CATHETER DEVICE

• US 20080287888A1
• Filed: 07/29/2008
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phase One Medical, LLC
• Original Assignee: Phase One Medical, LLC
• Inventors: Ravenscroft, Adrian C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,007,488 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/249
• 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 2025/0037 characterized by lumina being arranged side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0096 being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0177 having external means for receiving guide wires, wires or stiffening members, e.g. loops, clamps or lateral tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/003 characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the distal part of the catheter, e.g. filters, plugs or valves catheter tips A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0043 characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0075 Valve means

Abstract

A catheter includes an elongate body having first and second chambers extending within the elongate body from a proximal end to an intermediate section, the first chamber having a first opening and the second chamber having a second opening at the intermediate section. The catheter also includes a valve structure that may have first and second barrier elements to open or close the first and second openings, respectively. The first and the second barrier elements may be coupled by a connecting structure moving within an opening in a guide structure. Alternatively, the first and the second barrier elements may be coupled in a U-shaped structure that moves over the guide structure. To permit flushing of the chambers when the first and second openings are closed, the first and second chambers may also be connected by a connecting channel defined by an opening in a wall of the elongate body.

Claims

1. A catheter, comprising:

an elongate body with a distal end, a proximal end, and an intermediate section disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongate body including;

a first chamber and a second chamber extending within the elongate body from the proximal end to the intermediate section, the first chamber having a first chamber opening at the intermediate section, and the second chamber having a second chamber opening at the intermediate section; and

a guide structure extending from the intermediate section to the distal end; and

a valve structure movable along the guide structure between a covered position and an uncovered position, the valve structure covering the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the covered position, and the valve structure uncovering the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the uncovered position.

2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongate body includes a wall dividing the first chamber and the second chamber and extending past the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening to define the guide structure.

3. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the valve structure includes a first barrier element and a second barrier element, the first barrier element covering the first chamber opening and the second barrier element covering the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the covered position, and the first barrier element uncovering the first chamber opening and the second barrier element uncovering the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the covered position.

4. The catheter of claim 3, wherein the first barrier element and the second barrier element include a corresponding tapered structure that extends into the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively, when the valve structure is in the covered position.

5. The catheter of claim 4, wherein the tapered structure includes at least one sealing structure providing a sealing engagement with walls of the corresponding first chamber or second chamber when the valve structure is in the covered position.

6. The catheter of claim 4, wherein the tapered structure is formed from a soft elastomer.

7. The catheter of claim 4, wherein the first barrier element and the second barrier element include a corresponding partially domed structure extending from the tapered structure toward the distal end, the partially domed structure being disposed outside the corresponding first chamber or second chamber when the valve structure is in the covered position.

8. The catheter of claim 7, wherein the partially domed structure is formed from a hard plastic.

9. The catheter of claim 3, wherein the valve structure includes a connecting structure connecting the first barrier element and the second barrier element and passing through an opening extending along the guide structure, the connecting structure moving along the opening when the valve structure moves between the covered position and the uncovered position.

10. The catheter of claim 9, wherein the connecting structure is a thin strip and the opening in the guide structure is an elongate slit.

11. The catheter of claim 9, further comprising a control wire coupled to the connecting structure, the control wire being movable to control movement of the connecting structure along the opening and corresponding movement of the valve structure between the covered position and the uncovered position.

12. The catheter of claim 11 wherein the control wire extends through a channel in a wall dividing the first chamber and the second chamber.

13. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongate body includes a wall dividing the first chamber and the second chamber and extending past the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening to define the guide structure, and

the valve structure includes a first barrier element and a second barrier element disposed on opposite sides of the guide structure, the first barrier element covering the first chamber opening and the second barrier element covering the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the covered position, and the first barrier element uncovering the first chamber opening and the second barrier element uncovering the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the covered position.

14. The catheter of claim 13, further comprising a guide wire channel extending through the wall dividing the first chamber and the second chamber, the guide wire channel configured to receive a guide wire for positioning the elongate body in a body passageway.

15. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising a fluid source coupled to the first chamber at the proximal end and a vacuum source coupled to the second chamber at the proximal end, the fluid source causing an outflow from the first chamber through the first chamber opening, and the vacuum source causing an inflow into the second chamber through the second chamber opening.

16. The catheter of claim 15, wherein the guide structure substantially separates the inflow into the second chamber from the outflow from the first chamber.

17. The catheter of claim 15, wherein the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening are positioned according to a configuration that substantially separates the inflow into the second chamber from the outflow from the first chamber.

18. The catheter of claim 17, wherein the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening are positioned on opposite sides of the guide structure.

