Medical tube cleaning device

Abstract

A method and apparatus for operating a cleaning device for removing nuisance debris from a medical tube is disclosed. More particularly, a shuttle is disclosed that includes a first main magnetic element adapted to magnetically engage and translate a magnetic guide within the tube. The first main magnetic element is aligned such that a first main magnetic field emanating therefrom is aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube when viewed from the side of the shuttle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to a medical tube assembly, and more specifically to an apparatus for removing occlusions from a medical tube of a medical tube assembly.

Background Art

[0002] Medical tubes can be used to deliver fluids or devices into a patient's body and / or to drain body fluids and secretions from compartments and structures within the body. For example, medical tubes can be used to drain fluids from the bladder, colon, or other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, or from the lungs or other organs, during various treatments. As another example, medical tubes can be used to drain blood and other fluids that normally accumulate in body cavities after trauma surgery. As yet another example, medical tubes can be used to deliver fluids into a patient's body to provide nutrition, or medical tubes can be used to provide access to the vasculature for the removal or delivery of fluids or devices. Typically, a medical tube is inserted into a patient such that the proximal portion remains outside the patient's body and the distal end of the medical tube is brought into or adjacent to a space where removal or delivery of a substance is desired, and the proximal portion can be connected to, for example, a suction source.

[0003] Fluids passing through medical tubing (especially fluids containing blood or platelets) can form clots or other obstructions within the tubing that can partially or completely block the suction pathway. Obstruction of medical tubing affects its ability to perform its intended purpose of removing or delivering fluids and other substances, and can ultimately lead to partial or complete failure of the tubing. In some cases, a non-functional tubing can have serious or life-threatening consequences. For example, if a blockage is present in a chest tube after heart or lung surgery, improper drainage may occur, leading to fluid buildup around the heart and lungs, potentially causing serious and harmful conditions such as cardiac tamponade and pneumothorax.

[0004] Patent Document 1, by reference to this specification, discloses a cleaning device for removing unwanted coagulation material from medical tubes (such as thoracic tubes). The device utilizes a shuttle mounted on a guide tube to actuate the cleaning member within the tube via a magnetic coupling between the shuttle and a magnetic guide connected to a guide wire (and corresponding cleaning member) within the tube. Based on the arrangement of magnetic elements in the shuttle and magnetic guide, the shuttle can be discoupled from the magnetic guide during use. For example, this discoupler may occur when an obstruction such as a kink or large coagulation material is present in the medical tube, causing a resistance force on the guide wire within the tube that is stronger than the magnetic coupling between the shuttle and the magnetic guide. Embodiments disclosed in this document address such discouplers and improve the magnetic coupling between the shuttle and the magnetic guide. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 7,951,243 [Overview of the project]

[0006] According to a first aspect, a device for removing an obstruction from a medical tube is disclosed. The device comprises a shuttle that defines a tube passage configured to house a tube and is adapted to translate along the length of the tube once housed within the passage. The shuttle comprises a first principal magnetic element, the first principal magnetic element being positioned such that the first principal magnetic field axis of its first principal magnetic field is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube passage when viewed from the side of the shuttle.

[0007] According to a second embodiment, the blockage removal device comprises a shuttle adapted to translate along the length of the tube. The shuttle comprises a passage body defining a tube passage having a longitudinal axis configured to accommodate the tube. A first principal magnet recess is located outside the tube passage within the passage body. A first principal magnetic element is received within the first principal magnet recess and has a first principal magnetic field generated along a first principal magnetic field axis radially aligned with the longitudinal axis described above. A button is operable to adjust the first principal magnetic element within the first principal magnet recess so as to be slidable between a first position radially away from the tube passage and a second position radially close to the tube passage.

[0008] A third aspect discloses a method for removing an obstruction from a medical tube. This method includes translating a shuttle, positioned outside the tube, along the length of the tube, and correspondingly translating an elongated guide member, positioned at least partially inside the tube and magnetically coupled to the shuttle member through the tube wall. The magnetic field generated by the shuttle is aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube when viewed from the side of the shuttle.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect, the blockage removal device comprises a shuttle that defines a tube passage configured to house a tube and is adapted to translate along the length of the tube once housed within the passage. A first principal magnetic element of the shuttle is adjustable to adjust the coupling strength between the first principal magnetic element and a magnetic guide that is received through the tube passage and positioned within the tube. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing a cleaning device coupled to a medical tube (e.g., a pleural tube) placed inside a patient, which can remove any obstructions that may form inside the medical tube. [Figure 2] This is a partial cross-sectional view of the cleaning device. [Figure 3A] This is a schematic diagram of the magnetic field between the magnetic element in the magnetic guide and the magnetic element in the shuttle of a cleaning device for removing blockages from a medical tube according to an embodiment disclosed herein, and shows a first arrangement of the magnetic elements. [Figure 3B] This is a schematic diagram of the magnetic field between the magnetic element in the magnetic guide and the magnetic element in the shuttle of a cleaning device for removing blockages from a medical tube according to an embodiment disclosed herein, and shows a second arrangement of the magnetic elements. [Figure 4] This is a side view of a cleaning device having a shuttle according to one exemplary embodiment described below. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the shuttle inside the cleaning device. [Figure 6A] Figure 4 is a partially exploded view of the cleaning device. [Figure 6B] Figure 6A-B is an enlarged view of the magnetic guide of the cleaning device shown in Figure 4. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the shuttle. [Figure 8] Figure 5 is a further exploded view of the shuttle, with the entire shuttle housing removed. [Figure 9]An exploded view showing the arrangement of the shuttle's auxiliary magnetic element and auxiliary shield of FIG. 5 with other elements of the shuttle removed. [Figure 10] An exploded view showing the arrangement of the shuttle's drive magnet, drive shield, spring, and button of FIG. 5 with other elements of the shuttle removed. [Figure 11] A perspective side cross-sectional view of the shuttle along line A-A of FIG. 5. [Figure 12] A cross-sectional view of the shuttle along line B-B of FIG. 5. [Figure 13] A perspective side cross-sectional view showing the drive magnet of the shuttle of FIG. 5 in a first position, facing the auxiliary magnetic element with respect to the tube passage 40, with other parts of the shuttle removed. [Figure 14] A perspective cross-sectional view as shown in FIG. 13 with the drive magnet in a second position. [Figure 15] A perspective cross-sectional view of a shuttle according to an alternative embodiment. [Figure 16] A perspective view of a cleaning device coupled to a thoracic tube, schematically showing the shuttle, corresponding guide wire, and cleaning member, and showing the advancement for removing obstructions from the thoracic tube at different stages, ranging from the fully advanced state of FIG. 16 to the fully retracted state of FIG. 18. [Figure 17] A perspective view of a cleaning device coupled to a thoracic tube, schematically showing the shuttle, corresponding guide wire, and cleaning member, and showing the advancement for removing obstructions from the thoracic tube at different stages, ranging from the fully advanced state of FIG. 16 to the fully retracted state of FIG. 18. [Figure 18] A perspective view of a cleaning device coupled to a thoracic tube, schematically showing the shuttle, corresponding guide wire, and cleaning member, and showing the advancement for removing obstructions from the thoracic tube at different stages, ranging from the fully advanced state of FIG. 16 to the fully retracted state of FIG. 18.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Certain technical terms are used herein merely for convenience and are not to be construed as limitations on the present invention. Relative terms used herein are best understood with reference to the drawings. Further, in the drawings, certain features may be shown in schematic form.

