Medical pipe cleaning device

Description

1 / 32 Medical Tube Clearance Device Split request BR112023009419-4 dated 11 / 17 / 2021. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application generally refers to a medical tubing assembly and, more specifically, to a device for clearing obstructions from a medical tubing assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] Medical tubes can be used to deliver fluids or devices into a patient's body and / or to drain bodily fluids and secretions from compartments and structures within the body. For example, medical tubes can be used to drain fluid from the bladder, colon, or other portions of the alimentary tract, or from the lungs or other organs in conjunction with various therapies. As another example, medical tubes can be used to drain blood and other fluids that typically accumulate within a body cavity after traumatic surgery. Yet another example, medical tubes can be used to deliver fluids into a patient's body for nutrition or can be used to provide access to the vasculature for removal or delivery of fluids or devices.Typically, a medical tube is inserted into the patient so that its distal end is provided within or adjacent to the space where material is to be removed or delivered, while a proximal portion remains outside the patient's body, where it can be connected, for example, to a suction source.

[0003] Fluids passing through a medical tube (particularly those that include blood or blood platelets) can form clots or other obstructions within the tube, which can partially or completely block the suction path inside the tube. Obstruction of the medical tube can affect its effectiveness in removing or delivering the fluid and other material for which it was originally intended, eventually rendering the tube partially or completely non-functional. In some cases, a non-functional tube can have serious or potentially fatal consequences. Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, page 113 / 205 2 / 32 For example, if there is a blockage in a chest tube after heart or lung surgery, the resulting accumulation of fluid around the heart and lungs without adequate drainage can cause serious adverse events, such as pericardial tamponade and pneumothorax.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 7,951,243, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a clearance device for clearing medical tubing (such as chest tubes) of obstructive clot material. This device utilizes a shuttle installed over a guide tube to actuate a clearance member within the tube by means of a magnetic coupling between the shuttle and a magnetic guide attached to a guide wire (and corresponding clearance member) within the tube. Based on the arrangement of the magnetic elements in the shuttle and the magnetic guide, it is possible for the shuttle to detach from the magnetic guide during use. For example, this decoupling may occur when there is an obstruction, such as a kink or significant clot material in the medical tubing, such that the drag on the guide wire within the tube is stronger than the magnetic coupling force between the shuttle and the magnetic guide.The designs presented here address this decoupling and provide improved magnetic coupling between the shuttle and the magnetic guide. BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0005] According to a first aspect, a device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube is disclosed. The device includes a shuttle defining a tube passage configured to accommodate a tube therein and adapted to translate along a length of the tube when accommodated in the passage. The shuttle includes a first primary magnetic element aligned so that a first primary magnetic field axis of a first primary magnetic field thereto is aligned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube passage when viewed from a side of the shuttle.

[0006] According to a second aspect, a device for Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 114 / 205 3 / 32 Clearing Obstructions includes a shuttle adapted for traversing along a length of pipe. The shuttle includes a passage body defining a pipe passage having a longitudinal axis configured to accommodate a pipe therein. A first primary magnet recess is disposed in the passage body outside the pipe passage. A first primary magnetic element is received in the first primary magnet recess and has a first primary magnetic field emanating along a first primary field axis that is radially aligned with respect to the aforementioned longitudinal axis. A knob is operable to slide the first primary magnetic element within the first primary magnet recess between a first position radially distant from the pipe passage, and a second position radially close to the pipe passage.

[0007] According to a third aspect, a method for clearing obstructions in a medical tube is disclosed. The method involves translating a shuttle disposed outside a tube along a length thereof to correspondingly translate an elongated guide member that is at least partially disposed inside the tube and magnetically coupled to the shuttle member through a wall of the tube. A magnetic field emanating from the shuttle is aligned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube when viewed from a side of the shuttle.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect, a device for clearing obstructions includes a shuttle defining a pipe passage configured to accommodate a pipe therein and adapted to translate along a length of the pipe when accommodated in the passage. A first primary magnetic element of the shuttle is adjustable in order to adjust a coupling force between the first primary magnetic element and a magnetic guide disposed within the pipe when received through the pipe passage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pages 115 / 205 4 / 32

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective illustration showing a clearance device attached to a medical tube (e.g., a chest tube) that has been placed in a patient, to allow clearance of the medical tube of obstructions formed in it.

[0010] Figure 2 is a partially cutaway view of a debugging device;

[0011] Figures 3A and 3B are schematic representations of magnetic fields between magnetic elements in a magnetic guide and magnetic elements in a shuttle of a cleaning device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube. Figure 3A illustrates a first arrangement of the magnetic elements and Figure 3B illustrates a second arrangement of the magnetic elements according to the embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0012] Figure 4 is a side view of a debugging device having a shuttle according to an embodiment described below;

[0013] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the shuttle in the debugging device of Figure 4;

[0014] Figure 6A is a partially exploded view of the debugging device in Figure 4;

[0015] Figure 6B is a close-up view of a magnetic guide of the debugging device of Figure 4 shown in B in Figure 6A;

[0016] Figure 7 is an exploded view of the shuttle in Figure 5;

[0017] Figure 8 is an additional partially exploded view of the shuttle in Figure 5, with the entire shuttle housing removed;

[0018] Figure 9 is an approximate exploded view showing an arrangement of secondary magnetic elements and a secondary shield of the shuttle in Figure 5, with other shuttle elements. Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pages 116 / 205 5 / 32 removed;

[0019] Figure 10 is an approximate exploded view showing an arrangement of drive magnets, a drive guard, a spring and a shuttle button in Figure 5, again with other shuttle elements removed;

[0020] Figure 11 is a perspective view, in side section of the shuttle along line AA in Figure 5;

[0021] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the shuttle along line BB in Figure 5;

[0022] Figure 13 is a perspective view, in side section, showing the shuttle drive magnets in Figure 5 in a first position, opposite the secondary magnetic elements in relation to a tube passage 40, with other portions of the shuttle removed;

[0023] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view as in Figure 13 with the drive magnets in a second position;

[0024] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional perspective of the shuttle according to an alternative embodiment;

[0025] Figures 16-18 are perspective views of a clearance device coupled to a chest tube schematically showing the shuttle and, correspondingly, the guide wire and clearance limb, at different stages of advancement to clear chest tube obstructions, ranging from fully advanced in Figure 16 to fully withdrawn in Figure 18. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Certain terminology is used in this document for convenience only and should not be taken as a limitation of the present invention. The relevant language used in this document is best understood with reference to the figures. Additionally, in the figures, certain features may be shown schematically.

[0027] It should be noted that the terms proximal and distal, Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, p. 117 / 205 6 / 32 as used in this document when describing two ends or portions of a feature, indicate a relative positioning that those two ends or portions will generally have along an in-line system in relation to a patient, with the distal end or portion being closer to (or further inside) the patient than the proximal end or portion. For example, in an in-line system comprising a tube that draws fluid from the patient through the tube along a flow path, a distal end or portion of the tube will be closer to (likely implanted inside) a patient than a proximal end or portion, which will be outside the patient along the fluid flow path.

[0028] The examples will now be described in more detail below with reference to the attached figures in which examples of embodiments are shown. However, the aspects can be incorporated in many different forms and should not be interpreted as limited to the embodiments set out in this document.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a medical tube used to drain accumulated fluid from within a patient's body cavity, according to an embodiment. In Figure 1, the medical tube is inserted and used to drain fluid from the patient's thoracic cavity and may be, for example, a thoracic tube 10 described in the patent '243 incorporated above. The remaining description will be provided with reference to a thoracic tube 10. However, other body tubes used in other applications may also be used with the embodiments described in this document.

[0030] Referring back to Figure 1, the chest tube 10 enters the patient through the wall of the thoracic cavity (body), so that its distal end is positioned inside the thorax (body) in a location from where fluid should be drained. The proximal end of the chest tube 10 remains outside the body. The chest tube 10 can be inserted into the patient in a manner Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 118 / 205 A conventional 7 / 32 chest tube is positioned and secured in place through the wall of the thoracic cavity by a physician. A clearance device 100 is fitted to the proximal end of the chest tube 10. The clearance device 100 may include a shuttle guide tube 110 (described below) that is connected to the proximal end of the chest tube 10 and is provided in fluid communication with it. The clearance device 100 also includes a clearance member 124 that can be reversibly advanced into and through the chest tube 10 to remove obstructive debris from it (also described below). The proximal end of the shuttle guide tube 110 (i.e., the end opposite the point of connection with the chest tube 10) is connected to a suction source 200, for example, by means of a vacuum tube 210.The suction source draws suction into the chest tube 10, via the shuttle guide tube 110 (if present) and vacuum tube 210 (if present), both to draw fluid from the body cavity and to maintain normal physiological negative pressure within the chest.

[0031] An example of a debugging device 100 will now be described more fully. As seen in Figure 2, the debugging device 100 may include the shuttle guide tube 110 mentioned above. The shuttle guide tube 110 has a proximal end 111 and a distal end 112. In use, the proximal end 111 of the shuttle guide tube 110 is adapted to be connected to a suction source, preferably by means of a suction fitting 90 attached to its proximal end, and the distal end 112 is adapted to be connected to a medical tube, such as a chest tube 10, preferably by means of a chest tube fitting 92 attached to its distal end. The guide tube 110 has a wall with an inner diameter 114 defining a guide tube passage 116 and an outer circumference 118.A shuttle 20 can be selectively fitted onto the guide tube 110 on its outer circumference 118 and is adapted to translate along the length of the tube 110 to advance and withdraw the debugging member 124 as described in detail below. Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 119 / 205 8 / 32 Figures 1, 2 and 15-17 show shuttle 20 schematically. Figures 4-14 (described in detail below) illustrate an example of an embodiment of shuttle 20.

[0032] A wire clearance assembly 120 is at least partially disposed within the passage of the guide tube 116. The wire clearance assembly 120 includes an elongated guide member 122 and a clearance member 124 disposed of and attached to the distal region of the guide member 122, preferably at its distal end. In one embodiment, the guide member 122 may be in the form of a guide wire and the clearance member 124 may be formed from the guide wire, for example, as a loop. A magnetic guide 130 (e.g., permanent magnets) is attached to the guide member 122, preferably in its proximal region.

[0033] As will be evident in Figure 2, the shuttle 20 is magnetically coupled to the magnetic guide 130 by means of external magnetic elements 142 located within or associated with the shuttle 20. Magnetic elements 142 shown in Figure 2 may be the primary magnetic elements 27 and the secondary magnetic elements 28 (see Figure 7) as described later. When the north and south poles of the external magnetic elements 142 are axially aligned, generally parallel to the corresponding poles (but typically oriented in opposite directions) of the magnets 132 of the magnetic guide 130, the resulting cooperative magnetic fields between the external magnetic elements 142 in the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 are parallel as shown schematically in Figure 3A.

[0034] For magnets of a given magnetic field strength, such parallel magnetic fields, as shown in Figure 3A, may sometimes not be strong enough to resist the decoupling of the shuttle 20 from the magnetic guide 130 when the guide member 122 (or the debugging member 124 connected thereto) encounters a robust obstruction within the medical tube 10, which produces drag against which the guide member 122 Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pages 120 / 205 9 / 32 must translate. When the clearance member 124 encounters such an obstruction, sufficient force must be applied to the clearance member 124 in the X direction (Figure 2) to overcome the resistance (drag) provided by the obstruction. When the clearance member 124 engages debris within the chest tube 10, if the amount of force required to move through the debris exceeds the X-direction component of the magnetic coupling force between the magnetic guide 130 and the external magnetic elements 142 during shuttle translation, then decoupling occurs between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130.

[0035] This loss of magnetic coupling between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 can also occur if a bend in the thoracic tube 10 produces sufficient drag on the guide limb 122 to overcome the magnetic coupling force in the X direction, or for any number of other reasons. Although magnetic coupling can be restored by returning the shuttle 20 to proximity with the magnetic guide 130, one may still encounter decoupling if the reason for their decoupling persists (as in the case of an obstruction).

[0036] Figures 4-14 illustrate a debugging device having an example of a shuttle 20, which produces strong coupling with the magnetic guide 130 through the wall of, for example, a shuttle guide tube 110. As seen in Figure 4, the debugging device 100 may include a shuttle guide tube 110 as mentioned above having a proximal end 111 and a distal end 112. In use, the proximal end 111 of the shuttle guide tube 110 is adapted to be connected to a suction source, preferably by means of a suction fitting 90 attached to its proximal end, and the distal end 112 is adapted to be connected to a medical tube, such as a chest tube 10, preferably by means of a chest tube fitting 92 attached to its distal end. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the distal end 112 of the guide tube 110 may be connected to the medical tube by means of a fitting Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, p. 121 / 205 10 / 32 branched, such as a T-fitting or Y-fitting, wherein the guide tube 110 will form a lateral branch of the main suction circuit defined between the medical tube and a suction source (e.g., through a vacuum tube 210) in communication with a third port of the branched fitting. In this way, the guide wire (discussed below) will be retracted through the guide tube 110 laterally out of the main suction circuit through which secretions are aspirated from the medical tube. Regardless of the particular installation of the guide tube (i.e., in-line or as a branch of the main suction circuit), the shuttle 20 is disposed on, preferably in contact with, the wall of the guide tube 110 on its outer circumference 118 (see Figure 2) and is adapted to translate along the length of the tube 110 in the X direction to advance and withdraw a wire clearance assembly 120 as described below.

