Drainage catheter

Abstract

A medical device for draining fluid from the body of a patient comprises an elongate member that defines a lumen and includes a proximal end and a distal portion. The device further comprises a dilating member disposed in the distal portion of the elongate member. The dilating member comprises a plurality of arms movable from a collapsed state to an expanded state in which the arms protrude radially to anchor the device within the body of the patient. The device includes a tension member that extends through the lumen to the dilating member and couples to the plurality of arms. Application of tension to the tension member causes the arms to move to the collapsed state thereby permitting insertion and removal of the device into and from the body of the patient. Some embodiments include a tension control member disposed at the proximal end of the elongate member and movable in at least a first direction and a second direction to increase and decrease tension to one or more tension members.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A medical device, the device comprising: 
 an elongate member;    a dilating member disposed in a distal portion of the elongate member and movable from a collapsed state to an expanded sate to anchor the device within a body; and    a tension member coupled to the dilating member such that an application of tension to the tension member causes the dilating member to move to the collapsed state thereby permitting removal of he device from the body.