[0012] The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein when describing two ends or parts of a feature portion, and these two ends or parts indicate the relative positioning that would generally be along a series system with respect to the patient. It should be noted that the distal end or part is closer to the patient (or more advanced within the patient) than the proximal end or part. For example, in a series system comprising a tube for withdrawing fluid from a patient along a flow path through the tube, the distal end or part of the tube is closer to the patient (and may be inserted internally), and the proximal end or part is outside the patient along the fluid flow path.

[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to the examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments are shown. However, the aspects can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a medical tube used for discharging fluid accumulated from a patient's body cavity according to an exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 1, the medical tube is inserted into the patient's thoracic cavity and used to discharge fluid from the thoracic cavity, and for example, it may be the thoracic tube 10 described in the incorporated '243 patent above. The remaining description will be made with reference to the thoracic tube 10. However, other body tubes used in other applications may also be used together with the embodiments described herein.

[0015] Referring to Figure 1, the pleural tube 10 enters the patient through the pleural (body) wall, and the distal end of the tube is positioned where fluid from the chest (body) is drained. The proximal end of the pleural tube 10 remains outside the body. The pleural tube 10 can be inserted into the patient through the pleural wall by a physician in a conventional manner, and then positioned and secured. The cleaning device 100 is fitted to the proximal end of the pleural tube 10. The cleaning device 100 may include a shuttle guide tube 110 (described later) connected to the proximal end of the pleural tube 10 and provided in fluid communication with the proximal end. The cleaning device 100 also includes a cleaning member 124 (likewise described later) that can be reversibly advanced through the pleural tube 10 to pull out obstructing debris. The proximal end of the shuttle guide tube 110 (i.e., the end opposite the connection point to the pleural 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 present) and the vacuum tube 210 (if present) to remove fluid from the body cavity and maintain a normal physiological negative pressure within the chest.

[0016] Herein, an exemplary cleaning device 100 will be described in more detail. As can be seen in Figure 2, the cleaning device 100 may include the shuttle guide tube 110 described above. The shuttle guide tube 110 has a proximal end 111 and a distal end 112. When in use, the proximal end 111 of the shuttle guide tube 110 is fitted to connect to a suction source, preferably via a suction fitting 90 fixed to its proximal end, and the distal end 112 is fitted to connect to a medical tube such as a pleural tube 10, preferably via a pleural tube fitting 92 fixed to its distal end. The guide tube 110 has a wall having an inner diameter 114 that defines a guide tube passage 116 and an outer circumference 118. The shuttle 20 can be selectively mounted on the outer circumference 118 of the guide tube 110 and is fitted to move forward and backward along the length of the tube 110, as will be described in more detail later. Figures 1, 2, and 15-17 show a schematic representation of the shuttle 20. Figures 4-14 (described in detail later) show an example embodiment of the shuttle 20.

[0017] A wire cleaning assembly 120 is at least partially positioned within the guide tube passage 116. The wire cleaning assembly 120 comprises an elongated guide member 122 and a cleaning member 124 positioned and fixed 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 cleaning member 124 may be formed by the guide wire, for example, as a loop. A magnetic guide 130 (e.g., a permanent magnet) is fixed to the guide member 122, preferably in its proximal region.

[0018] As is clear from Figure 2, the shuttle 20 is magnetically coupled to the magnetic guide 130 via outer magnetic elements 142 located within or associated with the shuttle 20. The magnetic elements 142 shown in Figure 2 can be a main magnetic element 27 and a secondary magnetic element 28 (see Figure 7), as will be described later. When the north and south poles of the outer magnetic elements 142 are axially aligned approximately parallel to the corresponding (but typically opposite) poles of the magnets 132 of the magnetic guide 130, the resulting cooperative magnetic field between the outer magnetic elements 142 within the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 is parallel, as schematically shown in Figure 3A.

[0019] For a magnet of a given magnetic field strength, such a parallel magnetic field as shown in Figure 3A may not be strong enough to resist the shuttle 20 being discoupled from the magnetic guide 130 when the guide member 122 (or the cleaning member 124 attached thereto) encounters a robust obstruction in the medical tube 10, creating a drag force that forces the guide member 122 to translate in the opposite direction. If the cleaning member 124 encounters such an obstruction, a sufficient force must be applied to the cleaning member 124 in the X direction (Figure 2) to overcome the resistance (drag force) provided by the obstruction. When the cleaning member 124 engages with debris in 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 outer magnetic element 142 during the translation of the shuttle, discoupled from the shuttle 20 to the magnetic guide 130 occurs.

[0020] Such loss of magnetic coupling between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 may occur if a kink in the pleural tube 10 generates a sufficient resistance force on the guide member 122 to overcome the magnetic coupling force in the X direction, or for other reasons. While magnetic coupling can be restored by returning the shuttle 20 to a close position with the magnetic guide 130, discoupling may still occur if the reason for discoupling persists (such as in the case of an obstruction).

[0021] Figures 4 to 14 show a cleaning device having an exemplary shuttle 20 that provides a strong coupling with a magnetic guide 130, for example, through the wall of the shuttle guide tube 110. As seen in Figure 4, the cleaning device 100 may comprise the shuttle guide tube 110 described above, having a proximal end 111 and a distal end 112. When in use, the proximal end 111 of the shuttle guide tube 110 is adapted to connect to a suction source, preferably via a suction fitting 90 fixed to its proximal end, and the distal end 112 is adapted to connect to a medical tube, such as a pleural tube 10, preferably via a pleural tube fitting 92 fixed to its distal end. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the distal end 112 of the guide tube 110 may be connected to a medical tube via a branching fitting such as a T-joint or Y-joint, and the guide tube 110 forms a lateral branch of the main suction circuit defined between the medical tube and a suction source (e.g., via a vacuum tube 210) communicating with a third port of the branching fitting. In this way, the guidewire (described later) is retracted laterally through the guide tube 110 from the main suction circuit that draws secretions from the medical tube. Regardless of the specific guide tube configuration (i.e., whether the main suction circuit is in series or branched), the shuttle 20 is positioned along the outer circumference 118 (see Figure 2) of the wall of the guide tube 110, preferably in contact with the outer circumference 118, and is adapted to translate along the length of the tube 110 in the X direction, as described later, to advance and retract the wire cleaning assembly 120.

[0022] The shuttle stopper 150 is fixed to the outer circumference 118 of the guide tube 110, preferably in close proximity to the distal end of the guide tube 110 in the distal region 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 respective first and second surfaces are in contact with or adjacent to each other. This represents the most distal position of the shuttle 20 and therefore represents the maximum distal advance of the cleaning member 124 within the medical tube 10. Preferably, the position of the shuttle stopper 150 is selected to correspond 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 when in use.

[0023] The wire cleaning assembly 120 is configured to be at least partially positioned within the guide tube passage 116. As shown in Figure 6A, the wire cleaning assembly 120 comprises an elongated guide member 122 and a cleaning member 124 positioned and fixed to the distal region of the guide member 122, preferably its distal end. In one example, the guide member 122 may be in the form of a guide wire, and the cleaning member 124 may be formed by a guide wire that can be wound to form a loop. The remainder of this description will be made by referring to a guide wire as a preferred example of the guide member 122. However, other examples of the guide member 122 may be and will be readily determined to those skilled in the art.

[0024] Referring further to Figure 6A, the magnetic guide 130 is fixed to the guide wire 122, preferably in its proximal region. The magnetic guide 130 may comprise one or more inner magnetic elements 132. The magnetic elements 132 are considered "inner" magnetic elements because they reside within the guide tube 110. Optionally, the inner magnetic elements 132 may be permanent magnets. Alternatively, the inner magnetic elements 132 may be metallic elements having magnetic properties that are not necessarily permanent magnets. As used herein, metallic elements have magnetic properties if they can be attracted by a permanent magnet via magnetic force. The magnetic guide 130 can be fixed to the guide wire 122 by any preferred or conventional means. Figure 6B shows an enlarged view of an exemplary magnetic guide 130 (shown as "B" in Figure 6A). In this example, a plurality (shown as four) of cylindrical inner magnetic elements 132 having axial through holes are aligned adjacent to one another coaxially. The inner magnetic elements 132 are oriented so that their respective north and south poles face the same direction. This causes the inner magnetic elements 132 to attract each other on their adjacent surfaces. The guide wire 122 extends from its distal end and passes through the axial holes of the inner magnetic elements 132.

[0025] It should also be understood that when two or more such internal magnetic elements 132 are used, it is not required that both or all of them be permanent magnets, or that both or all of them be non-permanent magnets. The internal magnetic elements 132 may optionally be one (or more) of each permanent magnet and non-permanent magnet. However, in examples where the retaining force between them can be relied upon to hold them in place against the guide wire 122, using permanent magnets as internal magnetic elements 132 will create a stronger attractive force between them, resulting in them being held more firmly by the guide wire 122.

[0026] As described above, as most clearly seen in Figure 4, the shuttle 20 is positioned along the outer circumference 118 of the guide tube 110, preferably in contact with the outer circumference 118. The shuttle 20 has a tube passage 40, which is preferably in the form of a through-hole having a diameter substantially corresponding to the outer circumference 118, and the shuttle 20 can slide and smoothly translate along the length of the tube once the guide tube 110 is received through its tube passage 40. The shuttle 20 comprises a shuttle housing, which in the illustrated embodiment (Figure 7) is formed from opposing first clamshell halves 21 and second clamshell halves 22 that form the outer body of the shuttle 20. A pressable button 23 is accessible through the shuttle housing, for example, protruding from the shuttle housing, and is used to actuate a drive magnet 27, as will be described later.

[0027] As shown in Figure 7, the shuttle 20 comprises a passage body 24, which defines the tube passage 40 described above to accommodate a guide tube 110 (or a medical tube 10 in embodiments where a guide tube 110 is not used). Alternatively, the tube passage 40 can accommodate the vacuum tube 210, for example, if a separate guide tube 110 is not interposed between the vacuum tube 210 and the medical tube 10. The tube passage 40 within the passage body 24 is complementary and preferably has an inner surface substantially corresponding to the outer circumferential shape of the guide tube 110, or, in the case of a cylindrical tube, its outer circumference 118. One or more main magnet recesses 33 (two shown) are formed on the outer portion of the passage body 24, outside the tube passage 40, and distributed longitudinally aligned with the tube passage 40. The recesses 33 are preferably aligned such that the longitudinal (magnetic field) axis of each magnetic element received therein is perpendicular to and intersects with the longitudinal axis of the tube passage 40. One or more main magnetic elements 27 (e.g., drive magnets) are received in each of the recesses 33 of the passage body 24. In the illustrated example, the main magnetic elements 27 are cylindrical. In other examples, the main magnetic elements 27 may be of any shape suitable for fitting into the main magnet recesses 33 of the passage body 24. The recesses 33 may be of any desired shape.

[0028] Similar to the inner magnetic element 132 described above, the main magnetic element 27 may be a permanent magnet, or alternatively, a metallic element having magnetic properties that are not necessarily those of a permanent magnet. However, for reasons that will become clear, at least one of the inner magnetic elements 132 or at least one of the main magnetic elements 27 should be a permanent magnet. In a preferred example, both the inner magnetic element 132 and the main magnetic element 27 are permanent magnets. Furthermore, the magnetic guide 130 and the main magnetic element 27 may have a residual magnetic flux density (Br) of, for example, 14 kGs to 15 kGs, or 14.3 kGs to 14.8 kGs.

[0029] Figure 3B schematically shows the arrangement of the inner magnetic element 132 and the main magnetic element 27 (for example, in the magnetic guide 130) when the main magnetic element 27 is arranged as in the shuttle embodiment shown in Figure 7. (Figure 3B also shows the auxiliary magnetic element 28, which will be described later). As seen in Figures 3B and 7, the main magnetic element 27 (housed in the shuttle 20) is preferably radially aligned with respect to the tube passage 40, with its respective north and south poles aligned along the radius of the tube passage 40 (and, if cylindrical, the axis of a particular main magnetic element 27) intersecting the longitudinal axis of the passage. When the two main magnetic elements 27 are used as driving magnets, their respective north and south poles are arranged so that they face opposite directions. In other words, the north pole of one main magnetic element 27 faces the tube passage 40, and the south pole of the other main magnetic element 27 faces the tube passage 40. As a result, when the two principal magnetic elements 27 are received within the passage 40 along a segment of the passage 40 defined by the longitudinal spacing of the principal magnetic elements 27, a single north pole and a single south pole are created that point toward the guide tube 110. In this way, as will be further described below with reference to Figure 3B, the resulting magnetic fields from the principal magnetic elements 27 can propagate and be aligned substantially perpendicular, rather than parallel, to (and toward) the magnetic field of the magnetic guide 130. The spacing between the principal magnetic elements 27 is such that their respective longitudinal (or magnetic field) axes are substantially aligned with, and preferably intersecting, the respective north and south pole ends of the magnetic guide 130 along the longitudinal axis of the magnetic guide 130. Preferably, the south pole of the first principal magnetic element 27 points toward the north pole of the magnetic guide 130, and the north pole of the second principal magnetic element 27 points toward the south pole of the magnetic guide 130.