[0037] A shuttle stop 150 is attached to the outer circumference 118 of the guide tube 110 in a distal region thereof, preferably just proximal to the distal end of the guide tube 110. The shuttle 20 and the shuttle stop 150 may have complementary first and second surfaces that face each other. As the shuttle 20 is translated distally along the length of the guide tube 110, the shuttle 20 approaches and finally reaches a position where the respective first and second surfaces are in contact or arranged adjacent to each other. This represents the most distal position for the shuttle 20 and therefore the greatest degree of distal advancement of the debugging member 124 within the medical tube 10. Preferably, the position of the shuttle stop 150 is selected, corresponding to the length of the guide member 122, to ensure that the debugging member 124 does not exit the distal end of the medical tube 10 in use.

[0038] The wire debugging assembly 120 is configured to be at least partially disposed within the passage of the guide tube 116. As seen in Figure 6A, the wire debugging assembly 120 includes a member Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, p. 122 / 205 11 / 32 elongated guide 122 and a debugging member 124 disposed of and attached to the distal region of the guide member 122, preferably at its distal end. In one example, the guide member 122 may be in the form of a guide wire and the debugging member 124 may be formed from the guide wire, which may be coiled to form a loop. The remainder of this description is given with reference to a guide wire as a preferred example of the guide member 122. However, other examples of a guide member 122 are possible and will be readily verified by those skilled in the art.

[0039] With reference to Figure 6A, a magnetic guide 130 is attached to the guide wire 122, preferably in the proximal region thereof. The magnetic guide 130 may comprise one or a plurality of internal magnetic elements 132. The magnetic elements 132 are considered internal magnetic elements because they reside within the guide tube 110. Optionally, the internal magnetic elements 132 may be permanent magnets. Alternatively, they may be metallic elements having magnetic properties, which are not necessarily permanent magnets. As used in this document, a metallic element has magnetic properties if it is capable of being attracted by a permanent magnet by means of magnetic forces. The magnetic guide 130 may be attached to the guide wire 122 by any suitable or conventional means. Figure 6B illustrates a close-up view (indicated at B in Figure 6A) of an exemplary magnetic guide 130.In this example, a plurality (four are illustrated) of cylindrical internal magnetic elements 132 having axial through holes are aligned coaxially adjacent to each other. The internal magnetic elements 132 are oriented so that their respective north and south poles are facing the same direction. This results in the internal magnetic elements 132 attracting each other on their adjacent faces. The guide wire 122, extending from its distal end, passes through the axial holes of the internal magnetic elements 132.

[0040] As will also be appreciated, where two or more of these Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pages 123 / 205 12 / 32 internal magnetic elements 132 are used, it is not necessary that both or all be permanent magnets or that both or all be non-permanent magnets. The internal magnetic elements 132 may optionally be present as one (or more) of each permanent and non-permanent magnets. However, in examples where the holding forces between them may be used to keep them in place relative to the guide wire 122, the use of permanent magnets as the internal magnetic elements 132 should produce a stronger attractive force between them, resulting in a more secure hold to the guide wire 122.

[0041] As observed above and more clearly seen in Figure 4, the shuttle 20 is disposed on, preferably in contact with, the outer circumference 118 of the guide tube 110. The shuttle 20 has a tube passage 40, preferably in the form of a through hole having a diameter substantially corresponding to the outer circumference 118, so that the shuttle 20 can translate smoothly by sliding along the length of the guide tube 110 when that tube is received through its tube passage 40. The shuttle 20 includes a shuttle housing, which in the illustrated embodiment (Figure 7) is formed by the first and second opposite shell halves 21 and 22 that form the outer body of the shuttle 20. A pressable button 23 is accessible through, for example, the shuttle housing and is used to actuate drive magnets 27 as described below.

[0042] As illustrated in Figure 7, the shuttle 20 includes a passage body 24, which defines the aforementioned tube passage 40 to accommodate the guide tube 110 (or the medical tube 10 in embodiments where a guide tube 110 is not used). Alternatively, the tube passage 40 may accommodate a vacuum tube 210; for example, if no separate guide tube 110 is interposed between the vacuum tube 210 and the medical tube 10. The tube passage 40 in the passage body 24 preferably has an inner surface that is complementary to and substantially corresponds to the shape of the Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 124 / 205 13 / 32 outer perimeter of the guide tube 110 or, in the case of a cylindrical tube, its outer circumference 118. One or a plurality of primary magnet recesses 33 (two are illustrated) are formed in an outer portion of the passage body 24, outside the tube passage 40 and are distributed in longitudinal alignment with the tube passage 40. The recesses 33 are preferably aligned so that the respective longitudinal axes (magnetic field) of the magnetic elements to be received in them are perpendicular to and intersect the longitudinal axis of the tube passage 40. One or a plurality of primary magnetic elements 27 (e.g., drive magnets) are received within the respective recesses 33 of the passage body 24. In the illustrated example, the primary magnetic elements 27 are cylindrical.In other examples, the primary magnetic elements 27 may have any shape that is suitable for fitting within the primary magnet recesses 33 of the passage body 24. These recesses 33 may have any desired shape.

[0043] As with the internal magnetic elements 132 discussed above, the primary magnetic elements 27 may be permanent magnets or, alternatively, metallic elements having magnetic properties that are not necessarily permanent magnets. However, for reasons that will become clear, at least one of the internal magnetic elements 132 or at least one of the primary magnetic elements 27 must be a permanent magnet. In preferred examples, both the internal and primary magnetic elements 132 and 27 are permanent magnets. Additionally, the magnetic guide 130 and the primary magnetic elements 27 may have a residual flux density (Br) of, for example, 14-15 kGs, such as 14.3 to 14.8 kGs.

