Device for removing obstructions

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for removing obstructions. The apparatus includes: a first magnet configured to translate along an interior of a tube; a shuttle configured to translate along an exterior of the tube, the shuttle including a second magnet adapted to be magnetically coupled to the first magnet through a wall of the tube via a magnetic coupling force, the magnetic coupling force having an adjustable coupling strength; and an actuator configured to adjust the coupling strength via a user input. The present disclosure provides improved magnetic coupling strength.

Description

[0001] This divisional application is a divisional application of the patent application with Chinese Patent Application No. 202180077302.7 (International Application No. PCT / US2021 / 059687), invention title "Medical Tube Clearing Device", and filing date of November 17, 2021. Technical Field

[0002] The present application generally relates to medical tube assemblies, and more particularly to devices for clearing obstructions from medical tubes of medical tube assemblies. Background Art

[0003] Medical tubes can be used to deliver fluids or devices into a patient's body and / or to drain body fluids and secretions from body compartments and structures. For example, in conjunction with various treatments, medical tubes can be used to drain fluids from the bladder, colon, or other parts of the digestive tract, or from the lungs or other organs. As another example, medical tubes can be used to drain blood and other fluids that typically accumulate in body cavities after trauma surgery. As yet another example, medical tubes can be used to deliver fluids to a patient's body to provide nutrition, or can be used to provide access to the vasculature to remove or deliver fluids or devices. Typically, a medical tube is inserted into a patient's body such that the distal end of the medical tube is disposed in or adjacent to the space where material needs to be removed or delivered, while the proximal portion remains outside the patient's body, where the medical tube can be connected to, for example, a suction source outside the patient's body.

[0004] Fluids flowing through a medical tube, especially fluids including blood or platelets, can form clots or other obstructions within the medical tube, which can partially or completely block the suction path within the tube. Blockage of the medical tube can affect the effectiveness of the medical tube in removing or delivering fluids and other materials for the intended purpose for which the medical tube was placed, ultimately rendering the medical tube partially or completely inoperative. In some cases, an inoperative tube can have serious or potentially life-threatening consequences. For example, if there is a blockage in a chest tube after heart or lung surgery, the accumulation of fluid around the heart and lungs without adequate drainage can lead to serious adverse events such as cardiac tamponade and pneumothorax.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 7,951,243, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a clearing device for removing obstructive clot material from a medical tube (such as a chest tube). The device employs a shuttle mounted on a guide tube to actuate a clearing member within the tube through a magnetic coupling between the shuttle and a magnetic guide attached to a wire within the tube (and the corresponding clearing member). Based on the arrangement of the magnetic elements in the shuttle and the magnetic guide, the shuttle may become decoupled from the magnetic guide during use. For example, such decoupling can occur when there are obstructions in the medical tube, such as bends or significant clot material, such that the resistance on the wire within the tube is stronger than the magnetic coupling force between the shuttle and the magnetic guide. The embodiments disclosed herein address such decoupling and provide an improved magnetic coupling between the shuttle and the magnetic guide. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to a first aspect, a device for removing obstructions from a medical tube is disclosed. The device includes a shuttle that defines a tube passage configured to receive the tube therein and the shuttle is capable of translating along the length of the tube when the tube is received in the tube passage. The shuttle includes a first main magnetic element aligned such that when viewed from the side of the shuttle, a first main magnetic field axis of a first main magnetic field of the first main magnetic element is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube passage.

[0007] According to a second aspect, a device for removing obstructions includes a shuttle capable of translating along the length of a tube. The shuttle includes a channel body that defines a tube passage having a longitudinal axis and the tube passage is configured to receive the tube therein. A first main magnet recess is provided in the channel body outside the tube passage. A first main magnetic element is received in the first main magnet recess and has a first main magnetic field that emanates along a first main field axis aligned radially with respect to the longitudinal axis. A button is operable to slidably adjust the first main magnetic element within the first main magnet recess between a first position radially away from the tube passage and a second position radially closer to the tube passage.

[0008] According to a third aspect, a method for removing obstructions from a medical tube is disclosed. The method includes translating a shuttle disposed outside the tube along the length of the tube to correspondingly translate an elongate guide member disposed at least partially within the tube and magnetically coupled to the shuttle through the tube wall. When viewed from the side of the tube, the magnetic field emanating from the shuttle is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect, a device for removing obstructions includes a shuttle that defines a tube passage configured to receive a tube therein and the shuttle is capable of translating along the length of the tube when the tube is received in the tube passage. A first main magnetic element of the shuttle is adjustable to adjust the coupling strength between the first main magnetic element and a magnetic guide disposed within the tube when the tube is received through the tube passage. Description of the Drawings

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a clearing device coupled to a medical tube (such as a chest tube) that has been placed in a patient's body to allow removal of obstructions formed in the medical tube.

[0011] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the clearing device.

[0012] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of the magnetic field between a magnetic element in a magnetic guide and a magnetic element in a shuttle of a clearing device for removing obstructions from a medical tube. Figure 3A shows a first arrangement of the magnetic elements, Figure 3B shows a second arrangement of the magnetic elements according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0013] Figure 4 is a side view of a clearing device having a shuttle according to an exemplary embodiment described below.

[0014] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a perspective view of the shuttle in the clearing device.

[0015] Figure 6A is Figure 4 a partial exploded view of the clearing device.

[0016] Figure 6B is at Figure 6A as shown at B in Figure 4 an enlarged view of the magnetic guide of the clearing device.

[0017] Figure 7 is Figure 5 an exploded view of the shuttle in.

[0018] Figure 8 is Figure 5 another partial exploded view of the shuttle in, with the entire housing of the shuttle removed.

[0019] Figure 9 is an enlarged exploded view showing the arrangement of the secondary magnetic elements and the secondary shield in the shuttle in Figure 5 with the other elements of the shuttle removed.

[0020] Figure 10 is an enlarged exploded view showing Figure 5 the arrangement of the drive magnet, drive shield, spring and button of the shuttle in , and other elements of the shuttle have also been removed.

[0021] Figure 11 is a perspective side sectional view of the shuttle taken along line A-A in Figure 5

[0022] Figure 12 is a sectional view of the shuttle taken along line B-B in Figure 5

[0023] Figure 13 is a perspective side sectional view showing Figure 5 the drive magnet of the shuttle in the first position in , the drive magnet being opposite the secondary magnetic element with respect to the tube channel 40, and other parts of the shuttle have been removed.

[0024] Figure 14 is a perspective sectional view as in Figure 13 but with the drive magnet in the second position.

[0025] Figure 15 is a perspective sectional view of a shuttle according to an alternative embodiment.

[0026] Figures 16 to 18 is a perspective view of a clearing device coupled to a chest tube, schematically showing the shuttle and corresponding guide wire and clearing member at various different advancement stages for clearing an obstruction from the chest tube, from the full advancement stage in Figure 16 to the full retraction stage in Figure 18 Detailed Description

[0027] Certain terms are used herein for convenience only and should not be considered as limiting the present invention. The relevant language used herein will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, in the drawings, certain features may be shown in schematic form.

[0028] It should be noted that the terms "proximal" and "distal" used herein to describe the two ends or two parts of a certain feature indicate the relative positioning of these two ends or two parts generally along a coaxial system with respect to the patient, and the distal or distal part is closer to the patient (or more advanced into the patient's body) than the proximal or proximal part. For example, in a coaxial system including a tube (for withdrawing fluid from the patient along a flow path via the tube), the distal or distal part of the tube will be closer to (possibly implanted into) the patient than the proximal or proximal part, and the proximal or proximal part will be outside the patient along the fluid flow path.

[0029] ​Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, aspects may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a medical tube for draining accumulated fluid from a patient's body cavity according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. In Figure 1 this case, the medical tube is inserted into the patient's thoracic cavity and is used to drain fluid from the patient's thoracic cavity, and may be, for example, the chest tube 10 described in the incorporated '243 patent above. The remaining description will be provided with reference to the chest tube 10. However, other body tubes used in other applications may also be used with the embodiments described herein.