[0030] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the shuttle 20 further comprises one or more auxiliary magnetic elements 28 radially opposite the main magnetic element 27 to the tube passage 40 of the passage body 24. The auxiliary magnetic elements 28 are formed on the outside of the tube passage 40 in the outer portion of the passage body 24, opposite each main magnet recess 33, and are housed in corresponding auxiliary magnet recesses 34 that are aligned with the main magnet recesses 33 along a common radial axis relative to the passage 40. In the illustrated example, the auxiliary magnetic elements 28 are cylindrical. In other examples, the auxiliary magnetic elements 28 may be of any shape suitable for fitting into the auxiliary magnet recesses 34 of the passage body 24. The auxiliary magnetic elements 28 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 inner magnetic elements 132 or at least one of the auxiliary magnetic elements 28 should be a permanent magnet. In a preferred example, both the inner magnetic elements 132 and the auxiliary magnetic elements 28 are permanent magnets. Furthermore, the magnetic guide 130 and the auxiliary magnetic element 28 can have a residual magnetic flux density (Br) of, for example, 14 kGs to 15 kGs, or 14.3 kGs to 14.8 kGs.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary magnetic elements 28 are spaced longitudinally apart, similar to the opposing main magnetic elements 27 (i.e., their respective axes are aligned and coaxial with the main magnetic elements 27), but are oriented in the opposite direction to the main magnetic elements 27. That is, the orientation of the north / south poles of each auxiliary magnetic element 28 should be opposite to the orientation of the north / south poles of the opposing main magnetic element 27, and the opposing poles of each opposing main magnetic element 27 and auxiliary magnetic element 28 face each other across the tube passage 40.

[0032] Similar to the main magnetic elements 27, the auxiliary magnetic elements 28 are radially aligned with respect to the tube passage 40, and the north and south poles of each auxiliary magnetic element 28 are aligned along the radius of the tube passage 40 (and, if cylindrical, the axis of a particular auxiliary magnetic element 28) intersecting the longitudinal axis of the passage. Thus, as described above, and as will be further explained below with respect to Figure 3B, the resulting magnetic field from the auxiliary magnetic elements 28 propagates and is aligned substantially perpendicular, rather than parallel, to (and toward) the magnetic field of the magnetic guide 130. It is also preferable that each auxiliary magnetic element 28 is aligned along a common radial axis (relative to the tube passage 40) with the opposing main magnetic element 27, and their opposing magnetic fields are aligned along their common radial axis and propagate toward each other through the passage body 24.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, only one set of opposing main magnetic elements 27 and sub-magnetic elements 28 is provided and aligned along a single radius of the tube passage 40 when viewed from the end (i.e., along the longitudinal axis of the passage 40). However, optionally, multiple sets of opposing main magnets 27 and sub-magnets 28 may be distributed circumferentially with respect to the tube passage 40 and aligned along radii defined in each circumferential direction of the passage 40, i.e., circumferentially adjacent radii of each set are aligned such that, when viewed from the end along the longitudinal axis of the passage 40, they define a sector of the passage 40. For example, two sets of opposing main magnets 27 and sub-magnets 28 may be provided, each set aligned along each radius of the tube passage 40 perpendicular to the radius along which the other set is aligned, and the two radii define four equal quarter-circle arc segments of the tube passage 40 when viewed from the end along the longitudinal axis of the tube passage 40.

[0034] The opposing main magnetic element 27 and secondary magnetic element 28 provide a strong magnetic coupling to a magnetic guide 130, which is attached to a guide member 122 within a guide tube 110 (or medical tube 10), as will be further described, and drive the guide member 122 within the tube via the translation of the shuttle 20 outside the tube 110. To reduce interference with surrounding electronic medical devices or implanted medical devices, the shuttle 20 may incorporate magnetic shields (e.g., within its housing). For example, a main magnetic shield 25 may be positioned across the exposed surface of the main magnetic element 27, between the main magnetic element 27 and the button 23 used to adjust the main magnetic element 27 between a first position and a second position as described. Similarly, a secondary magnetic shield 29 may be provided across the exposed surface of the secondary magnetic element 28 (e.g., covering the secondary magnetic element 28 within a secondary magnet recess 34). As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the shuttle 20 may further comprise a lateral shield 30 surrounding the main magnetic element 27 and secondary magnetic element 28 within the shuttle 20. As shown in the figure, the lateral shield 30 can be a U-shaped element extending around the end of the passage body 24 from one side of the passage body 24 to the opposite side of the passage body 24. The lateral shield 30 includes an opening 31 sized to fit into projections 32 extending from both sides of the passage body 24 (for example, from fins 35 formed inside). Proper and secure alignment of the shield 30 can be ensured by positioning the lateral shield 30 so that the projections 32 are fixed within the opening 31.

[0035] The fins 35 extend laterally from the passage body 24 and are sized to properly seat the lateral shield 30, which is uniformly adjacent to the passage body 24 at a predetermined distance from the main magnetic elements 27 and the secondary magnetic elements 28. This is useful when the shield 30 is made from a ferromagnetic material (e.g., low-carbon steel), and in the absence of such fins 35 to properly seat the shield 30 and maintain its shape, the shield 30 may be pulled and deformed by the magnetic fields of the main magnets 27 and the secondary magnets 28. The fins 35 and their associated protrusions also facilitate proper and repeatable alignment and fixing of the lateral shield 30 across the passage body 24 to prevent misalignment. Furthermore, by fixing the seating position and orientation of the lateral shield 30, the fins 35 ensure that the shield 30 remains uniformly separated from the magnets 27, 28 or any magnetically conductive structures communicating with the magnets that could create a magnetic field shunt, and does not come into contact with them. Instead, the lateral shields 30 are separated as described and provide far-field magnetic shielding to substantially confine the magnetic field within the shuttle and minimize leakage of those magnetic fields.

[0036] The main magnetic shield 25, the secondary magnetic shield 29, and the lateral shield 30 are preferably made from low-carbon steel. In other examples, they may be made from any material with a high iron content, such as conventional mu-metal materials known in the art. As understood, the main magnetic shield 25, the secondary magnetic shield 29, and the lateral shield 30 cooperate to magnetically shield the main magnet 27 and secondary magnet 28 within the shuttle 20, thereby inhibiting the propagation of their magnetic fields beyond the shuttle 20. The combined shield as described cannot completely encapsulate the magnetic elements 27 and 28 (as the magnetic elements magnetically interact with the magnetic guide 130 and house the tube passage 40), but it helps to reduce the propagation and intensity of the magnetic field beyond the shuttle 20. When the shuttle 20 is mounted on the tube and aligned with the magnetic guide 130 inside it, it should be noted that the combined shield described also shields the magnetic field generated from the magnetic guide 130 (which is located inside the shuttle 20 in this case), and effectively redirects the combined magnetic field generated from the complete magnetic circuit containing the main magnetic element 27 and 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.

