CPC A61B 17/3207 (2013.01) [A61M 16/0406 (2014.02); A61M 25/0068 (2013.01); A61M 2025/006 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0096 (2013.01); A61M 2210/101 (2013.01)] | 21 Claims |
1. A method of removing fluid and performing mechanical pleurodesis comprising:
inserting a catheter into a patient's pleural cavity, the catheter comprising a lumen and an outer wall at least partially surrounding the lumen with an external surface extending from a proximal end of the catheter to an opening of the lumen at a distal most tip of the catheter, wherein a distal end portion of the external surface of the catheter comprises a plurality of protrusions thereon;
using the lumen of the catheter to remove pleural fluid from the patient's pleural cavity; and
performing mechanical pleurodesis by irritating tissue of the pleural cavity to promote the creation of fibrous adhesions between visceral layers of the pleural cavity, wherein the mechanical pleurodesis is performed by moving the distal end portion of the catheter within the pleural cavity to cause contact between the plurality of protrusions and tissue of the pleural cavity.
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