Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is directed to a drainage catheter including an elongated hollow drainage tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a tip, a flexible region adjacent the tip, a filament routing channel, a hub associated with the proximal end of the elongated hollow drainage tube, and a filament member associated with the flexible tip for altering the shape of the flexible tip to facilitate retention of the drainage tube in a patient's body. The filament member is slidably positioned within the filament routing member in the distal end of the drainage tube to permit removal of same from the catheter. The filament member exits the catheter through the hub, which further includes at least one filament member passageway. The filament member passageways enable slidable movement of the filament member therein, while also maintaining a liquid tight seal from leakage through the hub. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the drainage catheter including the steps of associating the filament member with an insert member, positioning the insert member and the filament member inside the distal end of the elongated hollow drainage tube, energizing the distal end of the elongated hollow drainage tube proximate the insert member to secure the insert member and filament within a filament routing channel in the elongated hollow drainage tube, and forming a hub on the proximal end of the elongated hollow drainage tube around the filament member to create a liquid tight seal.

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First Claim