CATHETERS FOR USE IN THE SUBARACHNOID SPACE AND THE LIKE

• US 20100076407A1
• Filed: 09/19/2008
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Infusion Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Infusion Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Ring, Lawrence Scott
• Application Number:
  US12/234,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20100076407A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/529
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1003 Spinal column
• 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 25/0069 Tip not integral with tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0082 Catheter tip comprising a tool
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation

Abstract

A catheter including an abutment located within the catheter body lumen.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a tubular catheter body defining a distal portion, a distal end and a lumen that extends to the distal end;

a substantially radiopaque marker tip carried by the distal end of the catheter body such that a portion of the marker tip is aligned with the lumen; and

an abutment located within the lumen proximal to the substantially radiopaque marker tip.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular catheter body defines an exterior surface and includes at least one aperture that extends from the exterior surface to the lumen.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular catheter body defines a size and a shape that facilitates insertion into an intrathecal space.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substantially radiopaque marker tip includes a connector that is located within the lumen.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the connector includes a plurality of indentations and portions of the tubular catheter body are located within the indentations.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plurality of indentations comprises a plurality of concentric grooves.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the abutment is integral with the catheter body.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the abutment comprises a cylindrical structure secured to the catheter body.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the catheter body includes at least one exterior groove and/or at least one exterior flow region.

26. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the abutment comprises an injectable and hardenable material.

27. An apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the injectable and hardenable material comprises an adhesive.

28. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal end defines a distal-most surface of the tubular catheter body and the lumen extends through the distal-most surface.

29. An apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein a portion of the substantially radiopaque marker tip abuts the distal-most surface.

30. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the lumen defines a longitudinal axis;

and

the substantially radiopaque marker tip is located on the longitudinal axis.

31. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the abutment defines a distal end;

and

a portion of the lumen is distal of the distal end of the abutment.

32. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the abutment and the catheter are formed from different materials.

10. An apparatus for use with a stylet, comprising:

a tubular catheter body defining a distal portion, a distal end and a lumen that extends to the distal end;

a substantially radiopaque marker tip carried by the distal end of the catheter body such that a portion of the marker tip is aligned with the lumen; and

means, associated with the distal portion of the tubular catheter body, for preventing the stylet from engaging the substantially opaque marker tip.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tubular catheter body defines an exterior surface and includes at least one aperture that extends from the exterior surface to the lumen.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tubular catheter body defines a size and a shape that facilitates insertion into an intrathecal space.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the substantially radiopaque marker tip includes a connector that is located within the lumen.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the connector includes a plurality of indentations and portions of the tubular catheter body are located within the indentations.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plurality of indentations comprises a plurality of concentric grooves.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the distal portion of the catheter body includes at least one exterior groove and/or at least one exterior flow region.

33. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the distal end defines a distal-most surface of the tubular catheter body and the lumen extends through the distal-most surface.

34. An apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein a portion of the substantially radiopaque marker tip abuts the distal-most surface.

35. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein

the lumen defines a longitudinal axis;

and

the substantially radiopaque marker tip is located on the longitudinal axis.

36. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein

the abutment defines a distal end;

and

a portion of the lumen is distal of the distal end of the abutment.

37. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the abutment and the catheter are formed from different materials.

17. An apparatus for use with a stylet, comprising:

a tubular catheter body defining a distal portion, a distal end and a lumen that extends to the distal end;

a substantially radiopaque marker tip carried by the distal end of the catheter body such that a portion of the marker tip is aligned with the lumen; and

means, associated with the distal portion of the tubular catheter body, for transferring force associated with the stylet to the catheter body distal portion.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the tubular catheter body defines an exterior surface and includes at least one aperture that extends from the exterior surface to the lumen.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the tubular catheter body defines a size and a shape that facilitates insertion into an intrathecal space.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the substantially radiopaque marker tip includes a connector that is located within the lumen.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the connector includes a plurality of indentations and portions of the tubular catheter body are located within the indentations.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the plurality of indentations comprises a plurality of concentric grooves.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the distal portion of the catheter body includes at least one exterior groove and/or at least one exterior flow region.

24. -25. (canceled)