[0031] Return Figure 1 , the chest tube 10 passes through the thoracic (body) wall and into the patient's body, such that the distal end of the chest tube is located within the chest (body) at the location of the fluid to be drained. The proximal end of the chest tube 10 remains outside the body. The chest tube 10 can be inserted into the patient's body and positioned and fixed in place through the thoracic wall in a conventional manner by a doctor. The cleaning device 100 is assembled to the proximal end of the chest tube 10. The cleaning device 100 may include a shuttle guide tube 110 (described below), which is connected to the proximal end of the chest tube 10 and is in fluid communication with the chest tube. The cleaning device 100 further includes a cleaning member 124, which can be reversibly advanced into the chest tube 10 and through the chest tube to remove obstructive debris from the chest tube (also described below). The proximal end of the shuttle guide tube 110 (i.e., the end opposite the connection point to the chest tube 10) is connected to a suction source 200, for example, via a vacuum tube 210. The suction source performs suction within the chest tube 10 via the shuttle guide tube 110 (if any) and the vacuum tube 210 (if any) to suck fluid out of the body cavity and maintain normal physiological negative pressure within the chest.

[0032] The exemplary cleaning device 100 will now be described more fully. As Figure 2 shown, the cleaning device 100 may include the aforementioned shuttle guide tube 110. 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 via a suction fitting 90 fixed to the proximal end of the shuttle guide tube; the distal end 112 is adapted to be connected to a medical tube, such as the chest tube 10, preferably via a chest tube fitting 92 fixed to the distal end of the shuttle guide tube. The guide tube 110 has a wall with an outer circumference 118 and an inner diameter 114 that defines a guide tube passage 116. A shuttle 20 can be selectively assembled at the outer circumference 118 of the guide tube 110 and is adapted to translate along the length of the tube 110 to advance and retract the cleaning member 124, which will be described in detail below. In Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figures 15 - 17 this case, the shuttle 20 is schematically shown.Figures 4 - 14 (described in detail below) shows an exemplary embodiment of the shuttle 20.

[0033] The wire clearing assembly 120 is disposed at least partially within the guide tube passageway 116. The wire clearing assembly 120 includes an elongate guide member 122 and a clearing member 124, the clearing member being disposed and secured in the distal region of the guide member 122, preferably at the distal end of the guide member. In one embodiment, the guide member 122 may be in the form of a guide wire and the clearing member 124 may be formed from the guide wire, such as formed into a loop. A magnetic guide 130 (e.g., a permanent magnet) is secured to the guide member 122, preferably in the proximal region of the guide member.

[0034] As Figure 2 shown, the shuttle 20 is magnetically coupled to the magnetic guide 130 by means of an external magnetic element 142 located within or associated with the shuttle 20. As described later, Figure 2 the magnetic element 142 shown in Figure 7 may be a primary magnetic element 27 and a secondary magnetic element 28 (see Figure 3A ). When the north and south poles of the external magnetic element 142 are axially (substantially parallel) aligned with the corresponding (but generally oppositely oriented) poles of the magnet 132 of the magnetic guide 130, the cooperative magnetic field generated between the external magnetic element 142 and the magnetic guide 130 in the shuttle 20 is parallel, as

[0035] schematically shown in Figure 3A . For a magnet of a given magnetic field strength, when the guide member 122 (or the clearing member 124 attached to the guide member) encounters a substantial obstruction within the medical tube 10 (which creates a resistance force that the translation of the guide member 122 must overcome), such as Figure 2 shown, this parallel magnetic field may sometimes not be strong enough to prevent the shuttle 20 from decoupling from the magnetic guide 130. When the clearing member 124 encounters such an obstruction, a sufficient force must be applied to the clearing member 124 in the X direction ( Figure 2 ) to overcome the resistance force (resistance) provided by the obstruction. When the clearing member 124 engages debris within the chest tube 10, decoupling occurs between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 if the magnitude of the force required to move through the debris during shuttle translation exceeds the X-direction component of the magnetic coupling force between the magnetic guide 130 and the external magnetic element 142.

[0036] If the bend in the chest tube 10 exerts sufficient resistance on the guide member 122 to overcome the X-direction magnetic coupling force, or for any other reason, such a loss of magnetic coupling between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 may also occur. Although the magnetic coupling can be restored by returning the shuttle 20 near the magnetic guide 130, if the cause of their disengagement persists (such as in the presence of an obstruction), disengagement may still occur.

[0037] Figures 4 - 14 A cleaning device with an exemplary shuttle 20 is shown, where the shuttle forms a strong coupling with the magnetic guide 130 via the wall of, for example, the shuttle guide tube 110. As Figure 4 shown, the cleaning device 100 may include a shuttle guide tube 110 having a proximal end 111 and a distal end 112 as described above. In use, the proximal end 111 of the shuttle guide tube 110 is adapted to be connected to a suction source, preferably via a suction adapter 90 fixed to the proximal end of the shuttle guide tube; the distal end 112 is adapted to be connected to a medical tube, such as the chest tube 10, preferably via a chest tube adapter 92 fixed to the distal end of the shuttle guide tube. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the distal end 112 of the guide tube 110 may be connected to the medical tube via a branched adapter (such as a T-joint or a Y-joint), where the guide tube 110 will form a lateral branch of the main suction circuit defined between the medical tube and the suction source (such as via a vacuum tube 210), communicating with the third port of the branched adapter. In this way, a guide wire (discussed below) will be withdrawn laterally from the main suction circuit via the guide tube 110, and secretions will be aspirated from the medical tube via the main suction circuit. Regardless of the specific guide tube installation method (i.e., whether coaxial or as a branch of the main suction circuit), the shuttle 20 is disposed on the wall of the outer circumference 118 of the guide tube 110 (see Figure 2 ), preferably in contact therewith, and is adapted to translate in the X-direction along the length of the tube 110 to advance and retract the guide wire cleaning assembly 120 as described below.

[0038] In the distal region of the guide tube, a shuttle stopper 150 is fixed to the outer circumference 118 of the guide tube 110, preferably just near the distal end of the guide tube 110. The shuttle 20 and the shuttle stopper 150 may have complementary first and second surfaces facing each other. As the shuttle 20 translates distally along the length of the guide tube 110, the shuttle 20 approaches and eventually reaches a position where the corresponding first and second surfaces are in contact with or adjacent to each other. This represents the most distal position of the shuttle 20 and thus represents the maximum extent of distal advancement of the cleaning member 124 into the medical tube 10. Preferably, the position of the shuttle stopper 150 is selected corresponding to the length of the guide member 122 to ensure that the cleaning member 124 does not protrude from the distal end of the medical tube 10 during use.

[0039] The guide wire cleaning assembly 120 is configured to be disposed at least partially within the guide tube passage 116. As Figure 6A shown, the guide wire cleaning assembly 120 includes an elongate guide member 122 and a cleaning member 124 disposed and secured to a distal region of the guide member 122, preferably at the distal end of the guide member. In one example, the guide member 122 may be in the form of a guide wire, and the cleaning member 124 may be formed from the guide wire and wound to form loops. The remainder of this specification is provided with reference to a guide wire as a preferred example of the guide member 122. However, other examples of the guide member 122 are possible and will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0040] Still referring to Figure 6A , a magnetic guide 130 is secured to the guide wire 122, preferably in the proximal region of the guide wire. The magnetic guide 130 may include one or more internal magnetic elements 132. The magnetic elements 132 are considered "internal" magnetic elements because they are located within the guide tube 110. Optionally, the internal magnetic elements 132 may be permanent magnets. Alternatively, they may be metallic elements having magnetism and do not have to be permanent magnets. As used herein, a metallic element is magnetic if it can be attracted by a permanent magnet by means of magnetic force. The magnetic guide 130 may be secured to the guide wire 122 by any suitable or conventional means. Figure 6B An enlarged view of an exemplary magnetic guide 130 is shown (designated "B" in Figure 6A ). In this example, a plurality (four are shown) of cylindrical internal magnetic elements 132 having axial through-holes are coaxially aligned adjacent to each other. The internal magnetic elements 132 are oriented such that their respective north and south poles face the same direction. This causes the internal magnetic elements 132 to attract each other at their adjacent faces. The guide wire 122 extending from the distal end passes through the axial holes of the internal magnetic elements 132.