[0044] Figure 3B schematically illustrates the arrangement of the internal magnetic elements 132 (e.g., of the magnetic guide 130) and the primary magnetic elements 27 when the latter are arranged as in the shuttle embodiment illustrated in Figure 7. (Figure 3B also illustrates Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pages 125 / 205 14 / 32 secondary magnetic elements 28, which will be further described below). As seen in Figures 3B and 7, the primary magnetic elements 27 (housed in the shuttle 20) are preferably radially aligned with respect to the tube passage 40 so that the north and south poles of each are aligned along a radius of the tube passage 40 (and an axis of the particular primary magnetic element 27 when cylindrical) that intersects the longitudinal axis of that passage. When two primary magnetic elements 27 are used as drive magnets, they are arranged so that their respective north and south poles face opposite directions. In other words, the north pole of one primary magnetic element 27 faces the tube passage 40, while the south pole of the other primary magnetic element 27 faces the tube passage 40.This results in the two primary magnetic elements 27 creating a single north pole and a single south pole facing the guide tube 110 when received in this passage 40 along a segment thereof defined by the longitudinal spacing of the primary magnetic elements 27. In this way, and as will be further explained below in relation to Figure 3B, the resulting magnetic fields of the primary magnetic elements 27 can propagate and be aligned substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field of (and towards) the magnetic guide 130, rather than parallel to it. It is desirable that the spacing between the primary magnetic elements 27 be such that their respective longitudinal axes (or magnetic field) are substantially aligned with, and preferably intersect, the respective ends of the north and south poles of the magnetic guide 130 along a longitudinal axis of the magnetic guide 130.Preferably, the south pole of the first primary magnetic element 27 is facing the north pole of the magnetic guide 130 and the north pole of a second primary magnetic element 27 is facing the south pole of the magnetic guide 130.

[0045] As illustrated in Figures 7 and 9, shuttle 20 additionally includes one or a plurality of magnetic elements. Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pages 126 / 205 15 / 32 secondary elements 28 radially opposed to the primary magnetic elements 27 with respect to the tube passage 40 of the passage body 24. Preferably, the secondary magnetic elements 28 are received within corresponding secondary magnetic recesses 34 formed in an external portion of the passage body 24, outside the tube passage 40, opposite to the respective primary magnetic recesses 33 and aligned with them along common radial axes with respect to the passage 40. In the illustrated example, the secondary magnetic elements 28 are cylindrical. In other examples, the secondary magnetic elements 28 may have any shape that is suitable for fitting within the secondary magnet recesses 34 of the passage body 24. The secondary magnetic elements 28 may also be permanent magnets or, alternatively, metallic elements having magnetic properties that are not necessarily permanent magnets.However, for reasons that will become clear, at least one of the internal magnetic elements 132 or at least one of the secondary magnetic elements 28 must be a permanent magnet. In preferred examples, both the internal and secondary magnetic elements 132 and 28 are permanent magnets. Additionally, the magnetic guide 130 and the secondary magnetic elements 28 may have a residual flux density (Br) of, for example, 14-15 kGs, such as 14.3 to 14.8 kGs.

[0046] In preferred embodiments, the secondary magnetic elements 28 will be longitudinally spaced similarly (i.e., so that their respective axes align and are coaxial), but oriented opposite to the opposing primary magnetic elements 27. That is, the north / south pole orientation of each secondary magnetic element 28 must be opposite to that of its opposing primary magnetic element 27, so that the opposite poles of the respective opposing primary and secondary magnetic elements 27 and 28 face opposite to the passage of tube 40.

[0047] As is the case with magnetic elements Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 127 / 205 16 / 32 primary 27, the secondary magnetic elements 28 are radially aligned with respect to the tube passage 40, so that the north and south poles of each secondary magnetic element 28 are aligned along a radius of the tube passage 40 (and an axis of the particular secondary magnetic element 28 when cylindrical) that intersects the longitudinal axis of that passage. Thus, similarly to the above and further explained below in relation to Figure 3B, the resulting magnetic fields of the secondary magnetic elements 28 will propagate and be aligned substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field of (and towards) the magnetic guide 130, rather than parallel to it.Preferably, each secondary magnetic element 28 is also aligned along a common radial axis (relative to the tube passage 40) with an opposite primary magnetic element 27, so that their opposite magnetic fields are aligned along their common radial axis and propagate to each other through the passage body 24.

[0048] In the embodiments illustrated, only one set of opposing primary and secondary magnets 27 and 28 is provided, aligned along a single radius of the tube passage 40 when viewed from the front (i.e., along the longitudinal axis of that passage 40). However, optionally, a plurality of sets of opposing primary and secondary magnets 27 and 28 may be distributed circumferentially with respect to the tube passage 40, aligned along the respective circumferentially indexed radii of that passage 40 -- i.e., so that the circumferentially adjacent of the respective radii would define an arc sector of the passage 40 when viewed from the front along its longitudinal axis.For example, two sets of opposing primary and secondary magnets 27 and 28 can be provided, wherein each set is aligned along a respective radius of the tube passage 40 perpendicular to the radius along which the other set is aligned -- so that the two radii define four arc segments of equal quadrants of the tube passage 40 when viewed from the front along. Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, p. 128 / 205 17 / 32 of its longitudinal axis.

[0049] The opposing primary and secondary magnetic elements 27 and 28 provide a strong magnetic coupling to the magnetic guide 130 fixed to the guide member 122 inside the guide tube 110 (or medical tube 10) to drive the guide member 122 inside that tube by means of the translation of the shuttle 20 outside the tube 110, as will be further explained below. To reduce interference with surrounding electronic medical equipment or implanted medical devices, the shuttle 20 may incorporate magnetic shielding (e.g., within its housing). For example, a primary magnetic shield 25 may be disposed over exposed surfaces of the primary magnetic elements 27, between them and the knob 23 used to adjust them between the first and second positions, as will be described.Similarly, a secondary magnetic shield 29 may be provided over the exposed surfaces of the secondary magnetic elements 28 (e.g., covering them within the secondary magnetic recesses 34). As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the shuttle 20 may additionally include side shielding 30 enclosing the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27 and 28 within the shuttle 20. As shown, the side shielding 30 may be a U-shaped element extending from one side of the passage body 24 to the opposite side of the passage body 24, around one end of the passage body 24. The side shielding 30 includes openings 31 sized to fit over protrusions 32 extending from opposite sides of the passage body 24 (e.g., from fins 35 formed thereon).By aligning the side shield 30 so that the protrusions 32 are trapped within the openings 31, proper and secure alignment of the shield 30 can be ensured.

[0050] The fins 35 extend laterally from the passage body 24 and are dimensioned to properly seat the side shield 30 uniformly adjacent to the passage body 24. Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, p. 129 / 205 18 / 32 a predetermined distance from the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27, 28. This is useful when the shield 30 is made of a ferromagnetic material (e.g., low carbon steel), which in the absence of such fins 35 to properly seat and preserve its shape could be pulled and deformed by the magnetic fields of the primary and secondary magnets 27 and 28. The fins 35 and their associated protrusions also facilitate proper and reproducible alignment and protection of the side shield 30 over the passage body 24 to prevent misalignment. Furthermore, by fixing the seating position and orientation of the side shield 30, the fins 35 ensure that the shield 30 remains evenly spaced and does not touch the magnets 27, 28 or any field-conducting structures that communicate with the magnets, which could produce field deviation.Instead, spaced as described, the side shield 30 will provide far-field magnetic shielding to substantially confine the magnetic fields within the shuttle and minimize leakage of these fields.

