Valved Hemodialysis Catheter

• US 20100081986A1
• Filed: 09/26/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mozarc Medical US LLC
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Matson, Scott, Braga, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 9,005,154 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/6.160
• 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 2025/0039 characterized by lumina being arranged coaxially
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0076 Unidirectional valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0078 for fluid inflow from the body into the catheter lumen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0029 characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the middle part of the catheter, e.g. slots, flaps, valves, cuffs, apertures, notches, grooves or rapid exchange ports catheter shaft surface irregularities A61M2025/006
• 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 25/0067 characterised by the distal end, e.g. tips A61M25/0054, A61M25/04 take precedence; balloon catheters A61M25/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0074 Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0075 Valve means

Abstract

A dialysis catheter includes an elongate catheter member having an outer wall member defining proximal and distal end regions and a longitudinal axis, and defining first and second longitudinal lumens. The outer member includes first and second ports in respective fluid communication with the first and second longitudinal lumens. The first opening and the first lumen define an inflow passage for removal of blood under vacuum for circulation within a hemodialysis machine. The second opening and the second longitudinal lumen define an outflow passage for return of the blood from the hemodialysis machine. A valve is disposed relative to the outer member proximal of the first port. The valve is adapted to move from a closed position to an open position in response to a predetermined vacuum pressure level realized within the first longitudinal lumen to permit flow of blood through the valve and into the first longitudinal lumen. The valve may be adapted to move to the open position in the event of an at least partial luminal occlusion within the first longitudinal lumen at locations distal of the valve.

Claims

1. A medical catheter assembly, which comprises:

an elongated catheter member defining a longitudinal axis and at least one lumen for passage of fluid, and having proximal and distal end regions; and

a valve disposed adjacent the distal end region of the catheter member, the valve adapted to move from a closed position to an open position in response to a predetermined vacuum pressure level within the at least one lumen to permit flow of the fluid through the valve and into the at least one lumen.

2. The catheter assembly according to claim 1 wherein the catheter member includes a fluid port in communication with the at least one lumen and distal of the valve, the valve being adapted to move to the open position in the event of an at least partial luminal occlusion within the at least one lumen at locations distal of the valve.

3. The catheter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the catheter member includes an outer catheter wall, the valve being a flap defined within the outer catheter wall.

4. The catheter assembly according to claim 3, wherein the outer catheter wall and the flap are monolithically formed.

5. The catheter assembly according to claim 4 wherein the flap is generally triangular in shape.

6. The catheter assembly according to claim 2, wherein the valve includes a deformable section adjacent the distal end region of the catheter member, the deformable section being configured to deform upon achieving the predetermined vacuum level in the at least one lumen of the catheter member.

7. The catheter assembly according to claim 2 wherein the valve includes a one-way pressure relief member adapted to move to the open position upon achieving the predetermined vacuum level in the at least one lumen of the catheter member.

8. The catheter assembly according to claim 2, wherein the catheter member includes an outer catheter wall, the outer wall having inner portions defining a slit therein whereby the inner portions are adapted for relative movement to move between the open position and the closed position.

9. The catheter assembly according to claim 8, wherein the inner portions of the catheter wall define a substantially linear slit.

10. The catheter assembly according to claim 8, wherein the inner portions of the catheter wall define a substantially sinusoidal slit.

11. The catheter assembly according to claim 2 wherein the catheter includes a second lumen and a second valve, the second valve adapted to move from a closed position to an open position in response to a predetermined vacuum pressure level within the second lumen to permit flow of the fluid through the second valve and the second lumen.

12. The catheter assembly according to claim 11 wherein the catheter member includes a second fluid port in communication with the second lumen and distal of the second valve.

13. The catheter assembly according to claim 2 wherein the valve is arranged to define an opening within the catheter wall when the valve is in the open position.

14. A dialysis catheter, which comprises:

an elongate catheter member including an outer wall member defining proximal and distal end regions and a longitudinal axis, and having first and second longitudinal lumens, the outer member including first and second ports in respective fluid communication with the first and second longitudinal lumens, the first port and the first lumen defining an inflow passage for removal of blood under vacuum for circulation within a hemodialysis machine, the second port and the second longitudinal lumen defining an outflow passage for return of the blood from the hemodialysis machine; and

a valve disposed relative to the outer wall member proximal of the first port, the valve adapted to move from a closed position to an open position in response to a predetermined vacuum pressure level realized within the first longitudinal lumen to permit flow of blood through the valve and into the first longitudinal lumen.

15. The catheter assembly according to claim 14 wherein the valve is adapted to move to the open position in the event of an at least partial luminal occlusion within the first longitudinal lumen at locations distal of the valve.

16. The catheter assembly according to claim 14 wherein the valve includes a flap defined in the outer wall member of the catheter member.

17. The catheter assembly according to claim 16 wherein the flap is adapted to move about a living hinge between the closed position and the open position.

18. The hemodialysis catheter assembly according to claim 14 including a second valve disposed relative to the outer wall member proximal of the second port, the second valve adapted to move from a closed position to an open position in response to a predetermined vacuum pressure level realized within the second longitudinal lumen to permit flow of the fluid through the second valve.