[0041] It should also be understood that in the case of using more than two such internal magnetic elements 132, it is not necessary that two or all of them be permanent magnets, or that two or all of them not be permanent magnets. The internal magnetic elements 132 may optionally be present as one (or more) of both permanent magnets and non-permanent magnets. However, in examples where the holding force between the internal magnetic elements can be relied upon to hold the internal magnetic elements in position relative to the guide wire 122, using permanent magnets as the internal magnetic elements 132 will create a stronger attraction between the internal magnetic elements, thereby holding the internal magnetic elements more firmly on the guide wire 122.

[0042] As described above and in Figure 4As most clearly shown, the shuttle 20 is disposed on the outer circumference 118 of the guide tube 110, preferably in contact therewith. The shuttle 20 has a tube passage 40, which is preferably in the form of a through-hole, the diameter of which substantially corresponds to the outer circumference 118, such that the shuttle 20 can be slidably and smoothly translated along the length of the guide tube 110 when the guide tube is received via the tube passage 40. The shuttle 20 includes a shuttle housing, which in the illustrated embodiment ( Figure 7 ), the shuttle housing is formed by opposing first and second clamshell halves 21 and 22, which form the outer body of the shuttle 20. A depressible button 23 is accessible through the shuttle housing, for example protruding from the shuttle housing, and is used to actuate the drive magnet 27 as described below.

[0043] As Figure 7 shown, the shuttle 20 includes a passage body 24, which defines the above-mentioned tube passage 40 to receive the guide tube 110 (or to receive the medical tube 10 in embodiments where the guide tube 110 is not used). Alternatively, the tube passage 40 can receive a vacuum tube 210; for example, if no separate guide tube 110 is provided 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 outer peripheral shape of the guide tube 110, or corresponds to the outer circumference 118 of the tube in the case of a cylindrical tube. One or more main magnet recesses 33 (two are shown) are formed on the outside of the passage body 24, outside the tube passage 40, and are distributed in a manner longitudinally aligned with the tube passage 40. The recesses 33 are preferably aligned such that the longitudinal (magnetic field) axes of the magnetic elements to be received in the recesses will be perpendicular to and intersect the longitudinal axis of the tube passage 40. One or more main magnetic elements 27 (e.g., drive magnets) are received in the corresponding recesses 33 of the passage body 24. In the example shown, the main magnetic element 27 is cylindrical. In other examples, the main magnetic element 27 can be of any shape suitable for fitting within the main magnet recess 33 of the passage body 24. These recesses 33 can be of any desired shape.

[0044] Similar to the internal magnetic element 132 discussed above, the main magnetic element 27 can be a permanent magnet, or alternatively can be a metallic element having magnetism, not necessarily a permanent magnet. However, for reasons that will be apparent, at least one of the internal magnetic elements 132 or at least one of the main magnetic elements 27 will be a permanent magnet. In a preferred example, both the internal magnetic element 132 and the main magnetic element 27 are permanent magnets. Additionally, the magnetic guide 130 and the main magnetic element 27 can have a remanent flux density (Br) of, for example, 14 - 15 kGs (such as 14.3 to 14.8 kGs).

[0045] Figure 3BSchematically shows the arrangement of the internal magnetic element 132 (e.g., of the magnetic guide 130) and the main magnetic element 27, when the latter is arranged as in the shuttle embodiment shown as Figure 7 . ( Figure 3B Also shown is the secondary magnetic element 28 which will be further described hereinafter). As Figure 3B and Figure 7 shown, the main magnetic element 27 (accommodated in the shuttle 20) is preferably radially aligned with respect to the tube channel 40 such that the north and south poles of each are aligned along the radius of the tube channel 40 (and the axis of a particular main magnetic element 27 when cylindrical), which radius intersects the longitudinal axis of the tube channel. When two main magnetic elements 27 are used as drive magnets, they are arranged such that their respective north and south poles face in opposite directions. In other words, the north pole of one main magnetic element 27 faces the tube channel 40 and the south pole of the other main magnetic element 27 faces the tube channel 40. This results in the two main magnetic elements 27 creating a single north pole and a single south pole that face the guide tube 110 when a portion of the tube channel defined by the longitudinal spacing of the main magnetic elements 27 is received in the tube channel 40. In this way, and as will be further explained hereinafter with reference to Figure 3B , the magnetic field generated by the main magnetic element 27 can propagate and be aligned substantially perpendicular to rather than parallel to the magnetic field of the magnetic guide 130 (and towards the magnetic guide). Preferably, the spacing between the main magnetic elements 27 is set such that the longitudinal axes (or magnetic field axes) of the main magnetic elements are substantially aligned with the corresponding north and south extreme ends of the magnetic guide 130 along the longitudinal axis of the magnetic guide 130, preferably intersecting. Preferably, the south pole of the first main magnetic element 27 faces the north pole of the magnetic guide 130 and the north pole of the second main magnetic element 27 faces the south pole of the magnetic guide 130.

[0046] As Figure 7 and Figure 9As shown, the shuttle 20 further includes one or more secondary magnetic elements 28 which are radially opposite the main magnetic element 27 with respect to the tube channel 40 of the channel body 24. Preferably, the secondary magnetic elements 28 are received within corresponding secondary magnet recesses 34 formed in the exterior of the channel body 24, outside the tube channel 40, opposite respective main magnet recesses 33, and aligned with the main magnet recesses along a common radial axis with respect to the channel 40. In the example shown, the secondary magnetic elements 28 are cylindrical. In other examples, the secondary magnetic elements 28 may be of any shape suitable for fitting within the secondary magnet recesses 34 of the channel body 24. The secondary magnetic elements 28 may also be permanent magnets or, alternatively, may be metallic elements having magnetism, not necessarily permanent magnets. However, for reasons that will become apparent, at least one of the internal magnetic elements 132 or at least one of the secondary magnetic elements 28 will be a permanent magnet. In a preferred example, both the internal magnetic elements 132 and the secondary magnetic elements 28 are permanent magnets. Additionally, the magnetic guide 130 and the secondary magnetic elements 28 may have a remanent flux density (Br) of, for example, 14 - 15 kGs (such as 14.3 to 14.8 kGs).

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the secondary magnetic elements 28 will be longitudinally spaced apart, similar to the opposing main magnetic elements 27 (i.e., their axes are aligned and coaxial) but facing in opposite directions. That is, the north / south pole orientation of each secondary magnetic element 28 will be opposite to the north / south pole orientation of the opposing main magnetic element 27 such that the opposing poles of each pair of main magnetic elements 27 and secondary magnetic elements 28 face each other on opposite sides of the tube channel 40.

[0048] Similar to the main magnetic elements 27, the secondary magnetic elements 28 are radially aligned with respect to the tube channel 40 such that the north and south poles of each secondary magnetic element 28 are aligned along the radius of the tube channel 40 (and the axis of a particular secondary magnetic element 28 when cylindrical), which radius intersects the longitudinal axis of the tube channel. Thus, similar to the above and as further explained below with respect to Figure 3B the magnetic field generated by the secondary magnetic elements 28 will propagate and align generally perpendicular to rather than parallel to the magnetic field of the magnetic guide 130 (and towards the magnetic guide). Preferably, each secondary magnetic element 28 is also aligned with the opposing main magnetic element 27 along a common radial axis (with respect to the tube channel 40) such that their opposing magnetic fields are aligned along their common radial axis and propagate towards each other via the channel body 24.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, when viewed from the end (i.e., along the longitudinal axis of the tube channel 40), only one set of opposing primary magnets 27 and secondary magnets 28 is provided, which are aligned along a single radius of the tube channel 40. However, optionally, when viewed from the end along the longitudinal axis of the tube channel, multiple sets of opposing primary magnets 27 and secondary magnets 28 can be circumferentially distributed relative to the tube channel 40 and aligned along respective circumferentially spaced radii of the tube channel 40, i.e., such that circumferentially adjacent radii in each radius will define an arcuate sector of the channel 40. For example, when viewed from the end along the longitudinal axis of the tube channel, two sets of opposing primary magnets 27 and secondary magnets 28 can be provided, where each set is aligned along a respective radius of the tube channel 40 that is perpendicular to the radius along which the other set is aligned, such that the two radii define four equal quarter - circle arc segments of the tube channel 40.