[0051] The primary and secondary magnetic shields 25, 29 and the side shield 30 are preferably made of low-carbon steel. In other examples, they may be made of any high-iron material, for example, conventional Mu-Metal materials as known in the art. As will be appreciated, the primary magnetic shield 25, the secondary magnetic shield 29 and the side shield 30 cooperate to magnetically shield the primary and secondary magnets 27 and 28 within the shuttle 20, inhibiting the propagation of their magnetic fields beyond the shuttle 20. Although the combined shielding, as described, cannot completely enclose the magnetic elements 27 and 28 (because they must magnetically interact with the magnetic guide 130 and accommodate the tube passage 40), it will help to reduce the propagation and strength of the magnetic fields beyond the shuttle 20.It is also noted that when the shuttle 20 is fitted onto a tube and aligned with the magnetic guide 130 on the same, the combined shielding as described also shields the fields emanating from the guide. Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 130 / 205 19 / 32 magnetic 130 (now arranged within the shuttle 20), effectively redirecting internally the combined magnetic fields emanating from the complete magnetic circuit encompassing the interaction of the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27 and 28 with the magnetic guide 130. As a result, the magnetic coupling force with the magnetic guide 130 can be increased.

[0052] It has been found that adjusting the thickness of the primary and secondary magnetic shields 25, 29 (e.g., made of low-carbon steel) can affect the strength of the magnetic coupling with the magnetic guide 130. For example, increasing the thickness of the primary magnetic shield 25 will result in greater deflection of the respective magnetic fields from one primary magnetic element 27 to the other; effectively helping to drive the combined primary magnetic fields radially inward toward the axis of the tube passage 40 (and the magnetic guide 130). This will tend to strengthen the coupling force between the primary magnetic elements 27 and the magnetic guide 130 within a tube received through the tube passage 40. Similarly, increased thickness of the secondary magnetic shield 29 will produce greater deflection of the respective magnetic fields between the secondary magnetic elements 28.This will strengthen the magnetic coupling between the secondary magnetic elements 28 and the magnetic guide 130. It may be useful to adjust the thicknesses of the respective primary and secondary magnetic shields 25,29 in order to optimize the coupling with the magnetic guide 130. That is, the increased coupling force between the primary magnetic elements 27 and the magnetic guide 130 can produce a stronger available translational (axial) force for the guide member 122 (and the debugging member 124) connected to the magnetic guide 130, by means of the translation of the shuttle 20. However, this increased coupling force will also increase the transverse (radial) forces between the magnetic guide 130 and the inner diameter of the tube wall, leading to increased friction. The increased coupling force between the... Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 131 / 205 20 / 32 secondary magnetic elements 28 and the magnetic guide 130 can reduce this effect by moving the magnetic guide 130 away from the tube wall adjacent to the primary magnetic elements 27. By adjusting the relative thicknesses between the primary and secondary magnetic shields 25, 29, these competing effects (translational force available through the coupling, versus friction) can be optimized. For low carbon steel, the shield thickness is preferably within the range of 0.01 to 0.25 inches, more preferably 0.025 to 0.175 inches for the primary and secondary magnetic shields 25 and 29. Meanwhile, increasing the thickness of the side shield independently can help reduce the leakage of magnetic fields emanating from inside the shuttle to the external environment.

[0053] Figure 3B schematically illustrates the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27 and 28 oriented and aligned as disclosed, in relation to (example of internal magnetic elements 132) of the magnetic guide 130 and their resulting and cooperative magnetic fields. As seen in the figure, the magnetic fields of the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27 and 28 propagate along axes aligned perpendicularly to the axis of the magnetic field emanating from the magnetic guide 130 (for example, from elements 132 thereof). It has been found that with the magnetic fields aligned in this way, the magnetic attraction between the shuttle 20 (through its primary / secondary magnetic elements 27, 28) and the magnetic guide 130 can be quite strong, resulting in better coupling between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 during use.Consequently, more force can be applied to the scrubbing limb 124 in the X direction without disengaging the shuttle 20 from the magnetic guide, in order to overcome the drag resistance introduced by an obstruction encountered by the scrubbing limb 124 within the thoracic tube 10.

[0054] For example, a conventional shuttle 20 having high field strength rare earth neodymium magnets configured as rings, Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, page 132 / 205 21 / 32 as described in patent '243, coupled to neodymium magnets of similar composition in the magnetic guide 130, typically delivers approximately 0.4 lbf of translational force to the debugging member 124 in the X direction before the shuttle 20 disengages from the magnetic guide 130. This is the amount of force available to overcome the drag introduced by an obstruction in the medical tube 10. Whereas by using the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27 and 28 aligned to orient their opposing magnetic fields radially towards the magnetic guide 130 against a similarly constructed magnetic guide 130 as disclosed herein, the shuttle 20 shown in this document delivers up to approximately 1.2 lbf of translational force to the debugging member 124 before disengaging from the magnetic guide 130; that is, about three times the translational force available compared with the prior art device.The greater translational force available is a result of a stronger magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements in the shuttle 20 and those in the magnetic guide 130 during use, which is believed to be a result of the orientation of the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27 and 28 as disclosed in this document. The result is a greater ability to overcome and clear robust obstructions in the medical tube 10 and a reduced incidence of shuttle uncoupling.

[0055] Additionally, it is believed that both the primary and secondary magnetic shields 25 and 29 help to strengthen the effective magnetic attraction between the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27 and 28, respectively, and the magnetic guide 130. Specifically, the primary magnetic shield 25 couples the opposite poles of the adjacent primary magnetic elements 27, which reinforces their magnetic fields by completing a circuit between the primary magnetic elements 27. The secondary magnetic shield 29 acts similarly to reinforce the magnetic fields of the secondary magnetic elements 28 by completing a circuit between them. This results in a greater ability to overcome and Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 133 / 205 22 / 32 eliminate obstructions in the medical tube 10 and a reduced incidence of shuttle uncoupling.

[0056] As will be appreciated, the maximum available magnitude of strong magnetic coupling between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 through the tube wall will not be required at all times to translate the debugging member 124. For example, in the absence of obstructions or in the presence of minor obstructions, a minimum coupling force may be required to translate the debugging member 124. In such cases, the maximum coupling force between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 may be undesirable because it will increase the frictional force against the sliding of the shuttle 20 along the tube 110, thus making the device 100 more cumbersome to use routinely. It will also increase the frictional force between the internal magnetic guide 130 and the tube ID 110.Consequently, the shuttle 20 includes a mechanism for operating with reduced magnetic coupling force and for increasing the magnitude of the coupling force to a maximum degree only when desired by the operator to clear or bypass a robust obstruction in the medical tube 10.

