the connection hub (10). The suction module (4) comprises a fluid inlet (19) configured for fluidic coupling to the catheter tube (7) through the connection hub (10) and a fluid outlet (20) configured for detachable fluidic coupling to a pleural fluid drainage system (5) to drain pleural fluid through the detachable ambulatory suction module. The detachable ambulatory suction module is configured to exert a negative pressure in the catheter tube upon detachment of the pleural fluid drainage system from the suction module. Treatment of pleural effusion using the system of the invention is described. An indwelling catheter system for draining fluid from the peritoneal cavity, and methods of treating ascites, is also described.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . An indwelling catheter system for draining fluid from a body cavity of a subject defined by a parietal membrane and a visceral membrane, comprising:
 an indwelling catheter device ( 2 ) comprising a catheter tube ( 7 ) with a fenestrated distal end ( 7 A) configured to reside in the cavity of the subject and a connection hub ( 10 ) disposed on a proximal end ( 7 B) of the catheter tube and configured to fluidically couple the catheter tube with a fluid drainage system; and   a skin anchoring member ( 3 ) to anchor the connection hub ( 10 ) to the skin of the subject.   
     
     
         31 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 30 , including an external housing ( 11 ) configured for detachable attachment to the connection hub ( 10 ) and comprising a connection hub embracing housing with a through lumen ( 15 ) for receipt of the connection hub ( 10 ) to expose a proximal end ( 10 A) of the connection hub and a base element ( 21 ) configured to abut the skin of the subject around the skin anchoring member ( 3 ), in which the base element comprises an adhesive member for attaching the external housing to the skin of the subject. 
     
     
         32 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 30 , in which the fenestrated distal end ( 7 A) of the catheter tube is configured to reside in the pleural cavity or peritoneal cavity of a subject. 
     
     
         33 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 30 , comprising a detachable ambulatory suction module ( 4 ) configured for detachable attachment to the connection hub ( 10 ) and comprising:
 a fluid inlet ( 19 ) configured for fluidic coupling to the catheter tube ( 7 ) through the connection hub ( 10 );   a fluid outlet ( 20 ) configured for detachable fluidic coupling to a fluid drainage system ( 5 ) to drain pleural fluid through the detachable ambulatory suction module; and an actuable closure ( 25 ) configured to close the fluid outlet upon actuation, 
wherein the detachable ambulatory suction module is configured to exert a negative pressure in the catheter tube upon actuation of the closure. 
     
     
         34 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 33 , wherein the actuable closure ( 25 ) is configured to close by detachment of the fluid drainage system from the detachable ambulatory suction module and open upon attachment of the fluid drainage system and the detachable ambulatory suction module. 
     
     
         35 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 33 , in which the detachable ambulatory suction module ( 4 ) comprises a negative pressure chamber (24), wherein the fluid inlet ( 19 ) is fluidically coupled to the fluid outlet ( 20 ) by the negative pressure chamber. 
     
     
         36 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 33 , in which the connection hub ( 10 ) comprises a valve configured to open upon attachment of the connection hub with the detachable suction module ( 4 ) and close upon detachment of the connection hub with the detachable suction module. 
     
     
         37 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 33 , in which the system comprises an external housing ( 11 ) configured for detachable attachment to the connection hub ( 10 ) and comprising a connection hub embracing housing with a through lumen ( 15 ) for receipt of the connection hub to expose a proximal end ( 10 A) of the connection hub and a base element ( 21 ) configured to abut the skin of the subject around the skin anchoring member ( 3 ). 
     
     
         38 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 37 , in which the base element ( 21 ) of the external housing ( 11 ) comprises an adhesive dressing for attaching the external housing to the skin of the subject. 
     
     
         39 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 37 , in which the detachable suction module ( 4 ) has a recessed base ( 18 ) and the external housing ( 11 ) has an upper surface dimensioned to nest within the recessed base of the detachable suction module ( 4 ). 
     
     
         40 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 39 , in which the fluid inlet ( 19 ) of the detachable suction module ( 4 ) projects proud of the recessed base ( 18 ) of detachable suction module ( 4 ). 
     
     
         41 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 33 , configured for assembly into a number of different configurations including:
 a resting configuration in which the detachable suction module ( 4 ) is not fluidically connected to the connection hub ( 10 );   a drainage configuration in which the detachable suction module ( 4 ) is fluidically connected to the connection hub ( 10 ) and the fluid drainage system ( 5 ) allowing drainage of fluid under pressure through the catheter device ( 2 ) and detachable ambulatory suction module ( 4 ); and/or   a negative pressure therapy configuration in which the detachable suction module ( 4 ) is fluidically coupled to the connection hub ( 10 ), not fluidically coupled to the fluid drainage system ( 5 ), and negatively pressurized.   
     
     
         42 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 33 , including a fluid drainage system ( 5 ) configured for fluidic coupling to the outlet ( 20 ) of the detachable suction module ( 4 ), the fluid drainage system comprising a fluid collection vessel ( 6 ) and a negatively pressurised drainage mechanism. 
     
     
         43 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 42 , in which the fluid drainage system comprises a connector with a projecting conduit configured to project into the fluid outlet of the ambulatory suction module and open the actuable closure. 
     
     
         44 . The indwelling catheter system according to  claim 30 , in which the connection hub ( 10 ) and/or external housing ( 11 ) comprise a UV light configured to direct light on the catheter tube and/or the subject skin at the incision or an antibacterial coating. 
     
     
         45 . An indwelling pleural catheter system comprising:
 an indwelling catheter device comprising a catheter tube with a fenestrated distal end configured to reside in the pleural or peritoneal cavity of a subject and a connection hub fluidically coupled to a proximal end of the catheter tube;   a skin anchoring member to anchor the connection hub to the skin of the subject; and   a detachable ambulatory suction module configured for detachable attachment to the connection hub and comprising:
 a fluid inlet configured for fluidic coupling to the catheter tube through the connection hub; 
 a fluid outlet configured for detachable fluidic coupling to a pleural fluid drainage system to drain pleural fluid through the detachable ambulatory suction module; and an actuable closure configured to close the fluid outlet upon actuation, 
 wherein the detachable ambulatory suction module is configured to exert a negative pressure in the catheter tube upon actuation of the closure.   
     
     
         46 . The indwelling pleural catheter system according to  claim 45 , in which the detachable ambulatory suction module comprises a negative pressure chamber, wherein the fluid inlet is fluidically coupled to the fluid outlet by the negative pressure chamber. 
     
     
         47 . The indwelling pleural catheter system according to  claim 45 , wherein the actuable closure ( 25 ) is configured to close by detachment of the fluid drainage system from the detachable ambulatory suction module and open upon attachment of the fluid drainage system and the detachable ambulatory suction module. 
     
     
         48 . The indwelling pleural catheter system according to  claim 45 , in which the connection hub ( 10 ) comprises a valve configured to open upon attachment of the connection hub with the detachable suction module ( 4 ) and close upon detachment of the connection hub with the detachable suction module. 
     
     
         49 . The indwelling pleural catheter system according to  claim 45 , in which the skin anchoring member ( 3 ) is separate from and configured for coupling with the connection hub ( 10 ).