[0050] The opposing primary magnetic elements 27 and secondary magnetic elements 28 provide a strong magnetic coupling with a magnetic guide 130 attached to a guide member 122 within a guide tube 110 (or medical tube 10) to drive the guide member 122 within the tube by translation of the shuttle 20 outside the tube 110, which will be further explained. To reduce interference with surrounding electronic medical devices or implanted medical devices, the shuttle 20 can include a magnetic shield (e.g., within the shuttle housing). For example, a primary magnetic shield 25 can be provided on the exposed surface of the primary magnetic element 27, between the primary magnetic element and a button 23 for adjusting the primary magnetic element between a first position and a second position, which will be described later. Similarly, a secondary magnetic shield 29 can be provided on the exposed surface of the secondary magnetic element 28 (e.g., covering the secondary magnetic element within a secondary magnet recess 34). As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the shuttle 20 can also include a lateral shield 30 that surrounds the primary magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 within the shuttle 20. As shown, the lateral shield 30 can be a U - shaped element that extends from one side of the channel body 24 to the opposite side of the channel body 24 around the end of the channel body 24. The lateral shield 30 includes an aperture 31 sized to fit over projections 32 extending from opposite sides of the channel body 24 (e.g., from fins 35 formed in the channel body). By aligning the lateral shield 30 such that the projections 32 are fixed within the aperture 31, proper and reliable alignment of the shield 30 can be ensured.

[0051] The fins 35 extend transversely from the channel body 24 and are sized to allow the transverse shield 30 to sit properly and uniformly adjacent to the channel body 24 at a predetermined distance from the main magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28. This is beneficial when the shield 30 is made of a ferromagnetic material such as mild steel, as without such fins 35 for properly seating and maintaining the shape of the transverse shield, the transverse shield may be stretched and deformed by the magnetic fields of the main magnet 27 and the secondary magnet 28. The fins 35 and the associated protrusions also assist in the proper and repeatable alignment and fixation of the transverse shield 30 on the channel body 24 to prevent misalignment. Additionally, by fixing the seating position and orientation of the transverse shield 30, the fins 35 ensure that the shield 30 remains evenly spaced and non-touching from the magnets 27, 28 or any magnetic field conducting structures that may create magnetic field shunts and communicate with the magnets. Conversely, spaced as described, the transverse shield 30 will provide far-field magnetic shielding to substantially confine the magnetic field within the shuttle and minimize magnetic field escape.

[0052] The main magnetic shield 25, the secondary magnetic shield 29, and the transverse shield 30 are preferably made of mild steel. In other examples, they can be made of any material with a high iron content, such as traditional Mu-Metal materials known in the art. As will be understood, the main magnetic shield 25, the secondary magnetic shield 29, and the transverse shield 30 cooperate to magnetically shield the main magnet 27 and the secondary magnet 28 within the shuttle 20, thereby suppressing the propagation of their magnetic fields outside the shuttle 20. Although the combined shielding as described above cannot completely encapsulate the magnetic elements 27 and 28 (since they must interact magnetically with the magnetic guide 130 and accommodate the tube channel 40), it will help reduce the propagation and intensity of the magnetic field outside the shuttle 20. It should also be noted that when the shuttle 20 is assembled on the tube and aligned with the magnetic guide 130 in the tube, the combined shielding as described above also shields the magnetic field emitted from the magnetic guide 130 (now within the shuttle 20), effectively redirecting the combined magnetic field emitted from the complete magnetic circuit including the main magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 that interact with the magnetic guide 130 inward. As a result, the magnetic coupling force with the magnetic guide 130 can be increased.

[0053] It has been found that adjusting the thicknesses of the primary magnetic shield 25 and the secondary magnetic shield 29 (e.g., made of low-carbon steel) can affect the strength of the magnetic coupling with the magnetic guide 130. For example, an increased thickness of the primary magnetic shield 25 will result in a greater shunting of the magnetic fields from one primary magnetic element 27 to another, thereby effectively contributing to driving the combined primary magnetic field radially inward toward the tube channel 40 axis (and the magnetic guide 130). This will tend to strengthen the coupling force between the primary magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 within the tube received via the tube channel 40. Similarly, an increased thickness of the secondary magnetic shield 29 will result in a greater shunting of the magnetic fields between the respective secondary magnetic elements 28. This will strengthen the magnetic coupling between the secondary magnetic elements 28 and the magnetic guide 130. Advantageously, the thicknesses of the primary magnetic shield 25 and the secondary magnetic shield 29 can be adjusted to optimize the coupling with the magnetic guide 130. That is, an increased coupling force between the primary magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 can generate a stronger available translational (axial) force on the guide member 122 (and the cleaning member 124) attached to the magnetic guide 130 that is translated by the translation of the shuttle 20. However, this increased coupling force will also increase the lateral (radial) force between the magnetic guide 130 and the inner diameter of the tube wall, resulting in increased friction. Increasing the coupling force between the secondary magnetic elements 28 and the magnetic guide 130 can mitigate the above effect by pulling the magnetic guide 130 away from the tube wall adjacent to the primary magnetic element 27. By adjusting the relative thicknesses of the primary magnetic shield 25 and the secondary magnetic shield 29, these conflicting effects (the relationship between the available translational force obtained through the coupling and the friction) can be optimized. For low-carbon steel, the shield thicknesses of both the primary magnetic shield 25 and the secondary magnetic shield 29 are preferably in the range of 0.01 to 0.25 inches, more preferably in the range of 0.025 to 0.175 inches. At the same time, independently increasing the thickness of the lateral shield can help reduce the escape of the magnetic field emitted from within the shuttle to the external environment.

[0054] Figure 3BSchematically shown are the main magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 oriented and aligned relative to the magnetic guide 130 (e.g., the internal magnetic element 132 of the magnetic guide) as disclosed, and the cooperative magnetic fields they generate. As shown, the magnetic fields of the main magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 propagate along an axis perpendicularly aligned with the axis of the magnetic field emanating from the magnetic guide 130 (e.g., from the element 132 of the magnetic guide). It has been found that in the case where the magnetic fields are aligned in this way, the magnetic attraction between the shuttle 20 (by means of the main magnetic element 27 / secondary magnetic element 28 of the shuttle) and the magnetic guide 130 can be quite strong, resulting in an enhanced coupling between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 during use. Accordingly, a greater force can be applied to the cleaning member 124 in the X direction without decoupling the shuttle 20 from the magnetic guide to overcome the resistance caused by the obstruction encountered by the cleaning member 124 in the chest tube 10.

[0055] For example, an existing shuttle 20 as described in the '243 patent, having a high-field-strength rare-earth neodymium magnet configured in a loop, coupled to a similar composition neodymium magnet in the magnetic guide 130, typically delivers a translational force of about 0.4 lbf to the cleaning member 124 in the X direction before the shuttle 20 decouples from the magnetic guide 130. The magnitude of this force can be used to overcome the resistance caused by obstructions in the medical tube 10. In contrast, with respect to a similarly configured magnetic guide 130 disclosed herein, by using the main magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 aligned such that their relative magnetic fields are oriented radially toward the magnetic guide 130, the shuttle 20 herein has been shown to deliver a translational force of up to about 1.2 lbf to the cleaning member 124 before decoupling from the magnetic guide 130; i.e., approximately three times the available translational force compared to the prior art device. The increased available translational force is the result of a stronger magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements in the shuttle 20 and the magnetic elements in the magnetic guide 130 during use, believed to be the result of the orientation of the main magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 as disclosed herein. The result is a greater ability to overcome and clear stubborn obstructions in the medical tube 10 and a reduced incidence of shuttle decoupling.

[0056] In addition, it is believed that both the main magnetic shield 25 and the secondary magnetic shield 29 contribute to strengthening the effective magnetic attraction between the main magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 and the magnetic guide 130, respectively. Specifically, the main magnetic shield 25 couples the opposite poles of adjacent main magnetic elements 27, thereby enhancing their magnetic fields by completing the loop between each main magnetic element 27. The secondary magnetic shield 29 acts in a similar manner to enhance the magnetic fields of the secondary magnetic elements by completing the loop between each secondary magnetic element 28. This results in a greater ability to overcome and clear obstructions in the medical tube 10 and a reduced incidence of shuttle decoupling.