[0037] It has been found that adjusting the thickness of the main magnetic shield 25 and the secondary magnetic shield 29 (for example, made from low-carbon steel) can affect the magnetic coupling strength with the magnetic guide 130. For example, increasing the thickness of the main magnetic shield 25 increases the shunt of the respective magnetic fields from one main magnetic element 27 to the other, which effectively helps to drive the combined main magnetic field radially inward toward the axis of the tube passage 40 (and the magnetic guide 130). This tends to strengthen the coupling force between the main magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 in the tube, which is received through the tube passage 40. Similarly, increasing the thickness of the secondary magnetic shield 29 increases the shunt of the respective magnetic fields between the secondary magnetic elements 28. This reinforces the magnetic coupling between the secondary magnetic elements 28 and the magnetic guide 130. It may be useful to adjust the thickness of the respective main magnetic shield 25 and secondary magnetic shield 29 to optimize the coupling with the magnetic guide 130. In other words, increasing the coupling force between the main magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 makes the available translational (axial) force to the guide member 122 (and cleaning member 124) attached to the magnetic guide 130 stronger via the translation of the shuttle 20. However, such an increase in coupling force increases the transverse (radial) force between the magnetic guide 130 and the inner diameter of the tube wall, leading to increased friction. Increasing the coupling force between the auxiliary magnetic element 28 and the magnetic guide 130 can reduce this effect by moving the magnetic guide 130 further away from the tube wall adjacent to the main magnetic element 27. These conflicting effects (available translational force due to coupling versus friction) can be optimized by adjusting the relative thickness between the main magnetic shield 25 and the auxiliary magnetic shield 29. For low-carbon steel, the shield thickness is preferably in the range of 0.01 inches to 0.25 inches, more preferably 0.025 inches to 0.175 inches, for both the main magnetic shield 25 and the auxiliary magnetic shield 29. On the other hand, increasing the thickness of the lateral shields can independently help reduce the leakage of magnetic fields from within the shuttle to the external environment.

[0038] Figure 3B shows the principal magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28, which are oriented and aligned as disclosed with respect to the magnetic guide 130 (specifically the internal magnetic element 132), and the resulting cooperating magnetic field. As seen in this figure, the magnetic fields of the principal magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 propagate along an axis aligned perpendicular to the axis of the magnetic field originating from the magnetic guide 130 (e.g., from its element 132). When the magnetic fields are aligned in this manner, the magnetic attraction between the shuttle 20 (via its principal magnetic element 27 / secondary magnetic element 28) and the magnetic guide 130 becomes considerably strong, which has been found to improve the coupling between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 during use. Thus, more force can be applied to the cleaning member 124 in the X direction without discoupling the shuttle 20 from the magnetic guide, in order to overcome the drag resistance introduced by the obstruction encountered by the cleaning member 124 in the pleural tube 10.

[0039] For example, in a conventional shuttle 20 in which a high magnetic field strength rare-earth neodymium magnet, configured as a ring as described in Patent No. 243, is coupled to a neodymium magnet of a similar composition within a magnetic guide 130, typically the shuttle 20 is about 0.4 Ib in the X direction before being uncoupled from the magnetic guide 130. f This delivers a translational force to the cleaning member 124. This is the amount of force available to overcome the resistance introduced by the obstruction in the medical tube 10. On the other hand, using a main magnetic element 27 and a secondary magnetic element 28, which are aligned radially toward the magnetic guide 130 to direct the opposing magnetic fields of the magnetic elements toward the similarly configured magnetic guide 130, as disclosed herein, the shuttle 20 herein delivers a translational force of up to approximately 1.2 lb to the cleaning member 124 before being discoupled from the magnetic guide 130. fIt has been found that it delivers a translational force, i.e., approximately three times the translational force available compared to conventional devices. The increased available translational force is thought to be a 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, which directs the main magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 as disclosed herein. As a result, the ability to overcome and clean blockages in the medical tube 10 is increased, and the incidence of shuttle disengagement is reduced.

[0040] Furthermore, the main magnetic shield 25 and the secondary magnetic shield 29 are thought to help strengthen the effective magnetic attraction between the main magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28, respectively, and the magnetic guide 130. Specifically, the main magnetic shield 25 reinforces the magnetic field of the magnetic elements by coupling the poles of adjacent main magnetic elements 27 and completing the circuit between the main magnetic elements 27. The secondary magnetic shield 29 acts similarly to reinforce the magnetic field of the secondary magnetic elements 28 by completing the circuit between the secondary magnetic elements 28. This increases the ability to overcome and clean blockages in the medical tube 10 and reduces the occurrence of shuttle disconnection.

[0041] As can be understood, the maximum magnitude of the strong magnetic coupling between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 through the tube wall is not always necessary to translate the cleaning member 124. For example, if there is no obstruction, or if there is a minute obstruction, the minimum coupling force may be required to translate the cleaning member 124. In such cases, the maximum coupling force between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 may be undesirable because it would increase the frictional force against the sliding of the shuttle 20 along the tube 110, making the device 100 more cumbersome to use on a daily basis. It would also increase the frictional force between the inner magnetic guide 130 and the inner diameter of the tube 110. Therefore, the shuttle 20 is provided with a mechanism that allows it to operate with reduced magnetic coupling strength and to increase the magnitude of the coupling strength to its maximum only when the surgeon desires to remove or move a stubborn obstruction in the medical tube 10.

[0042] Specifically, as shown in Figures 7 and 10, the shuttle 20, as described above, includes a pressable button 23 located, for example, on the surface of the main magnetic shield 25 opposite the main magnetic element 27. In one example, the button 23 includes a boss 36 extending from its underside through a central opening 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 is seated and rests in contact with the passage body 24, for example, in a radial passage 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 on its opposite surface at a position radially away from the passage body 24. The main magnetic element 27 is preferably bonded to the underside of the magnetic shield (for example, via magnetic interaction), and the main magnetic element 27 is preferably biased to move radially away from the tube passage 40 corresponding to a first position of the main magnetic element 27 (Figure 13), as will be described later. On the other hand, when the button 23 is pressed radially inward, the main magnetic shield 25 and the mounted main magnetic element 27 are preferably driven radially inward against the spring bias until the main magnetic shield 25 and the mounted main magnetic element 27 are seated in contact with the floor of the main magnet recess 33 at a second position of the elements 27 (Figure 14), as will be described later.

