Apparatuses, systems, and methods for inserting catheters having enhanced stiffening and guiding features

• US 10,258,768 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2015
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Loesener, German, Prechtel, Ericka J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Brandy S
• Application Number:
  US14/799,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20160008573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3661 for haemodialysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0031 characterized by lumina for withdrawing or delivering, i.e. used for extracorporeal circuit treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0009 Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0102 Insertion or introduction using an inner stiffening member, e.g. stylet or push-rod

Abstract

Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for introducing a catheter into a patient'"'"'s body. In one embodiment, a catheter apparatus includes a catheter body having a first lumen capable of fluid communication via a first distal opening and a second lumen capable of fluid communication via a second distal opening, a first intra-catheter stiffener element for disposition through the first lumen such that a distal end thereof is distal in relation to the first distal opening, and a second intra-catheter stiffener element configured for disposition through the second lumen such that a distal end thereof is distal in relation to the second distal opening, one of the first intra-catheter stiffener element distal end and the second intra-catheter stiffener element distal end capable of receiving and accommodating the other of the first intra-catheter stiffener element distal end and the second intra-catheter stiffener element distal end.

Claims

1. A catheter apparatus, comprising:

a catheter body comprising a first lumen capable of fluid communication via a first distal opening and a second lumen capable of fluid communication via a second distal opening;

a first intra-catheter stiffener element configured for disposition through the first lumen such that a distal end thereof is distal in relation to the first distal opening, the first intra-catheter stiffener element comprising a stylet including a distal end region, the distal end region comprising;

a proximal portion coupled to a body of the stylet having a first width, the proximal portion increasing distally to a second width larger than the first width;

a proximal opening in the proximal portion;

a distal portion coupled to the proximal portion, the distal portion decreasing distally from the second width to a third width smaller than the second width; and

a distal opening in the distal portion, the distal opening in fluid communication with the proximal opening; and

a second intra-catheter stiffener element configured for disposition through the distal opening of the distal end region of the first intra-catheter stiffener element, the proximal opening of the distal end region of the first intra-catheter stiffener element, and the second lumen.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the catheter body comprises a septum for separating the first lumen and the second lumen from one another, the septum having a distal end extending beyond at least one of the first distal opening and the second distal opening for at least minimizing backflow into at least one of the first lumen and the second lumen.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, the second intra-catheter stiffener element consisting of a guidewire.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first intra-catheter stiffener element comprises a first length, and wherein the second intra-catheter stiffener element comprises a second length, the second length less than the first length.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first intra-catheter stiffener element includes a first coupler at a proximal end thereof, and wherein the second intra-catheter stiffener element includes a second coupler at a proximal end thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first coupler of the first intra-catheter stiffener element mates with the first coupler at a first proximal opening of the catheter body, and wherein the second coupler of the second intra-catheter stiffener element mates with the second coupler at a second proximal opening of the catheter body.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the distal end of the first intra-catheter stiffener element is distal in relation to a distal end of the second intra-catheter stiffener element when the first coupler and the second coupler are coupled to the catheter body.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first intra-catheter stiffener element comprises an exterior cross-sectional shape complementing an interior cross-sectional shape of the first lumen, and wherein the second intra-catheter stiffener element comprises an exterior cross-sectional shape complementing an interior cross-sectional shape of the second lumen.

9. A method of fabricating a catheter apparatus, comprising:

forming a catheter comprising;

a first lumen capable of fluid communication via a first distal opening;

a second lumen capable of fluid communication via a second distal opening; and

a septum separating the first lumen from the second lumen, the septum having an extended portion extending distally beyond at least one of the first distal opening and the second distal opening;

forming a first intra-catheter stiffener element configured for disposition through the first lumen such that a distal end thereof is distal in relation to the first distal opening; and

forming a second intra-catheter stiffener element configured for disposition through the second lumen such that a distal end thereof is distal in relation to the second distal opening, the second intra-catheter stiffener element distal end designed for receiving and accommodating the first intra-catheter stiffener element distal end, the second intra catheter stiffener element including a cover portion at the distal end, the cover portion having a retracted configuration in the second lumen and an expanded configuration distal of the second lumen, the cover portion designed to engage the extended portion of the septum.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the cover portion is transitioned between the retracted configuration and the expanded configuration via rotation and translation in relation to a longitudinal axis thereof.