[0057] It is understood that the maximum available size of the strong magnetic coupling between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 via the tube wall is not always necessary for the translation clearing member 124. For example, in the absence of blockages or with smaller or fewer blockages, a minimum coupling force may be required to translate the clearing member 124. In such cases, the maximum coupling force between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 may be undesirable as it will increase the frictional force resisting the sliding of the shuttle 20 along the tube 110, making the normal use of the device 100 more laborious. This will also increase the frictional force between the internal magnetic guide 130 and the inner diameter of the tube 110. Accordingly, the shuttle 20 includes means for operating with a reduced magnetic coupling strength and increasing the coupling strength magnitude to a maximum only when the operator desires to clear or traverse a substantial blockage in the medical tube 10.

[0058] Specifically, as Figure 7 and Figure 10 shown and as described above, the shuttle 20 includes a depressible button 23. For example, the depressible button is provided on the face of the main magnetic shield 25 opposite the main magnetic element 27. In one example, the button 23 includes a stud 36 that extends from the lower side of the button through a central hole 37 in the main magnetic shield 25 and through a spring 26 positioned between the main magnetic elements 27. Opposite the main magnetic shield 25, the spring 26 sits and bears against the channel body 24, for example, within a radial channel or spring recess 38 defined between the main magnet recesses 33. In this way, the spring 26 biases the main magnetic shield 25 and the button 23 in a position radially away from the channel body 24 at its opposite faces. Preferably, the main magnetic element 27 is attached (e.g., by magnetic interaction) to the bottom surface of the magnetic shield such that the main magnetic element 27 is similarly biased radially away from the tube channel 40, corresponding to the first position of the main magnetic element 27 as described below ( Figure 13 ). Conversely, radially inwardly depressing the button 23 will drive the main magnetic shield 25 and the attached main magnetic element 27 radially inwardly against the spring bias, preferably until they sit on the bottom plates of the respective main magnet recesses 33 in the second position of the main magnetic element 27 ( Figure 14 ), which is also described below.

[0059] As for example Figure 11 and Figure 13As shown, the secondary magnetic element 28 is fixed within the secondary magnet recess 34 of the channel body 24. In contrast, the primary magnetic element 27 can be adjusted within a range of a plurality of radial positions relative to the tube channel 40 of the channel body 24, for example, between the first position and the second position described above. Since the radial position of the secondary magnetic element 28 is fixed, the field strength obtainable from the secondary magnetic element 28 for translating the magnetic guide 130 (and thus the cleaning member 124) is not manually adjustable. However, the field strength obtainable from the primary magnetic element 27 for driving the magnetic guide 130 can be manually adjusted by operating the button 23 to adjust the primary magnetic element 27 between the first position and the second position, which will be further explained.

[0060] Reference Figure 13 , the primary magnetic element 27 is shown in a first (rest) position. In the case where the magnetic guide 130 is disposed within the tube channel 40 of the shuttle 20 (inside the tube 110 received through the tube channel), the primary magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 are magnetically attracted to the magnetic guide 130 from opposite radials. And, as the shuttle 20 translates along the guide tube 110, the magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements 27, 28 of the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 causes the cleaning member 124 to move within the breast tube 10, for example, to remove obstructions in the breast tube 10. This translational movement in the case where the primary magnetic element 27 is in the first (rest) position away from the tube channel 40 is generally sufficient to routinely clean the breast tube 10 at a predetermined interval.

[0061] However, if the cleaning member 124 encounters a firm obstruction within the breast tube 10, an additional force in the X direction may be required to traverse or move the obstruction and continue to translate the cleaning member 124 along its path through the breast tube 10. In this case, the button 23 can be pressed so that the primary magnetic element 27 advances radially inward, approaches, or enters the second position, and sits within the respective primary magnet recesses 33 adjacent to the tube channel 40. As Figure 14 shown, in this radially advanced (e.g., second) position, the primary magnetic element 27 is more recessed within the recess 33 and closer to the magnetic guide 130 within the tube 110 received in the tube channel 40 of the shuttle 20. When the primary magnetic element 27 is closer to the magnetic guide 130, the magnetic attraction between the primary magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 increases, which enables the shuttle 20 to apply a stronger translational force to the cleaning member 124 in the X direction before it disengages from the magnetic guide 130.

[0062] Although Figure 13 and Figure 14The primary magnetic element 27 shown in [Fig.] is in a first position and a second position, but it should be understood that these positions represent the boundaries of an adjustable range. The primary magnetic element 27 can be adjusted to any point between these positions to effect a corresponding adjustment of the magnetic coupling strength between the primary magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130. For example, if a slightly increased force in the X direction is desired, the button 23 can be depressed only slightly, e.g., to reduce the radial distance between the primary magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 by 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, or some other fraction less than 100%. If an additional force in the X direction is desired, the button 23 can be depressed further, e.g., to further reduce the aforementioned radial distance, e.g., by 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, or more. The user can depress the button 23 and reduce the distance between the primary magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 by any amount between the first and second positions of the primary magnetic element 27. The spring 26 biases the button 23 (and the primary magnetic element 27) toward the fully radially retracted (i.e., "rest") position and thus opposes any depression of the button 23. In this way, the user can adjust the degree of field strength increase by adjusting the degree to which the spring bias is overcome to depress the button 23. Once the operation is complete, the spring 26 returns the button 23 (and the primary magnetic element 27) to the fully radially retracted "rest" position.

[0063] In one example, the radial (with respect to the tube passage 40) distance between the primary magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 (in the case where the primary magnetic element 27 is fully radially engaged and seated on the bottom plate of each primary magnet recess) is 0.5 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.85 inches, 0.95 inches, or 1 inch; e.g., depending on the diameter of the tube passage 40 adapted to receive a particular tube 110. By positioning the magnetic guide 130 between the primary magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28, theoretically the magnetic guide 130 can be magnetically levitated radially within the tube 110 inside the tube passage 40 at a generally central position. Although this theoretical possibility is not typically realized in practice, the fact that the magnetic guide 130 is still pulled in opposite directions between the primary magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 as the operating shuttle 20 translates with the cleaning member 124 can reduce the frictional force between the magnetic guide 130 and the guide tube passage. Thus, as the shuttle 20 translates along the tube 110, the magnitude of the force available for the cleaning member 124 to translate in the X direction can be increased.

[0064] To maximize the field strength (if desired) between one (or both) of the primary magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 and the magnetic guide 130 within the tube 110 received in the tube channel 40, the radial distance therebetween should be as small as possible. In one example, the radial distance between, for example, the primary magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 can be reduced by introducing holes 41 in the bottom wall of each primary magnet recess 33, thereby effectively reducing the outer diameter of the tube channel 40 near each recess 33 such that the primary magnetic element 27 can be driven more radially inwards. This is shown in Figure 12 As shown. By removing a portion of the channel body 24 that forms the circumferential wall of the tube channel 40 near the recess 33, the primary magnetic element 27 can be seated more radially inwards, closer to the inner diameter of the tube channel 40 (or even partially within the tube channel). Optionally, if desired, similar holes can be provided in the bottom plate of each secondary magnet recess 34 to allow for a greater degree of radial inward fixation of the secondary magnetic element 28. However, in practice, such holes in the bottom plate of the secondary magnet recess 34 are less preferred because it is desirable to have a certain degree of spacing to reduce their coupling force (and the resulting frictional force against the translation of the shuttle 20 or the magnetic guide 130) when a stronger coupling (by pressing the button 23) is not required to overcome an obstruction in the tube.

[0065] In the described embodiment, the coupling strength of the magnetic field between the primary magnetic element 27 in the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 within the tube received in the tube channel 40 can be adjusted by adjusting the radial position of the primary magnetic element 27. The foregoing embodiment also discloses two primary magnetic elements 27 and two secondary magnetic elements 28. However, in an alternative embodiment, the shuttle 20 can have only one primary magnetic element 27 that is opposed to one secondary magnetic element 28 along a common radius relative to the tube channel 40, as already described. Additionally, the primary magnetic element 27 need not be adjustable. Instead, the primary magnetic element can be in a fixed position.

[0066] Figure 15 A partial cross-sectional view of the shuttle 20 as described above is shown, but in which the primary magnetic element 27 is non-adjustable. In this embodiment, the coupling strength between the primary magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 will be non-adjustable. This embodiment is desirable from the perspective of ease of manufacture, but it will not have an adjustable coupling strength with the magnetic guide 130 as in the other disclosed embodiments.

