Isolating drainage catheter

Abstract

Aspects of this disclosure relate to catheter assemblies, that include an inner tube component, an outer tube component that fits over the inner tube component, and a disposable layer of film that isolates the otherwise fluid-exposed portions of the catheter from the fluid it drains. This disposable film can be removed at regular intervals and obviates the need for catheter exchanges as the isolating disposable film, rather than the catheter itself, is removed. The principal characteristic of the disposable film is that it is relatively impermeable to fluid, for example, bodily fluids.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A catheter assembly comprising:
 an outer tube component;   an inner tube component positioned within the outer tube component, wherein a channel is defined by a space between the outer tube component and the inner tube component; and   an isolating medium held within a film reservoir, wherein the isolating medium travels from the film reservoir through the channel on an outer diameter of the inner tube component and inverts along a distal tip of the inner tube component and isolates at least a distal end of the inner tube component from bodily fluids,   wherein the isolating medium comprises a first isolating medium, and wherein the assembly further comprises a second isolating medium located in a film reservoir that is configured to replace the first isolating medium as the first isolating medium is being removed.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the isolating medium is a disposable film. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism located between the inner tube component and the outer tube component. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism is a lock and key mechanism between the inner tube component and the outer tube component. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism is a screw connector between the inner tube component and the outer tube component. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outer tube component and the inner tube component comprises a cavity for the isolating medium. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter assembly is utilized for a kidney. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter assembly comprises a fluid treatment. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid treatment comprises a liquid treatment. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid treatment comprises a gas treatment. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the isolating medium comprises a plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1  further comprising an anti-dislodgement mechanism that includes at least two arms located in one of the inner tube component and the outer tube component. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1  further comprising an anti-dislodgement mechanism that includes an inflatable balloon located in one of the inner tube component and the outer tube component. 
     
     
         14 . A method of introducing or removing a fluid from a body cavity, the method comprising:
 inserting a catheter assembly into a body cavity, the catheter assembly comprising:   an outer tube component;   an inner tube component positioned within the outer tube component, wherein a channel is defined by a space between the outer tube component and the inner tube component; and   an isolating medium held within a film reservoir, wherein the isolating medium travels from the film reservoir through the channel on an outer diameter of the inner tube component and inverts along a distal tip of the inner tube component and isolates at least a distal end of the inner tube component from bodily fluids;   withdrawing a bodily fluid from the body cavity; and   removing the isolating medium from at least the distal end of the inner tube component,   wherein the isolating medium comprises a first isolating medium, and wherein the assembly further comprises a second isolating medium located in a film reservoir that is configured to replace the first isolating medium as the first isolating medium is being removed.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first isolating medium is connected to the second isolating medium, wherein replacing the first isolating medium with the second isolating medium comprises extracting the first isolating medium from the catheter assembly and therein drawing the second isolating medium over at least the distal end of the inner tube component. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the catheter assembly further comprises a locking mechanism located between the inner tube component and the outer tube component. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the locking mechanism is a lock and key mechanism between the inner tube component and the outer tube component. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the locking mechanism is a screw connector between the inner tube component and the outer tube component. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the outer tube component and the inner tube component comprises a cavity for the isolating medium. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the isolating medium comprises a plastic material.