[0043] For example, as shown in Figures 11 and 13, the auxiliary magnetic element 28 is fixed within the auxiliary magnet recess 34 of the passage body 24. Conversely, the main magnetic element 27 can be adjusted, for example, between the first and second positions described above, through a range of radial positions of the passage body 24 relative to the tube passage 40. Since the radial position of the auxiliary magnetic element 28 is fixed, the magnetic field strength available from the auxiliary magnetic element 28 for translating the magnetic guide 130 (and thus the cleaning member 124) cannot be manually adjusted. However, by operating button 23, the magnetic field strength available from the main magnetic element 27 for driving the magnetic guide 130 can be manually adjusted, thereby adjusting the main magnetic element 27 between the first and second positions, as will be further described.

[0044] Referring to Figure 13, the main magnetic element 27 is shown in a first (static) position. The magnetic guide 130 is positioned within the tubular passage 40 of the shuttle 20 (inside the tube 110 that is received through the shuttle 20), and the main magnetic element 27 and the secondary magnetic element 28 are magnetically attracted to the magnetic guide 130 from opposing radial directions. 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 induces the movement of the cleaning member 124 inside the pleural tube 10, for example, to remove an obstruction inside the pleural tube 10. This translational motion when the main magnetic element 27 is in a first (static) position away from the tubular passage 40 is generally sufficient for routine cleaning of pleural tubes 10 at predetermined intervals.

[0045] However, if the cleaning member 124 encounters a robust obstruction within the pleural tube 10, additional force in the X direction may be required to traverse or remove the obstruction and keep the cleaning member 124 translating along its path through the pleural tube 10. In such cases, pressing button 23 allows the main magnetic element 27 to be advanced radially inward toward or to a second position where it is seated in each main magnet recess 33 adjacent to the tubular passage 40. In such a radially advanced (second) position, the main magnetic element 27 retracts further into the recess 33, as shown in Figure 14, and is closer to the magnetic guide 130 in the tube 110, which is received within the tubular passage 40 of the shuttle 20. As the main magnetic element 27 is positioned closer to the magnetic guide 130, the magnetic attraction between the main magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 increases, allowing the cleaning member 124 to be subjected to a stronger translational force in the X direction before the shuttle 20 is discoupled from the magnetic guide 130.

[0046] The main magnetic element 27 is shown in a first position in Figure 13 and a second position in Figure 14, but it should be understood that these positions represent the boundaries of the adjustable range. The main magnetic element 27 can be adjusted to any point between these positions to produce a corresponding adjustment to the strength of the magnetic coupling between the main magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130. For example, if a slight increase in the available force in the X direction is desired, simply pressing button 23 slightly can shorten the radial distance between the main magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 by, for example, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, or any other fraction less than 100%. If an additional force in the X direction is desired, pressing button 23 further can shorten the radial distance even more, for example, by 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, or more. The user can press button 23 to shorten the distance between the main magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 by any amount between the first and second positions of the main magnetic element 27. Spring 26 biases button 23 (and the main magnetic element 27) toward a fully radially retracted (i.e., "stationary") position, thus resisting any pressing of button 23. In this way, the user can adjust the degree of increase in magnetic field strength by adjusting the degree to which button 23 is pressed against the spring bias. When the operation is complete, spring 26 returns button 23 (and the main magnetic element 27) to the fully radially retracted "stationary" position.

[0047] In one example, the radial distance (relative to the tube passage 40) between the main magnetic element 27 and the auxiliary magnetic element 28 (with the main magnetic element 27 fully radially engaged and seated with respect to the floor of each main magnet recess) is, for example, 0.5 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.85 inches, 0.95 inches, or 1 inch, depending on the diameter of the tube passage 40 adapted to accommodate a particular tube 110. By positioning the magnetic guide 130 between the main magnetic element 27 and the auxiliary magnetic element 28, the magnetic guide 130 can theoretically be magnetically radially suspended at approximately the center of the tube 110 inside the tube passage 40. Typically, this theoretical possibility is not realized in practice, but nevertheless, by bringing the magnetic guide 130 closer in opposing directions between the main magnetic element 27 and the auxiliary magnetic element 28, the frictional force between the magnetic guide 130 and the guide tube passage can be reduced as the shuttle 20 operates to translate the cleaning member 124. As a result, the amount of force available for the cleaning member 124 to translate in the X direction can be increased as the shuttle 20 translates along the tube 110.

[0048] To maximize the magnetic field strength between one (or both) of the main magnetic elements 27 and the secondary magnetic elements 28 and the magnetic guide 130 in the tube 110 received within the tube passage 40 (where desired), the radial distance between them should be minimized. In one example, the radial distance between the main magnetic elements 27 and the magnetic guide 130 can be shortened by introducing an opening 41 into the base wall of each main magnet recess 33, thereby effectively shortening the outer diameter of the tube passage 40 near each recess 33 so that the main magnetic elements 27 can be driven more radially inward. This is shown in Figure 12. By removing a portion of the passage body 24 that constitutes the peripheral wall of the tube passage 40 near the recess 33, the main magnetic elements 27 can be seated more radially inward and closer to the inner diameter of the tube passage 40 (or even within a portion thereof). Furthermore, if desired, similar openings can be provided in the base of each auxiliary magnet recess 34 to increase the degree of radial inward fixation of the auxiliary magnetic element 28. However, in practice, such openings in the base of the auxiliary magnet recess 34 are not very desirable. This is because, when a stronger coupling (via pressing the button 23) is not required to overcome an obstruction in the tube, a certain distance is desirable to reduce the coupling force (and thus the frictional force resulting from resisting the translation of either the shuttle 20 or the magnetic guide 130).

[0049] In the embodiments described, the coupling strength of the magnetic field between the main magnetic element 27 in the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 in the tube, which is received in the tube passage 40, can be adjusted by adjusting the radial position of the main magnetic element 27. The embodiments also disclose two main magnetic elements 27 and two secondary magnetic elements 28. However, in an alternative embodiment, the shuttle 20 may have only one main magnetic element 27 and one opposing secondary magnetic element 28 along a common radius with respect to the tube passage 40, as previously described. In addition, the main magnetic element(s) 27 do not need to be adjustable. Rather, the main magnetic element(s) may be in a fixed position.

[0050] Figure 15, as previously described, shows a partial cross-sectional view of the shuttle 20 in which the main magnetic element 27 is not adjustable. In this embodiment, the coupling strength between the main magnetic element 27 and the magnetic guide 130 is not adjustable. This embodiment is desirable from the standpoint of ease of manufacture, but it does not have an adjustable coupling strength with the magnetic guide 130 as in other disclosed embodiments.