[0067] Now refer to Figures 16 - 18, the debris removal device 100 as described herein is shown as being assembled to the chest tube 10 via a chest tube adapter 92, which ensures a fluid-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 passageway and the guide tube passageway 116. The chest tube 10 has a wall with an outer circumference and an inner diameter that defines the chest tube passageway.

[0068] In the case of assembling the debris removal device 100 and the chest tube 10 as described above, the guide member 122 and the debris removal member 124 disposed at its distal end can be advanced into and withdrawn from the chest tube 10 to assist in removing debris from the chest tube, as described below. In use, when the shuttle 20 is assembled or properly positioned on the guide tube 110, the magnetic guide 130 and the primary magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 of the shuttle 20 are magnetically attracted and coupled to each other. This causes the magnetic guide 130 to be coupled to the shuttle 20 by the magnetic force acting through the wall of the guide tube 110. Thus, longitudinally sliding or translating the shuttle 20 along the length of the shuttle guide tube 110 causes a corresponding translational movement of the magnetic guide 130 magnetically coupled to the shuttle 20 and the guide member 122 fixed to the magnetic guide 130. In Figure 16 , the shuttle 20 (schematically shown) is shown in a first position in contact with the shuttle stopper 150. The length of the guide member 122 between its distal end and the fixed point where it is fixed to the magnetic guide 130 is preferably selected to be approximately equal to the length of the chest tube 10 plus the length corresponding to the distance between the engagement point of the shuttle stopper 150 and the engagement joint 92 of the chest tube 10. In this embodiment, when the shuttle 20 is positioned against the shuttle stopper 150 (the shuttle is parallel to the magnetic guide 130 along the length of the guide tube 110), the debris removal member 124 at the distal end of the guide member 122 is disposed within the chest tube 10 adjacent the distal end of the chest tube and does not protrude from the chest tube 10 into the body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, this is the first position of the debris removal member 124, in which the debris removal member typically rests when the debris removal device 100 is not being used to actively remove debris from the chest tube 10.

[0069] In operation, with the chest tube 10 (its distal end) inserted into the patient's body cavity and the shuttle guide tube 110 connected to a suction source 200 at its proximal end, fluid from the body cavity is drawn in and passes through the chest tube passageway and then through the guide tube passageway 116 to be collected or processed in any suitable or conventional manner, such as in a conventional collection canister (not shown). (Alternatively, as described above, the guide tube 110 can branch off from the main suction circuit defined between the medical tube 10 and the vacuum tube 210, in which case fluid from the body cavity will be primarily suctioned via the main suction circuit rather than via the guide tube 110). In the illustrated embodiment, the debris removal member 124 is in the form of a coil, and as the coil is translated along the length of the chest tube 10, the coil scrapes the inner diameter of the chest tube 10.

[0070] As described above, the clearing member 124 (e.g., loop) is typically disposed within the chest tube access adjacent the distal end of the chest tube 10. To assist in clearing clots and other debris 400 that accumulate within the chest tube 10, the shuttle 20 is disposed on the guide tube 110 such that the shuttle is magnetically coupled to the magnetic guide 130 within the tube 110. When so assembled, and once the shuttle is magnetically coupled to the magnetic guide 130 within the tube 110, a nurse, doctor, or other operator then pulls the shuttle 20 proximally along the length of the guide tube 110 toward the proximal end of the tube 110. As the shuttle translates proximally, the magnetic attraction between the magnetic guide 130 and the primary magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 of the shuttle maintains the magnetic guide 130 in parallel with the shuttle 20. This pulls the guide member 122 and the clearing member 124 proximally through the chest tube access, as Figure 17 shown. As the clearing member 124 is pulled proximally, the clearing member engages clot material and other debris 400 in its path and forces such material and debris proximally ( Figure 17 , Figure 18 ) toward the proximal end of the chest tube access and ultimately out of the chest tube access into the guide tube access 116 ( Figure 18 ). To perform this operation, preferably, the operator grasps the shuttle 20 with one hand and the proximal end of the guide tube 110 with the other hand such that the pulling force applied to the shuttle 20 is applied against a reaction force applied to the tube 110 via the other hand, rather than against the suture that holds the chest tube 10 in the patient. Alternatively, the same result can be achieved by grasping a different portion of the guide tube 110 or the shuttle stopper 150 with the other hand prior to sliding the shuttle 20. Optionally, the clearing member 124 can be alternately withdrawn from and advanced into the chest tube access to assist in breaking up clot material or other debris and in helping to aspirate such debris proximally. Once the clearing operation is complete, the shuttle 20 can be used to return the magnetic guide 130 and thus the clearing member 124 to the rest position.

[0071] If additional translational force is needed to traverse or dislodge a firm clot within the chest tube 10, the user can press the button 23 on the shuttle 20 to cause the primary magnetic element 27 to advance radially toward the tube channel 40 within the shuttle, thereby strengthening the field between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130.

[0072] In embodiments where such a button 23 is provided, it is described as simultaneously actuating two primary magnetic elements 27 shown in the figure. However, in alternative embodiments, one primary magnetic element 27 may be fully advanced (or seated) radially against or proximate to the tube passage 40 of the channel body 24 normally (or all the time), where actuation of the button 23 advances (or retracts) a second (or more) primary magnetic element 27 to adjust the coupling field strength. Alternatively, multiple buttons 23 as described above may be provided, one for each primary magnetic element 27, such that these magnetic elements 27 may be advanced radially individually and selectively to adjust the coupling strength with a magnetic guide 130 within a tube received through the tube passage 40. Additionally, while the button 23 has been described as a push-button 23, it may be replaced with a rocker switch or another switch to radially advance the primary magnetic element 27. Optionally, for example, the button 23 (or other switch) may include a locking feature to lock the button in a fully radially advanced position (or different degrees of advancement, such as a user-selected degree of advancement) when desired.

[0073] It will be appreciated that when the shuttle 20 is being used to actuate a clearance member 124 within the medical tube 10, if the shuttle becomes decoupled from the magnetic guide 130 within the guide tube 110, the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 may be re-magnetically coupled by advancing the shuttle 20 forward (or backward) until the magnetic coupling is re-established. Alternatively, while the shuttle 20 is being translated, the operator may pinch the chest tube 10 or the guide tube 110 to manually engage the guide member 122 via the tube wall and hold the guide member in place, thereby re-magnetically engaging the magnetic guide 130 via the wall of the guide tube 110. In addition to assisting the translation of the guide member 122 via the magnetic coupling between the (magnetic elements of) the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130, the disclosed embodiments also assist the rotation of the guide member 122 within the chest tube / guide tube by rotating the shuttle 20 about the exterior of the chest tube 10 / guide tube 110. Lateral alignment magnetic fields from respective opposing first magnetic elements 27 and second magnetic elements 28 within the shuttle 20 are magnetically coupled to the magnetic guide 130 in a fixed orientation. Thus, due to this fixed orientation, rotating the shuttle 20 about the tube correspondingly rotates the magnetic guide 130 (and the guide member 122 attached to the magnetic guide) within the tube. This can assist in clearing obstructive debris within the tube and navigating through obstructions or tortuosities caused by curved or bent portions in the tube (such as due to kinks in the tube).

[0074] The device for clearing obstructions according to the present disclosure may be illustrated by the following examples.

[0075] Item 1. A device for clearing obstructions, comprising:

[0076] A first magnet configured to translate along the interior of a tube;

[0077] A shuttle configured to translate along the exterior of the tube, the shuttle including a second magnet adapted to be magnetically coupled to the first magnet via a magnetic coupling force through the wall of the tube, the magnetic coupling force having an adjustable coupling strength; and

[0078] An actuator configured to adjust the coupling strength via user input.

[0079] Item 2. The device for clearing blockages according to item 1, further comprising:

[0080] A magnetic shield at least partially encapsulating the second magnet, the magnetic shield configured to inhibit the propagation of the magnetic field emitted by the second magnet.

[0081] Item 3. The device for clearing blockages according to item 1, wherein the second magnet emits a magnetic field substantially perpendicular to the length of the tube.

[0082] Item 4. The device for clearing blockages according to item 1, further comprising:

[0083] At least one opposing magnet magnetically coupled to the first magnet, the at least one opposing magnet emitting a magnetic field having an orientation opposite to the magnetic field emitted by the second magnet.

[0084] Item 5. The device for clearing blockages according to item 1, wherein the first magnet emits a magnetic field substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field of the second magnet.