19. The catheter of claim 18, wherein the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening are positioned at substantially equal distances from the distal end.

20. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are connected by a connecting channel, and fluid flows between the first chamber and the second chamber through the connecting channel when the valve structure is in the covered position.

21. The catheter of claim 20, wherein the connecting channel is defined by a cover positioned over an opening in the elongate body, the opening extending between the first chamber and the second chamber.

22. A catheter, comprising:

an elongate body with a distal end, a proximal end, and an intermediate section disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongate body including;

a first chamber and a second chamber extending within the elongate body from the proximal end to the intermediate section, the first chamber having a first chamber opening at the intermediate section, and the second chamber having a second chamber opening at the intermediate section; and

a guide structure extending from the intermediate section toward the distal end; and

a valve structure positioned at the distal end and movable along the guide structure between a covered position and an uncovered position, the valve structure covering the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the covered position, and the valve structure uncovering the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the uncovered position.

23. The catheter of claim 22, wherein the elongate body includes a wall dividing the first chamber and the second chamber and extending past the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening to define the guide structure.

24. The catheter of claim 22, wherein the valve structure includes a first barrier element and a second barrier element, the first barrier element covering the first chamber opening and the second barrier element covering the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the covered position, and the first barrier element uncovering the first chamber opening and the second barrier element uncovering the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the covered position.

25. The catheter of claim 24, wherein the valve structure is a U-shaped structure disposed over the guide structure, the first barrier element and the second barrier element being positioned on opposing sides of the guide structure and extending to an end structure that defines the distal end and connects the first barrier element and the second barrier element.

26. The catheter of claim 25, wherein the end structure is a substantially domed structure.

27. The catheter of claim 25, wherein the end structure is formed from a hard plastic.

28. The catheter of claim 25, further comprising a control wire coupled to the end structure, the control wire being movable to control movement of the end structure to and from the guide structure and corresponding movement of the valve structure between the covered position and the uncovered position.

29. The catheter of claim 28, wherein the control wire extends through a channel in the guide structure and the wall dividing the first chamber and the second chamber.

30. The catheter of claim 25, further comprising a guide wire channel extending through the wall dividing the first chamber and the second chamber, the guide structure, and the end structure, the guide wire channel configured to receive a guide wire for positioning the elongate body in a body passageway.

31. The catheter of claim 24, wherein the first barrier element and the second barrier element include a corresponding tapered structure that extends into the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively, when the valve structure is in the covered position.

32. The catheter of claim 25, wherein the tapered structure includes at least one sealing structure providing a sealing engagement with walls of the corresponding first chamber or second chamber when the valve structure is in the covered position.

33. The catheter of claim 25, wherein the tapered structure is formed from a soft elastomer.

34. The catheter of claim 22, further comprising a fluid source coupled to the first chamber at the proximal end and a vacuum source coupled to the second chamber at the proximal end, the fluid source causing an outflow from the first chamber through the first chamber opening, and the vacuum source causing an inflow into the second chamber through the second chamber opening.

35. The catheter of claim 34, wherein the guide structure substantially separates the inflow into the second chamber from the outflow from the first chamber.

36. The catheter of claim 34, wherein the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening are positioned according to a configuration that substantially separates the inflow into the second chamber from the outflow from the first chamber.

37. The catheter of claim 36, wherein the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening are positioned on opposite sides of the guide structure.

38. The catheter of claim 37, wherein the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening are positioned at substantially equal distances from the distal end.

39. The catheter of claim 22, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are connected by a connecting channel, and fluid flows between the first chamber and the second chamber through the connecting channel when the valve structure is in the covered position.

40. The catheter of claim 39, wherein the connecting channel is defined by a cover positioned over an opening in the elongate body, the opening extending between the first chamber and the second chamber.

41. A catheter, comprising:

an elongate body with a distal end, a proximal end, and an intermediate structure disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongate body including;

a chamber extending within the elongate body from the proximal end to the intermediate section, the chamber having a chamber opening at the intermediate section; and

a guide structure extending from the intermediate section to the distal end; and

a valve structure movable along the guide, the valve structure moving between an uncovered position at the distal end uncovering the chamber opening and a covered position at the intermediate section covering the chamber opening.

42. The catheter of claim 41, wherein, when the valve structure is in the uncovered position, the valve structure and guide structure define a contoured leading edge at the distal end, the contoured leading edge being guidable through a body passageway.