[0051] Referring here to Figures 16 to 18, the cleaning device 100 described herein is shown fitted to the thoracic tube 10 via a thoracic tube fitting 92 that ensures a fluid tight connection between the distal end of the shuttle guide tube 110 and the proximal end of the thoracic tube 10, while providing fluid communication between the thoracic tube passage and the guide tube passage 116. The thoracic tube 10 has walls having an outer circumference and an inner diameter that defines the thoracic tube passage.

[0052] As described above, once the cleaning device 100 and the pleural tube 10 are fitted together, the guide member 122 and the cleaning member 124 located at its distal end can be moved forward and backward relative to the pleural tube 10 to assist in removing debris from the pleural tube 10, as described below. When in use, the magnetic guide 130 and the main magnetic element 27 and secondary magnetic element 28 of the shuttle 20 are magnetically attracted to and coupled to each other when the shuttle 20 is mounted on or properly positioned on the guide tube 110. This causes the magnetic guide 130 to be coupled to the shuttle 20 via a magnetic force acting through the wall of the guide tube 110. As a result, sliding or translating the shuttle 20 longitudinally along the length of the shuttle guide tube 110 induces corresponding translational motions between the magnetic guide 130, which is magnetically coupled to the shuttle 20, and the guide member 122, which is fixed to the magnetic guide 130. In Figure 16, the shuttle 20 (circumstantial) is shown in contact with the shuttle stopper 150 in a first position. The length of the guide member 122 between its distal end and the point where it is fixed to the magnetic guide 130 is preferably selected to be substantially equal to the length of the thoracic tube 10 plus a length corresponding to the distance between the shuttle stopper 150 and the point where the thoracic tube 10 engages with the joint 92. In this embodiment, when the shuttle 20 is positioned in contact with the shuttle stopper 150 (the magnetic guide 130 is interlocked with the shuttle 20 along the length of the guide tube 110), the cleaning member 124 at the distal end of the guide member 122 is positioned adjacent to its distal end in the thoracic tube 10 and does not protrude from the thoracic tube 10 into the body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, this is the first position of the cleaning member 124, and the cleaning member 124 is normally stationary in this position when the cleaning device 100 is not being used to actively remove debris from the thoracic tube 10.

[0053] During operation, when the pleural tube 10 (its distal end) is inserted into the patient's body cavity and the shuttle guide tube 110 is connected to the suction source 200 at its proximal end, fluid from the body cavity enters and passes through the pleural tube passage, then is drawn through the guide tube passage 116 and collected or disposed of in any preferred or conventional manner, such as in a conventional collection canister (not shown). (Alternatively, as described above, the guide tube 110 may 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 is drawn mainly through the main suction circuit and not through the guide tube 110). In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning member 124 is in the form of a wire loop that rubs against the inner diameter of the pleural tube 10 as it translates along the length of the pleural tube 10.

[0054] As described above, the cleaning member 124 (e.g., a loop) is typically positioned inside the pleural tube passage adjacent to the distal end of the pleural tube 10. To help remove accumulated clots and other debris 400 from the pleural tube 10, the shuttle 20 is positioned on the tube 110 so as to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic guide 130 inside the tube 110. Once the shuttle 20 is fitted in this manner and magnetically coupled to the magnetic guide 130 inside the tube 110, a nurse, physician, or other operator pulls the shuttle 20 proximal along the length of the guide tube 110 toward the proximal end of the tube 110. The magnetic attraction between the magnetic guide 130 and the main magnetic element 27 and secondary magnetic element 28 of the shuttle holds the magnetic guide 130 in conjunction with the shuttle 20 as the shuttle 20 translates proximal. This then causes the guide member 122 and the cleaning member 124 to be drawn proximal through the pleural tube passage, as shown in Figure 17. When the cleaning member 124 is moved proximal, it engages with the coagulated material and other debris 400 in its path, pushing such material and debris proximal (Figures 17 and 18) toward the proximal end of the pleural tube passage, and finally exiting the passage and pushing into the guide tube passage 116 (Figure 18). To perform this action, it is preferable for the surgeon to grasp the shuttle 20 with one hand and the proximal end of the guide tube 110 with the other hand, so that the tensile force applied to the shuttle 20 is applied against the reaction force applied to the tube 110 via the other hand, rather than against the suture line that holds the pleural tube 10 in place in the patient. Alternatively, the same objective may be achieved by grasping a different portion of the guide tube 110 or the shuttle stopper 150 with the other hand before sliding the shuttle 20. Optionally, the cleaning member 124 may alternately move backward and forward relative to the pleural tube passage to help break up coagulated material or other debris and to assist in moving such debris proximally. Once the cleaning operation is complete, the shuttle 20 can be used to return the magnetic guide 130 and, consequently, the cleaning member 124 to their resting positions.

[0055] If additional translational force is desired to traverse or remove a stubborn mass within the chest tube 10, the user can enhance the magnetic field between the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 by pressing a button 23 on the shuttle 20 to radially advance the main magnetic element 27 toward the tube passage 40 within it.

[0056] In embodiments where such a button 23 is provided, the button 23 is described as activating both of the illustrated principal magnetic elements 27 simultaneously. However, in selected embodiments, one principal magnetic element 27 can normally (or always) be fully advanced (or seated) radially toward or in contact with the tube passage 40 of the passage body 24, and activation of the button 23 advances (or retracts) a second (or more) principal magnetic element 27 to adjust the coupling magnetic field strength. Alternatively, one of the described buttons 23 may be provided for each principal magnetic element 27, and these magnetic elements 27 can be individually and selectively advanced radially to adjust the coupling strength with the in-tube magnetic guide 130 received through the tube passage 40. In addition, although the button 23 is described as a pressable button 23, it may be replaced with a rocker switch or another type of switch to advance the principal magnetic element 27(s) radially. Optionally, for example, button 23 (or other switch) may be provided with a locking mechanism that locks button 23 in a fully radially advanced position (or at a different, for example, user-selected degree of advancement) as desired.

[0057] As understood, if the shuttle 20 becomes discoupled from the magnetic guide 130 in the guide tube 110 while the shuttle 20 is being used to operate the cleaning member 124 in the medical tube 10, the shuttle 20 and the magnetic guide 130 can be magnetically recoupled by advancing the shuttle 20 forward (or backward) until the magnetic coupling is re-established. Alternatively, the surgeon may manually engage the guide member 122 through the tube wall by squeezing the thoracic tube 10 or the guide tube 110, and hold the shuttle 20 in place while it translates to magnetically re-engage with the magnetic guide 130 through the wall of the guide tube 110. In addition to facilitating the translation of the guide member 122 via the magnetic coupling between the shuttle 20 (its magnetic element) and the magnetic guide 130, the disclosed embodiments also facilitate the rotation of the guide member 122 in the thoracic tube 10 / guide tube 110 by rotating the shuttle 20 around the outside of the tube. The magnetic fields aligned transversely from the opposing first magnetic element 27 and second magnetic element 28 within the shuttle 20 are magnetically coupled to the magnetic guide 130 in a fixed orientation. Therefore, by rotating the shuttle 20 around the tube, the magnetic guide 130 (and the guide member 122 to which the magnetic guide 130 is attached) rotates in the tube in response, as a result of its fixed orientation. This can be useful for removing obstructive debris within the tube and for searching for blockages or twists resulting from curvature or bending within the tube (e.g., due to kinks within the tube).