[0085] Item 6. The device for clearing blockages according to item 1, wherein the adjustable coupling strength is adjusted by moving the second magnet between a first position away from the first magnet and a second position closer to the first magnet.

[0086] Item 7. The device for clearing blockages according to item 6, wherein the actuator is configured to move the second magnet between the first position and the second position by compressing a spring.

[0087] Item 8. The device for clearing blockages according to item 1, wherein the actuator is a button or a rod.

[0088] Item 9. The device for clearing blockages according to item 2, wherein the surface of the magnetic shield is disposed between the second magnet and the actuator.

[0089] A device for clearing blockages, comprising:

[0090] A first magnet configured to translate along the interior of a tube.

[0091] A shuttle configured to translate along the exterior of the tube, the shuttle including a second magnet that emits a magnetic field, the second magnet being adapted to magnetically couple to the first magnet through the wall of the tube; and

[0092] A magnetic shield that at least partially encapsulates the second magnet, the magnetic shield being configured to inhibit the propagation of the magnetic field.

[0093] Item 11. The device for removing blockages according to item 10, further comprising:

[0094] An actuator configured to adjust the magnetic coupling strength between the first magnet and the second magnet.

[0095] Item 12. The device for removing blockages according to item 11, wherein the magnetic shield has a magnetic shielding surface disposed between the actuator and the second magnet.

[0096] Item 13. The device for removing blockages according to item 10, further comprising:

[0097] At least one fin protruding from the magnetic shield, wherein the at least one fin is configured to seat the magnetic shield within the shuttle.

[0098] Item 14. The device for removing blockages according to item 10, wherein the magnetic shield has a U-shaped body.

[0099] Item 15. The device for removing blockages according to item 10, wherein the magnetic shield is made of a ferromagnetic material.

[0100] Item 16. The device for removing blockages according to item 10, wherein the magnetic shield is low-carbon steel and has a thickness between 0.01 inches and 0.25 inches.

[0101] Item 17. The device for removing blockages according to item 10, further comprising:

[0102] At least one opposing magnet configured to emit a magnetic field oppositely directed to the magnetic field emitted by the second magnet.

[0103] Item 18. The device for removing blockages according to item 17, wherein the magnetic shield at least partially encapsulates the at least one opposing magnet.

[0104] Item 19. The device for removing obstructions according to Item 10, wherein the magnetic field of the second magnet is oriented substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field emitted by the first magnet.

[0105] Item 20. The device for removing obstructions according to Item 11, wherein the actuator is configured to adjust the magnetic coupling strength by moving the second magnet between a first position away from the first magnet and a second position close to the first magnet.

[0106] Item 21. A device for removing obstructions, comprising:

[0107] A tube that defines a passage;

[0108] A guiding member disposed within the passage and configured to translate axially within the passage;

[0109] A shuttle disposed outside the passage, the shuttle being coupled to the guiding member such that the translation of the guiding member depends on the movement of the shuttle; and

[0110] An actuator configured to adjust the coupling strength between the guiding member and the shuttle via user input.

[0111] Item 22. The device according to Item 21, wherein the shuttle is at least partially disposed around the guiding member.

[0112] Item 23. The device according to Item 21, wherein the shuttle and the guiding member are coupled together via magnetic attraction, and the magnetic attraction can be adjusted via the actuator.

[0113] Item 24. The device according to Item 23, wherein the shuttle includes a main magnetic shield.

[0114] Item 25. The device according to Item 24, wherein the main magnetic shield is disposed radially between the actuator and the tube.

[0115] Item 26. The device according to Item 25, wherein the shuttle further includes a secondary magnetic shield, and the secondary magnetic shield is disposed opposite to the main magnetic shield with respect to the tube.

[0116] Item 27. The device according to Item 23, wherein the shuttle defines a tube passage in which the tube is received.

[0117] Item 28. The device according to Item 27, wherein the shuttle further includes a transverse magnetic shield that extends from one transverse side of the tube passage to the opposite transverse side of the tube passage.

[0118] Item 29. The device according to item 28, wherein the shuttle further comprises a channel body defining the tube channel, and the lateral magnetic shield comprises a ferromagnetic material and sits on fins extending laterally from the channel body.

[0119] Item 30. The device according to item 29, wherein the fins comprise protrusions configured to fit into holes in the lateral magnetic shield.

[0120] Item 31. The device according to item 23, wherein the guiding member and the shuttle each have a first magnet and a second magnet that generate magnetic attraction through the wall of the tube.

[0121] Item 32. The device according to item 31, wherein the magnetic field axis of the magnetic field emitted by the second magnet is substantially perpendicular to the length of the tube.

[0122] Item 33. The device according to item 31, wherein the first magnetic field axis of the first magnetic field emitted by the first magnet is substantially perpendicular to the second magnetic field axis of the second magnetic field emitted by the second magnet.

[0123] Item 34. The device according to item 31, wherein the shuttle further comprises a third magnet adapted to be magnetically coupled to the first magnet, and the third magnet is opposite the second magnet with respect to the tube.

[0124] Item 35. The device according to item 34, wherein the third magnet emits a magnetic field having a direction opposite to that of the magnetic field emitted by the second magnet.

[0125] Item 36. The device according to item 31, wherein the adjustable coupling strength is adjusted by moving the second magnet between a first position away from the first magnet and a second position closer to the first magnet.

[0126] Item 37. The device according to item 36, wherein the actuator is configured to move the second magnet from the first position towards the second position against the spring bias of the spring.

[0127] Item 38. The device according to item 21, wherein the actuator is a button or a switch.

[0128] Item 39. The device according to item 21, further comprising a magnetic shield, wherein the shuttle comprises a channel body defining a tube channel for receiving the tube in the tube channel, and the channel body has protrusions configured to fit into holes in the magnetic shield.

[0129] Item 40. A device for removing blockages, comprising:

[0130] A shuttle, the shuttle defining a tube passage configured to receive a tube therein and adapted to translate along the length of the tube when the tube is received in the tube passage;

[0131] A first main magnetic element disposed on the shuttle; and

[0132] A first secondary magnetic element disposed on the shuttle,

[0133] The first main magnetic element and the first secondary magnetic element are opposite to each other with respect to the tube passage such that a first main field axis of a first main magnetic field of the first main magnetic element and a first field axis of a first magnetic field of the first secondary magnetic element are radially aligned with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube passage.

[0134] Item 41. The apparatus according to item 40, further comprising a second main magnetic element disposed on the shuttle, and the second main magnetic element is aligned such that a second main field axis of a second main magnetic field of the second main magnetic element is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube passage when viewed from the side of the shuttle.

[0135] Item 42. The apparatus according to item 40, wherein a north pole of the first main magnetic element faces the tube passage, and a south pole of the second main magnetic element faces the tube passage.

[0136] Item 43. The apparatus according to item 42, further comprising a tube received in the tube passage and having a magnetic guide therein, wherein the first main field axis is substantially aligned with a south pole terminal of the magnetic guide along the longitudinal axis, and the second main field axis is substantially aligned with a north pole terminal of the magnetic guide along the longitudinal axis.

[0137] Item 44. The apparatus according to item 40, further comprising a tube received in the tube passage and having a magnetic guide therein, wherein the first main field axis and the first field axis are substantially aligned with a south pole terminal of the magnetic guide along the longitudinal axis.

[0138] Item 45. The apparatus according to item 40, wherein the shuttle further comprises a channel body defining the tube passage, wherein a first recess and a second recess are defined in the channel body, outside the tube passage and opposite to each other with respect to the tube passage, the first main magnetic element is disposed in the first recess, and the first secondary magnetic element is disposed in the second recess.

[0139] Item 46. The apparatus according to item 45, wherein the first main magnetic element is movable in the first recess.

[0140] Item 47. The apparatus according to item 46, wherein the first magnetic element is fixed in the second recess.

[0141] Item 48. The apparatus according to item 46, wherein the shuttle further includes an actuator configured to adjust the position of the first main magnetic element in the first recess.

[0142] Item 49. The apparatus according to item 48, wherein the actuator is a spring radially biased away from the tube passage, and actuating the actuator against the bias of the spring pushes the first main magnetic element from a first position away from the tube passage toward a second position closer to the tube passage.