43. A catheter, comprising:

an elongate body including an outer wall ending from a proximal end to a distal end, a first chamber and a second chamber extending within the outer wall, the first chamber having a first chamber opening and the second chamber having a second chamber opening, the first chamber and the second chamber being connected by a connecting channel in the outer wall; and

a valve structure movable between a covered position and an uncovered position, the valve structure covering the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the covered position, and the valve structure uncovering the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the uncovered position,

wherein fluid flows between the first chamber and the second chamber through the connecting channel when the valve structure is in the covered position.

44. The catheter of claim 43, wherein the elongate body includes a dividing wall extending along a longitudinal direction and dividing the first chamber and the second chamber, and the connecting channel extends inwardly from an outer surface of the outer wall into a part of the dividing wall and extends across opposing sides of the dividing wall, the opposing sides corresponding to the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively.

45. The catheter of claim 44, wherein the connecting channel has a tapered profile, the tapered profile widening as the connecting channel extends across the opposing sides of the dividing wall.

46. The catheter of claim 43, wherein the connecting channel comprises:

a groove that extends inwardly from an outer surface of the outer wall and partially through the outer wall;

at least one first aperture connecting the groove to the first chamber; and

at least one second aperture connecting the groove to the second chamber.

47. The catheter of claim 46, wherein the connecting channel extends completely around a periphery of the outer wall.

48. The catheter of claim 46, wherein the groove has a thickness that is approximately half of a thickness for the outer wall.

49. The catheter of claim 43, wherein the connecting channel is disposed along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

50. The catheter of claim 43, wherein the connecting channel extends along a periphery of the outer wall.

51. The catheter of claim 43, further comprising an outer cover sealing the connecting channel along an outer surface of the outer wall.

52. The catheter of claim 51, wherein the outer cover is an elastomer or radiopaque band positioned around a periphery of the outer wall.

53. A method for operating a catheter in a body passageway, comprising:

guiding a catheter through a body passageway, the catheter including an elongate body with a distal end, a proximal end, and an intermediate section disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongate body including;

a first chamber and a second chamber extending within the elongate body from the proximal end to the intermediate section, the first chamber and the second chamber having a first chamber opening and a second chamber opening at the intermediate section, respectively; and

a guide structure extending from the intermediate section to the distal end; and

moving a valve structure along the guide structure between a covered position and an uncovered position, the valve structure covering the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the covered position, and the valve structure uncovering the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the uncovered position.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein guiding the catheter through a body passageway includes:

extending a guide wire to a position in the body passageway;

positioning the guide wire within a guide wire channel extending through the elongate body;

guiding the catheter along the guide with to the location in the body passageway; and

extracting the guide wire from the catheter and the body passageway.

55. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

coupling a fluid source to the first chamber at the proximal end;

coupling a vacuum source to the second chamber at the proximal end; and

when the valve structure is in the uncovered position, generating, with the fluid source, an outflow from the first chamber through the first chamber opening, and generating, with the vacuum source, an inflow into the second chamber through the second chamber opening.

56. A method for operating a catheter in a body passageway, comprising:

guiding a catheter through a body passageway, the catheter including an elongate body with a distal end, a proximal end, and an intermediate section disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, the elongate body including;

a first chamber and a second chamber extending within the elongate body from the proximal end to the intermediate section, the first chamber having a first chamber opening at the intermediate section, and the second chamber having a second chamber opening at the intermediate section; and

a guide structure extending from the intermediate section toward the distal end; and

moving a U-shaped valve structure positioned at the distal end along the guide structure between a covered position and an uncovered position, the valve structure covering the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the covered position, and the valve structure uncovering the first chamber opening and the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the uncovered position.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the valve structure includes a first barrier element and a second barrier element, the first barrier element covering the first chamber opening and the second barrier element covering the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the covered position, the first barrier element uncovering the first chamber opening and the second barrier element uncovering the second chamber opening when the valve structure is in the covered position, and the first barrier element and the second barrier element being positioned on opposing sides of the guide structure and extending to a substantially domed structure that defines the distal end and connects the first barrier element and the second barrier element

58. The method of claim 56, wherein guiding the catheter through a body passageway includes:

extending a guide wire to a position in the body passageway;

positioning the guide wire within a guide wire channel extending through the elongate body;

guiding the catheter along the guide with to the location in the body passageway; and

extracting the guide wire from the catheter and the body passageway.

59. The method of claim 56, further comprising:

coupling a fluid source to the first chamber at the proximal end;

coupling a vacuum source to the second chamber at the proximal end; and

when the valve structure is in the uncovered position, generating, with the fluid source, an outflow from the first chamber through the first chamber opening, and generating, with the vacuum source, an inflow into the second chamber through the second chamber opening.