[0057] Specifically, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 10 and noted above, the shuttle 20 includes the pressable button 23, for example, disposed on a face of the primary magnetic shield 25 opposite the primary magnetic elements 27. In one example, the button 23 includes a protrusion 36 extending from its lower part through a central opening 37 in the primary magnetic shield 25 and through a spring 26 positioned between the primary magnetic elements 27. Opposite the primary magnetic shield 25, the spring 26 is seated and rests against the passage body 24, for example, within a radial passage or spring recess 38 defined between the primary magnet recesses 33. In this way, the spring 26 propels the primary magnetic shield 25 and the button 23 on its opposite face to a position radially distant from the passage body 24. Preferably, the primary magnetic elements 27 are adhered (by) Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 134 / 205 23 / 32 example, by means of magnetic interaction) to the lower surface of the magnetic shield, so that the primary magnetic elements 27 are similarly propelled radially away from the tube passage 40, corresponding to a first position of the primary magnetic elements 27 (Figure 13) as described below. Since pressing the button 23 radially inwards actuates the primary magnetic shield 25 and the attached primary magnetic elements 27 radially inwards, against the spring bias, preferably until they are seated against the respective floors of the recesses of the primary magnet 33 in a second position of those elements 27 (Figure 14), also described below.

[0058] As illustrated, for example, in Figures 11 and 13, the secondary magnetic elements 28 are fixed within the secondary magnet recesses 34 of the passage body 24. On the other hand, the primary magnetic elements 27 can be adjusted through a range of radial positions relative to the tube passage 40 of the passage body 24, for example, between the first and second positions mentioned above. Since the radial positions of the secondary magnetic elements 28 are fixed, the available field strength of the secondary magnetic elements 28 to translate the magnetic guide 130 (and therefore the debugging member 124) is not manually adjustable. However, the available field strength of the primary magnetic elements 27 to drive the magnetic guide 130 can be manually adjusted by operating the knob 23, thus adjusting the primary magnetic elements 27 between the first and second positions as will be further explained later.

[0059] With reference to Figure 13, the primary magnetic elements 27 are shown in the first position (at rest). With the magnetic guide 130 disposed within the tube passage 40 of the shuttle 20 (inside the tube 110 received through it), the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27, 28 are magnetically attracted to the magnetic guide 130 from opposite radial directions. And as the shuttle 20 translates along the Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pages 135 / 205 24 / 32 guide tube 110, the magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements 27, 28 of the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 induces the movement of the clearing limb 124 within the thoracic tube 10, for example, to remove obstructions within the thoracic tube 10. This translational movement with the primary magnetic elements 27 in their first (rest) position, away from the tube passage 40, is generally sufficient for routine clearing of the thoracic tube 10 at predetermined intervals.

[0060] However, if the scrubbing member 124 encounters a robust obstruction within the thoracic tube 10, additional force in the X direction may be required to traverse or dislodge the obstruction and continue to translate the scrubbing member 124 along its course through the thoracic tube 10. In such cases, button 23 can be pressed to thus advance the primary magnetic elements 27 radially inward, towards or to their second position, seated within the respective primary magnet recesses 33 adjacent to the tube passage 40. In such a radially advanced position (e.g., their second), the primary magnetic elements 27 become further back within the recesses 33, closer to the magnetic guide 130 within the tube 110 received in the tube passage 40 from the shuttle 20, as illustrated in Figure 14.When the primary magnetic elements 27 are located closer to the magnetic guide 130, the magnetic attraction force between the primary magnetic elements 27 and the magnetic guide 130 is increased, which allows the shuttle 20 to apply a stronger translational force to the debugging member 124 in the X direction before disengaging from the magnetic guide 130.

[0061] While the primary magnetic elements 27 are shown in the first and second positions in Figures 13 and 14, it will be appreciated that these positions represent the limits of the adjustable range. The primary magnetic elements 27 can be adjusted to any point between these positions to produce the adjustment corresponding to the coupling force. Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pages 136 / 205 25 / 32 magnetic between the primary magnetic elements 27 and the magnetic guide 130. For example, if a slight increase in the available force in the X direction is desired, button 23 can be pressed only slightly, for example, to reduce the radial distance between the primary magnetic elements 27 and the magnetic guide 130 by 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% or some other fraction less than 100%. If additional force is desired in the X direction, button 23 can be pressed further, for example, to further reduce this radial distance, such as by 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50% or more. A user can press button 23 and decrease the distance between the primary magnetic elements 27 and the magnetic guide 130 by any value between the first and second positions of the primary magnetic elements 27.Spring 26 pushes button 23 (and primary magnetic elements 27) into the fully radially retracted position (i.e., 'rest') and thus opposes any depression of button 23. In this way, a user can adjust the degree of field strength increase by modulating the degree to which button 23 is pressed against the spring bias. And once the operation is complete, spring 26 returns button 23 (and primary magnetic elements 27) to the fully radially retracted 'rest' position.

[0062] In one example, the radial distance (relative to the tube passage 40) between the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27, 28 (with the primary magnetic elements 27 fully radially engaged and seated against their respective primary magnet recess floors) is 0.5 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.85 inches, 0.95 inches, or 1 inch; for example, depending on the diameter of the tube passage 40 adapted to accommodate a given tube 110 therein. By positioning the magnetic guide 130 between the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27, 28, theoretically the magnetic guide 130 could be magnetically, radially suspended in a generally central position within the tube 110 inside the tube passage 40. Although this theoretical possibility is typically not realized in practice, the fact that the magnetic guide 130 is, not Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 137 / 205 26 / 32 nevertheless, drawn in opposite directions between the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27, 28 can reduce the frictional forces between the magnetic guide 130 and the guide tube passage as the shuttle 20 is operated to translate the debugging member 124. As a result, the amount of force available for translation in the X direction of the debugging member 124 can be increased after the translation of the shuttle 20 along the tube 110.