[0143] Item 50. The apparatus according to item 45, wherein the shuttle further includes a magnetic shield extending from one lateral side of the tube passage to an opposite lateral side of the tube passage, and the magnetic shield sits on fins extending laterally from the channel body.

[0144] Item 51. The apparatus according to item 50, wherein the fins include protrusions configured to fit within holes of the magnetic shield.

[0145] Item 52. The apparatus according to item 40, further including a main magnetic shield arranged adjacent to an exposed surface of the first main magnetic element.

[0146] Item 53. The apparatus according to item 52, further including a lateral magnetic shield extending from one lateral side of the tube passage to an opposite lateral side of the tube passage.

[0147] Item 54. The apparatus according to item 52, further including a secondary magnetic shield arranged adjacent to an exposed surface of the first magnetic element.

[0148] Item 55. The apparatus according to item 40, wherein each of the first main field axis and the first field axis is aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube passage when viewed from the side of the shuttle.

[0149] Item 56. The apparatus according to item 40, further including a main magnetic shield arranged adjacent to an exposed surface of the first main magnetic element, the main magnetic shield configured to deflect the first main magnetic field toward a magnetic guide disposed within a tube received in the tube passage, thereby increasing the magnetic coupling force between the first main magnetic element and the magnetic guide.

[0150] Item 57. The device according to item 56 further includes a secondary magnetic shield, the secondary magnetic shield being arranged adjacent to the exposed surface of the first magnetic element, the secondary magnetic shield being configured to deflect the first magnetic field towards the magnetic guide, thereby increasing the magnetic coupling force between the first magnetic element and the magnetic guide.

[0151] Item 58. The device according to item 57 further includes a transverse magnetic shield extending from one lateral side of the tube channel to the opposite lateral side of the tube channel, wherein the main magnetic shield, the secondary magnetic shield, and the transverse magnetic shield are configured to reduce the propagation and intensity of the first main magnetic field and the first magnetic field outside the shuttle.

[0152] Item 59. The main magnetic shield of the device according to item 56 is further configured to reduce the propagation and intensity of the first main magnetic field outside the shuttle.

[0153] Item 60. The device according to item 40 further includes:

[0154] a tube that is received in the tube channel and has a magnetic guide therein, and

[0155] a magnetic shield that is disposed within the shuttle, the magnetic shield being configured to deflect the first main magnetic field towards the magnetic guide.

[0156] Item 61. A device for clearing blockages, comprising:

[0157] a shuttle that defines a tube channel configured to receive a tube therein and adapted to translate along the length of the tube when the tube is received in the tube channel;

[0158] a first main magnetic element disposed on the shuttle, a first main field axis of a first main magnetic field of the first main magnetic element being aligned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube channel when viewed from a side of the shuttle; and

[0159] a second main magnetic element disposed on the shuttle and adjacent to the first main magnetic element, a second main field axis of a second main magnetic field of the second main magnetic element being aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube channel when viewed from the side of the shuttle;

[0160] a magnetic guide disposed in the tube channel; and

[0161] a main magnetic shield disposed adjacent to each of the first main magnetic element and the second main magnetic element.

[0162] Item 62. The apparatus according to item 61, wherein the main magnetic shield is arranged adjacent to the exposed surface of each of the first main magnetic element and the second main magnetic element.

[0163] Item 63. The apparatus according to item 62, wherein the main magnetic shield is a plate-like member that extends respectively across each of the exposed surfaces of the first main magnetic element and the second main magnetic element.

[0164] Item 64. The apparatus according to item 61, wherein the main magnetic shield is configured to deflect the first main magnetic field and the second main magnetic field toward a magnetic guide disposed within a tube received in the tube passage, thereby increasing the magnetic coupling force between the first main magnetic element and the second main magnetic element and the magnetic guide.

[0165] Item 65. The apparatus according to item 61, wherein the north pole of the first main magnetic element faces the tube passage, and the south pole of the second main magnetic element faces the tube passage.

[0166] Item 66. The apparatus according to item 65, further comprising a tube received in the tube passage and having a magnetic guide therein, wherein the first main field axis is generally aligned with the south pole terminal of the magnetic guide along the longitudinal axis, and the second main field axis is generally aligned with the north pole terminal of the magnetic guide along the longitudinal axis.

[0167] Item 67. The apparatus according to item 61, wherein the shuttle includes a channel body that defines the tube passage, wherein a first recess and a second recess are defined in the channel body outside the tube passage, the first main magnetic element is disposed in the first recess, and the second main magnetic element is disposed in the second recess.

[0168] Item 68. The apparatus according to item 67, wherein the first main magnetic element and the second main magnetic element are respectively movable in the first recess and the second recess.

[0169] Item 69. The apparatus according to item 68, wherein the shuttle further includes an actuator configured to adjust the positions of the first main magnetic element and the second main magnetic element in the first recess and the second recess respectively.

[0170] Item 70. The apparatus according to item 61, further comprising a transverse magnetic shield extending from one lateral side of the tube passage to the opposite lateral side of the tube passage, wherein the main magnetic shield and the transverse magnetic shield are configured to reduce the propagation and intensity of the first main magnetic field and the second main magnetic field outside the shuttle.

[0171] Although the invention has been described with respect to some preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, which are exemplary rather than restrictive in nature, but includes all variations and modifications that would occur to a person of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, all of which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for removing blockages, comprising: A first magnet configured to translate along the interior of a tube; A shuttle configured to translate along the exterior of the tube, the shuttle including a second magnet adapted to be magnetically coupled to the first magnet through the wall of the tube via a magnetic coupling force having an adjustable coupling strength; And An actuator configured to adjust the coupling strength via user input.

2. The device for removing blockages according to claim 1, further comprising: A magnetic shield at least partially enclosing the second magnet, the magnetic shield configured to inhibit the propagation of the magnetic field emitted by the second magnet.

3. The device for removing obstructions according to claim 1, wherein, The second magnet emits a magnetic field substantially perpendicular to the length of the tube.

4. The device for removing blockages according to claim 1, further comprising: At least one opposing magnet magnetically coupled to the first magnet, the at least one opposing magnet emitting a magnetic field oriented opposite to the magnetic field emitted by the second magnet.

5. The device for removing obstructions according to claim 1, wherein, The first magnet emits a magnetic field substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field of the second magnet.

6. The device for removing obstructions according to claim 1, wherein, The adjustable coupling strength is adjusted by moving the second magnet between a first position away from the first magnet and a second position closer to the first magnet.

7. A device for removing blockages, comprising: A first magnet configured to translate along the interior of a tube, A shuttle configured to translate along the exterior of the tube, the shuttle including a second magnet emitting a magnetic field, the second magnet adapted to be magnetically coupled to the first magnet through the wall of the tube; and A magnetic shield at least partially enclosing the second magnet, the magnetic shield configured to inhibit the propagation of the magnetic field.

8. A device for removing blockages, comprising: A tube defining a passage; A guiding member disposed within the passage and configured to translate axially within the passage; A shuttle disposed outside the passage, the shuttle coupled to the guiding member such that translation of the guiding member depends on the movement of the shuttle; And An actuator configured to adjust the coupling strength between the guiding member and the shuttle via user input.

9. A device for removing blockages, comprising: A shuttle defining a tube passage configured to receive a tube therein and adapted to translate along the length of the tube when the tube is received within the tube passage; A first main magnetic element disposed on the shuttle; And A first secondary magnetic element disposed on the shuttle, The first main magnetic element and the first secondary magnetic element are relative to each other with respect to the tube passage such that a first main field axis of a first main magnetic field of the first main magnetic element and a first field axis of a first magnetic field of the first secondary magnetic element are radially aligned with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube passage.

10. A device for removing blockages, comprising: A shuttle, the shuttle defining a tube channel configured to receive a tube therein and adapted to translate along the length of the tube when the tube is received in the tube channel; A first main magnetic element provided on the shuttle, a first main field axis of a first main magnetic field of the first main magnetic element being aligned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube channel when viewed from the side of the shuttle; and A second main magnetic element provided on the shuttle and adjacent to the first main magnetic element, a second main field axis of a second main magnetic field of the second main magnetic element being aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube channel when viewed from the side of the shuttle; A magnetic guide provided in the tube channel; and A main magnetic shield provided adjacent to each of the first main magnetic element and the second main magnetic element.

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