[0058] While the present invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the essentially exemplary and non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all variations and modifications that would be conceivable to those skilled in the art by examining this disclosure and that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for removing blockages, A tubular passage is defined, configured to house a tube, and a shuttle is provided which, once housed within the tubular passage, is adapted to translate along the length of the tube. The shuttle comprises a first main magnetic element, The first principal magnetic element is positioned such that the first principal magnetic field axis of the first principal magnetic field generated by the first principal magnetic element is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube passage when viewed from the side of the shuttle. The apparatus wherein the first main magnetic element is adjustable between a first position away from the tube passage and a second position close to the tube passage.

2. The shuttle further comprises a second principal magnetic element, The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second principal magnetic element is positioned such that the second principal magnetic field axis of the second principal magnetic field generated by the second principal magnetic element is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube passage when viewed from the side of the shuttle.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, 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.

4. The tube passage is further provided with a tube that is received within it and has a magnetic guide inside, The first principal magnetic field axis is substantially aligned with the south pole end of the magnetic guide along the longitudinal axis. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second principal magnetic field axis is substantially aligned with the north pole end of the magnetic guide along the longitudinal axis.

5. The shuttle further comprises a first submagnetic element, The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first auxiliary magnetic element is positioned such that the first auxiliary magnetic field axis of the first auxiliary magnetic field generated by the first auxiliary magnetic element is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube passage when viewed from the side of the shuttle.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first principal magnetic element and the first secondary magnetic element face each other with respect to the tube passage such that the first principal magnetic field axis and the first secondary magnetic field axis are radially aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube passage.

7. The tube passage is further provided with a tube that is received within it and has a magnetic guide inside, The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first main magnetic field axis and the first secondary magnetic field axis are substantially aligned with the south pole end of the magnetic guide along the longitudinal axis.

8. The shuttle further comprises a second submagnetic element, The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second auxiliary magnetic element is positioned such that the axis of the second auxiliary magnetic field generated by the second auxiliary magnetic element is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube passage when viewed from the side of the shuttle.

9. The tube passage is further provided with a tube that is received within it and has a magnetic guide inside, The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the strength of the magnetic coupling between the magnetic guide and the first main magnetic element is adjustable by adjusting the first main magnetic element between a first position and a second position.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shuttle further comprises a button that is spring-biased radially away from the tube passage, and when the button is pressed against the spring bias, the first principal magnetic element is biased from a first position toward a second position.

11. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first auxiliary magnetic element is fixed within the shuttle.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a main magnetic shield disposed adjacent to the exposed surface of the first main magnetic element.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the shuttle further comprises a lateral magnetic shield extending from one side of the tube passage to the opposite side of the tube passage.

14. The shuttle further comprises a passage body that defines the tube passage, The lateral magnetic shield comprises a ferromagnetic material and is seated on fins extending laterally from the passage body. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the fins are sized to maintain the shape of the lateral magnetic shield against deformation induced by the first principal magnetic field.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the fin has a projection configured to fit into the opening of the lateral magnetic shield.

16. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a secondary magnetic shield disposed adjacent to the exposed surface of the first secondary magnetic element.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shuttle further comprises a passage body having a main recess configured to define the tube passage and to receive the first main magnetic element.

18. A device for removing blockages, Equipped with a shuttle adapted to translate along the length of the tube, The shuttle is A tube passage having a longitudinal axis configured to accommodate a tube, and a passage body defining a first main magnet recess located outside the tube passage, A first principal magnetic element that is received in the first principal magnet recess and generates a first principal magnetic field along a first principal magnetic field axis that is radially aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis, Within the first main magnet recess, there is a button that can be operated to adjust the first main magnetic element so that it is slidable between a first position radially away from the tube passage and a second position radially close to the tube passage. A device equipped with the following features.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the shuttle further comprises a first auxiliary magnetic element that generates a first auxiliary magnetic field which is radially aligned with the first principal magnetic field axis with respect to the longitudinal axis and is generated along a first auxiliary magnetic field axis opposite to the first principal magnetic field axis.

20. The shuttle further comprises a main magnetic shield positioned adjacent to the exposed surface of the first main magnetic element, a lateral magnetic shield extending from one side of the passage body to the opposite side of the passage body, and a secondary magnetic shield positioned adjacent to the exposed surface of the first secondary magnetic element. The lateral magnetic shield comprises a ferromagnetic material and is seated on fins extending laterally from the passage body. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the fins are sized to maintain the shape of the lateral magnetic shield against deformation induced by the first principal magnetic field.

21. The passage body further defines a second main magnet recess located outside the tube passage, adjacent to and spaced apart from the first main magnet recess along the longitudinal axis, The aforementioned shuttle, A second principal magnetic element is received within the second principal magnet recess and generates a second principal magnetic field along a second principal magnetic field axis that is parallel to the first principal magnetic field axis and radially aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis, A second auxiliary magnetic element is adjacent to and separated from the first auxiliary magnetic element along the longitudinal axis, the second auxiliary magnetic element is radially aligned with the second principal magnetic field axis with respect to the longitudinal axis and generates a second auxiliary magnetic field along a second auxiliary magnetic field axis opposite to the second principal magnetic field axis, Furthermore, The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the button is operable to adjust both the first main magnetic element and the second main magnetic element together between the first and second positions within the respective first main magnet recess and second main magnet recess.

22. A method for removing an obstruction, A shuttle positioned outside the tube is translated along the length of the tube, and correspondingly, an elongated guide member positioned at least partially inside the tube and magnetically coupled to the shuttle through the wall of the tube is translated, wherein the magnetic field generated by the shuttle is positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube when viewed from the side of the shuttle. By adjusting the position of the first magnetic element positioned within the shuttle, the amount of translational force available to translate the cleaning member attached to or formed together with the elongated guide member within the tube is adjusted. Includes, A method wherein the position of the first magnetic element is dynamically adjustable between a first position away from the tube and a second position close to the tube as the shuttle is translated along the tube.

23. A device for removing blockages, A tube passage is defined, configured to house a tube, and when housed within the tube passage, a shuttle is adapted to translate along the length of the tube. A first principal magnetic element, which is adjustable between a first position away from the tube and a second position close to the tube, in order to adjust the coupling strength between the first principal magnetic element and a magnetic guide that is received through the tube passage and disposed within the tube, A device equipped with the following features.

Images