[0063] In order to maximize the field strength (if desired) between one (or both) of the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27, 28 and the magnetic guide 130 within a tube 110 received in the tube passage 40, the radial distance between them should be as small as possible. In one example, the radial distance between, for example, the primary magnetic elements 27 and the magnetic guide 130 can be reduced by introducing openings 41 in the base wall of each primary magnetic recess 33, thus effectively reducing the outer diameter of the tube passage 40 in the vicinity of the respective recess 33 so that the primary magnetic elements 27 can be driven radially further inward. This is shown in Figure 12.By removing a portion of the passage body 24 that constitutes the circumferential wall of the tube passage 40 in the vicinity of the recesses 33, the primary magnetic elements 27 can be seated more radially inward, closer to the inner diameter (or even partially within) of the tube passage 40. Also optionally, if desired, similar openings can be provided in the floor of each secondary magnetic recess 34 to allow a greater degree of radially inward fixation of the secondary magnetic elements 28. However, in practice, these openings in the floors of the secondary magnetic recesses 34 are less preferred because some degree of spacing is desirable to decrease their coupling force (and therefore the resulting frictional force against the translation of the shuttle 20 or the magnetic guide 130) when a stronger coupling is not required to overcome an obstruction in the tube (by means of pressing the button 23). Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pages 138 / 205 27 / 32

[0064] In the embodiments described, the coupling force of the magnetic fields between the primary magnetic elements 27 in the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 within a receiving tube in the tube passage 40 can be adjusted by adjusting the radial position of the primary magnetic elements 27. Previous embodiments also disclose two primary magnetic elements 27 and two secondary magnetic elements 28. However, an alternative embodiment of the shuttle 20 may have only one primary magnetic element 27 opposite a secondary magnetic element 28 along a common radius relative to the tube passage 40 as already described. Additionally, the primary magnetic element(s) 27 need not be adjustable. Instead, the primary magnetic element(s) may be in a fixed position.

[0065] Figure 15 illustrates a partial cutaway view of a shuttle 20 as described above, but in which the primary magnetic elements 27 are not adjustable. In this embodiment, the coupling force between the primary magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 will not be adjustable. This embodiment is desirable from the point of view of ease of manufacture, although it does not have adjustable coupling force with the magnetic guide 130 as in other disclosed embodiments.

[0066] Referring now to Figures 16-18, a clearance device 100 as described in this document is shown fitted to a chest tube 10 by means of a chest tube fitting 92 which ensures a tight connection between the distal end of the shuttle guide tube 110 and the proximal end of the chest tube 10, while providing fluid communication between the chest tube passage and the guide tube passage 116. The chest tube 10 has a wall having an outer circumference and an inner diameter which defines a chest tube passage.

[0067] With the clearance device 100 and the chest tube 10 fitted as described above, the guide limb 122 and the clearance limb 124 disposed at its distal end can be advanced and Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 139 / 205 28 / 32 removed from the thoracic tube 10 to assist in cleaning debris from it, as follows. In use, the magnetic guide 130 and the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27, 28 of the shuttle 20 are magnetically attracted and coupled to each other when the shuttle 20 is properly fitted or positioned over the guide tube 110. This results in the coupling of the magnetic guide 130 to the shuttle 20 by means of magnetic forces acting through the wall of the guide tube 110. Consequently, longitudinal sliding or translation of the shuttle 20 along the length of the guide tube of the shuttle 110 induces a corresponding translational movement of the magnetically coupled magnetic guide 130 and of the guide member 122 that is attached to the magnetic guide 130. In Figure 16, the shuttle 20 (shown schematically) is illustrated in a first position, in contact with the shuttle stop 150.The length of the guide member 122 between its distal end and the point where it is attached to the magnetic guide 130 is preferably selected to substantially equal the length of the thoracic tube 10 plus the length corresponding to the distance between the shuttle stop 150 and the point where the thoracic tube 10 engages with the fitting 92. In this embodiment, when the shuttle 20 is positioned against the shuttle stop 150 (having the magnetic guide 130 in tandem with it along the length of the guide tube 110), the clearance member 124 at the distal end of the guide member 122 is disposed within the thoracic tube 10 adjacent to its distal end and does not emerge from the thoracic tube 10 into the body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, this is the first position of the clearance member 124, where it normally rests when the clearance device 100 is not being used to actively remove debris from the thoracic tube 10.

[0068] In operation, with the thoracic tube 10 (its distal end) inserted into a patient's body cavity and the shuttle guide tube 110 being connected to a suction source 200 at its proximal end, fluid from the body cavity is drawn in and Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pages 140 / 205 29 / 32 through the passage of the thoracic tube, then through the passage of the guide tube 116 to be collected or disposed of in any suitable or conventional manner, such as in a conventional collection vessel (not shown). (Alternatively, as noted above, the guide tube 110 may be branched off from the main suction circuit defined between a medical tube 10 and a vacuum tube 210, in which case the body cavity fluid will be aspirated primarily through this main suction circuit and not through the guide tube 110). In the illustrated embodiment, the clearance member 124 is in the form of a wire loop that scrapes the inner diameter of the thoracic tube 10 as it travels along the length of the thoracic tube 10.

[0069] As noted above, the clearance member 124 (e.g., a loop) is normally disposed adjacent to the distal end of the thoracic tube 10 within the thoracic tube passage. To help clear the chest tube 10 of clots and other debris 400 accumulated therein, the shuttle 20 is placed over the tube 110 so that it is magnetically coupled to the magnetic guide 130 inside the tube 110. When thus fitted, and once magnetically coupled with the magnetic guide 130 inside the tube 110, a nurse, doctor or other operator pulls the shuttle 20 proximally along the length of the guide tube 110, towards the proximal end of the tube 110. The attractive magnetic force between the magnetic guide 130 and the primary and secondary magnetic elements 27, 28 of the shuttle retains the magnetic guide 130 in tandem with the shuttle 20 as the latter translates proximally.This, in turn, pulls the guide limb 122 and the clearance limb 124 proximally through the chest tube passage as seen in Figure 17. As the clearance limb 124 is pulled proximally, it envelops clot material and other debris 400 in its path and forces such material and debris proximally (Figures 17, 18), towards the proximal end of the chest tube passage and finally out of that passage, into the guide tube passage. Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 141 / 205 30 / 32 116 (Figure 18). To perform this operation, preferably the operator holds the shuttle 20 with one hand and the proximal end of the guide tube 110 with the other hand so that the traction force applied to the shuttle 20 is applied against a counterforce applied to the tube 110 by means of the other hand, and not against the sutures that retain the chest tube 10 in place in the patient. Alternatively, the same objective can be achieved by holding a different portion of the guide tube 110, or the shuttle stop 150, with the other hand before sliding the shuttle 20. Optionally, the clearance limb 124 can be alternately withdrawn and advanced into / from the chest tube passage to help break up clot material or other debris, as well as to assist in the extraction of such debris proximally.Once the debugging operation is complete, shuttle 20 can be used to restore magnetic guide 130 and, consequently, debugging member 124, to its rest position.

