Catheter
First Claim
1. A catheter comprising an elongated tube having a series of inlet holes that progressively decrease in cross-sectional area from the most proximal inlet hole to the most distal inlet hole.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved drainage catheter having one or more inlet holes along the length of the catheter is described whereby the cross-sectional areas of the successive inlet holes decreases, the decrease first occurring at the inlet hole immediately following the most proximal inlet hole. This change in cross-sectional area alters the typical inflow of fluid into the catheter such that a disproportionately high volume of fluid no longer enters the most proximal inlet hole. This decrease in inflow at the most proximal inlet hole results in less deposition of debris within the catheter at that position. With less deposition of debris at this location, the likelihood of complete catheter failure is reduced. A preferred embodiment is described wherein the change in cross-sectional area results in approximately uniform inflow into all inlet holes.
136 Citations
9 Claims
- 1. A catheter comprising an elongated tube having a series of inlet holes that progressively decrease in cross-sectional area from the most proximal inlet hole to the most distal inlet hole.
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4. A catheter comprising:
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a) an elongated tube having a proximal end and a distal end, b) said tube having an annular wall defining a central passageway, c) said wall having four inflow positions along its longitudinal axis, further having one or more inlet holes at each inflow position, d) wherein the total hole area at each successive inflow position decreases, said decrease first occurring at the inflow position immediately following the most proximal inflow position. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification