Variable Diameter Surgical Drains and Sheaths

Abstract

Surgical drains and methods for using the same for draining a body cavity are provided. Aspects of the surgical drains of the invention include an elongated structure having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen configured to drain a substance from the body cavity. The distal end is configured to be placed in a body cavity and change in diameter when present in the body cavity from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, where the change in diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element. Aspects of the invention further include sheaths configured to be disposed around surgical drains, such as surgical drains of the invention, and methods of using the surgical drains and sheaths. The devices and methods of the invention find use in a variety of applications.

1 . A surgical drain comprising:
 an elongated structure comprising
 a distal end configured to be placed in a body cavity and change in diameter when present in the body cavity from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, wherein the change in diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element; 
 a proximal end configured to be outside of the body when the distal end is present in the body cavity; 
 a lumen configured to drain a substance from the body cavity; and 
 a syringe attached to the lumen. 
   
     
     
         2 . The surgical drain according to  claim 2 , further comprising a diameter-varying element. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical drain according to  claim 2 , wherein the diameter-varying element is present when the elongated structure is initially placed in the body cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical drain according to  claim 2 , wherein the diameter-varying element is inserted into the elongated structure after the elongated structure has been placed in the body cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical drain according to  claim 2 , wherein the elongated structure further comprises a wall portion and a core portion. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical drain according to  claim 5 , wherein the diameter-varying element is in the wall portion of the elongated structure. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical drain according to  claim 5 , wherein the diameter-varying element is in the core portion of the elongated structure. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical drain according to  claim 2 , wherein the diameter-varying element is a wire. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical drain according to  claim 2 , wherein the diameter-varying element is a balloon. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical drain according to  claim 9 , wherein the balloon has a spiral configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical drain according to  claim 9 , wherein the balloon has a linear configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical drain according to  claim 7 , wherein the diameter-varying element is a central spline. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical drain according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated structure further comprises a tubular structure disposed on the outer surface of the elongated structure. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical drain according to  claim 15 , wherein the tubular structure is secured at the distal end of the elongated structure. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical drain according to  claim 15 , wherein the tubular structure is secured at the proximal end of the elongated structure. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical drain according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated structure further comprises branches. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical drain according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated structure further comprises a coating. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical drain according to  claim 17 , wherein the coating is a friction-reduction coating. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical drain according to  claim 5 , wherein the elongated structure further comprises a lumen in the wall of the elongated structure configured to deliver a pharmaceutical agent. 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising:
 an elongated structure comprising:
 a distal end configured to be placed in an body cavity and change in diameter when present in the body cavity from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, wherein the change in diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element; 
 a proximal end configured to be outside of the body when the distal end is present in the body cavity; 
 a lumen configured to drain a substance from the body cavity; 
 a syringe attached to the lumen; and 
   a drainage apparatus.   
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 20 , further comprising a diameter-varying element. 
     
     
         22 . A method of draining a body cavity in a body, the method comprising:
 positioning a distal end of an elongated structure in a body cavity, wherein the elongated structure comprises:
 a distal end configured to be placed in a body cavity and change in diameter when present in the body cavity from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, wherein the change in diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element; 
 a proximal end configured to be outside of the body when the distal end is present in the body cavity; and 
 a lumen configured to drain a substance from the body cavity; 
   draining a substance from the body cavity via the positioned surgical drain;   decreasing the diameter of the distal end of the elongated structure prior to removal of the elongated structure; and   removing the distal end of the elongated structure from the body cavity,   
       wherein the body cavity is an abdominal body cavity or a cavity in an extremity of the body. 
     
     
         23 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the method further comprises removing a tubular structure disposed around the outer surface of the elongated structure, wherein the tubular structure is secured to the distal end of the elongated structure, such that the tubular structure is removed after the elongated structure has been removed. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the method further comprises removing a tubular structure disposed around the outer surface of the elongated structure, wherein the tubular structure is secured to the proximal end of the elongated structure, such that the tubular structure is removed at the same time as the elongated structure is removed. 
     
     
         32 .- 48 . (canceled)