[0070] If additional translational force is desired to traverse or dislodge a robust clot within the chest tube 10, the user can press button 23 on the shuttle 20 to radially advance the primary magnetic elements 27 towards the tube passage 40 there, thereby strengthening the field between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130.

[0071] In embodiments where such a button 23 is provided, it has been described as actuating both primary magnetic elements 27 shown in the figures simultaneously. However, in selected embodiments, a primary magnetic element 27 may normally (or full-time) be fully radially advanced (or set) towards or against the tube passage 40 of the passage body 24, wherein the actuation of the button 23 advances (or retracts) a second (or more) primary magnetic element(s) 27 to adjust the coupling field strength. Or a plurality of buttons 23 may be provided, as described, one for each primary magnetic element 27, such that these elements Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, page 142 / 205 31 / 32 magnetic elements 27 can be individually and selectively advanced radially in order to adjust the coupling force with the magnetic guide 130 within a tube received through the tube passage 40. Additionally, although button 23 has been described as a push button 23, it can be replaced by a rocker switch or other type of switch to radially advance the primary magnetic element(s) 27. Optionally, for example, button 23 (or other switch) may include a locking feature to lock it in the fully radially advanced position (or in a different, e.g., user-selected degree of advance), if desired.

[0072] As will be appreciated, while the shuttle 20 is being used to actuate a debugging member 124 within a medical tube 10, if it becomes uncoupled from the magnetic guide 130 within the guide tube 110, the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 can be magnetically re-coupled by advancing the shuttle 20 forward (or backward) until the magnetic coupling is re-established. Alternatively, the operator can squeeze the chest tube 10 or the guide tube 110 to manually engage the guide member 122 through the tube wall and hold it in position while the shuttle 20 is translated so as to magnetically re-engage the magnetic guide 130 through the guide tube wall 110.In addition to facilitating the translation of the guide member 122 by means of magnetic coupling between the (magnetic elements of the) shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130, the disclosed embodiments also facilitate the rotation of the guide member 122 within the thoracic tube 10 / guide tube 110 by rotating the shuttle 20 around the outside of that tube. The transversely aligned magnetic fields of the respective first and second opposing magnetic elements 27, 28 within the shuttle 20 are magnetically coupled to the magnetic guide 130 in a fixed orientation. Therefore, rotating the shuttle 20 around the tube correspondingly rotates the magnetic guide 130 (and the guide member 122 to which it is attached) within the tube as a result of this fixed orientation. This can be useful. Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 143 / 205 32 / 32 to help clear obstructive debris inside the tube, as well as navigate obstructions or twists resulting from bends or flexes in the tube (e.g., due to kinks in it).

[0073] Although the invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed in this document, which are illustrative and not limiting in nature, but should include all modifications and adaptations thereto, as would occur to a person skilled in the art upon reviewing this disclosure, and which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims. Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, pp. 144 / 205

Claims

1 / 4 CLAIMS 1. Device for clearing obstructions, characterized by comprising: a tube defining a passage; a guide member disposed within said passage and configured to translate axially therein; a shuttle disposed outside said passage and defining a tube passage that accommodates said tube therein, said shuttle coupled to said guide member such that the translation of said guide member depends on a movement of the shuttle; a first magnet disposed in the shuttle and emitting a first magnetic field having a first magnetic field axis; a second magnet disposed in the shuttle and emitting a second magnetic field having a second magnetic field axis, said first magnet opposite said second magnet with respect to the tube such that said first and second magnetic field axes are aligned along a common radial axis with respect to the tube passage;and an actuator configured to adjust the coupling intensity between said guide member and said shuttle by means of user input.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the shuttle is at least partially disposed on said guide member.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said shuttle and said guide member are coupled by means of a magnetic attraction that is adjustable through said actuator.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the shuttle comprises a primary magnetic shield.

5. Device, according to claim 4, characterized by Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, p. 145 / 205 2 / 4, wherein the primary magnetic shielding is arranged radially between the actuator and the tube.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the shuttle further comprises a secondary magnetic shield disposed opposite the primary magnetic shield with respect to the tube.

7. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the shuttle further comprises a lateral magnetic shield extending from one side of said tube passage to an opposite side of said tube passage.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the shuttle further comprises a passage body that defines said tube passage, said lateral magnetic shield comprising ferromagnetic material and being supported on a fin that extends laterally from said passage body.

9. Device for clearing obstructions, characterized by comprising: a tube that defines a passage; a guide member disposed within said passage and configured to translate axially therein; a shuttle disposed outside said passage, said shuttle being coupled to said guide member in such a way that the translation of said guide member depends on a movement of the shuttle; and an actuator configured to adjust a coupling intensity between said guide member and said shuttle by means of a user input, said shuttle and said guide member being coupled to each other by means of a magnetic attraction that is adjustable by means of said actuator, said shuttle defining a tube passage that accommodates Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, page.146 / 205 3 / 4 the said tube therein, the said shuttle further comprising a lateral magnetic shield extending from one side of the said tube passage to an opposite side of the said tube passage, the said shuttle further comprising a passage body defining the said tube passage, the said lateral magnetic shield comprising ferromagnetic material and being supported on a fin extending laterally from the said passage body, the fin comprising a protrusion configured to fit within an opening of the said lateral magnetic shield.

10. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said guide member has a third magnet, said first and second magnets together with the third magnet collectively providing said magnetic attraction through a wall of said tube.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said first magnetic field axis is substantially perpendicular to a third magnetic field axis of a third magnetic field emitted by said third magnet.

12. Device, according to claim 10, characterized in that the adjustable coupling intensity is adjusted by moving the first magnet between a first position away from the third magnet and a second position close to the third magnet.

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that said actuator is configured to move the first magnet from the first position towards the second position against an elastic force of a spring.

14. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuator is a button.

15. Device, according to claim 1, characterized by the shuttle comprising a recess formed therein and defined by a base wall and a peripheral wall, wherein the first magnet is disposed within the recess in such a way that the peripheral wall circumferentially surrounds the first magnet, and wherein an opening is formed in the base wall.

16. Device according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising a magnetic shield, wherein said shuttle comprises a passage body that defines the tube passage, and wherein said passage body has a protrusion configured to fit within an opening of said magnetic shield.

17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that a central point of said opening is displaced relative to a longitudinal axis of said pipe passage.

18. Device according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising a third magnet disposed in the shuttle and located adjacent to the first magnet in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tube passage, said third magnet emitting a third magnetic field having a third magnetic field axis, wherein said first and third magnetic field axes are parallel.

19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that a south pole of said first magnet is facing the tube passage, and in that a north pole of said third magnet is facing the tube passage.

20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that a south pole of said second magnet is facing the tube passage. Petition 870260059623, dated 06 / 18 / 2026, p. 148 / 205

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