MULTIPLE LUMEN DIFFUSION CATHETER

• US 20100174183A1
• Filed: 11/28/2007
• Published: 07/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Gelblum, Eugene A., Rhinehart, Edward J., Kalafut, John F., Uber, Arthur E. III, Trombley, Frederick W. III, Reilly, David M., Schwartz, Robert S., Van Tassel, Robert A., Hirschman, Alan D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,702,649 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/433
• 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 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked

Abstract

A method and device for the simultaneous or sequential introduction of multiple fluids into the bloodstream including a multiple lumen catheter with corresponding multiple hole sets. By introducing a second fluid such as saline, the concentration and bolus of a first fluid, such as a contrast agent, can be controlled and optimized.

Claims

1. A method of preventing retrograde flow comprising:

(a) introducing a first fluid into a lumen through which a native fluid is flowing; and

(b) introducing a second fluid upstream of the first fluid such that the first fluid is prevented from traveling upstream by the second fluid.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of introducing the second fluid upstream of the first fluid comprises introducing the second fluid at a velocity higher than that of the first fluid.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising accelerating the second fluid after introducing it into the lumen.

4. The method of claim 3 where the step of accelerating the second fluid after introducing it into the lumen comprises creating an annular structure within the lumen to form an annular orifice thereabout through which the second fluid must pass prior to encountering the first fluid.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein velocity of the second fluid is controlled by varying the cross-sectional area of said annular structure.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said annular structure can be shaped to cause boundary layer attachment of the second fluid thereto and thereby provide downstream momentum to the second fluid.

7. A method of opacifying a heart comprising:

(a) introducing a first bolus of contrast agent into the right side of the heart;

(b) introducing a second fluid upstream of the contrast agent such that the second fluid prevents the contrast agent from traveling in an upstream direction;

(c) waiting while the first fluid travels through the pulmonary system; and

(d) introducing a second bolus of contrast agent into the right side of the heart.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising introducing more of the second fluid upstream of the second bolus such that the second fluid prevents the second bolus from traveling in an upstream direction.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the steps of introducing the first bolus of contrast agent into the right side of the heart and introducing the second fluid upstream of the contrast agent such that the second fluid prevents the contrast agent from traveling in an upstream direction occur simultaneously.

10. A method of opacifying a portion of a circulation system of a patient comprising creating a plurality of layers of fluid in the bloodstream, at least two of the layers containing fluid other than blood.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the layers inhibits another of the layers from becoming diluted with blood.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the layers propels another of the layers.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein at least two of the layers containing fluid other than blood comprises introducing a second fluid upstream of a first fluid.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising at least partially occluding the bloodstream during the step of introducing the second fluid upstream of the first fluid.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising accelerating the second fluid into the first fluid.

16. A catheter for introducing more than one fluid into a fluid stream comprising:

(a) a catheter body defining at least a first lumen and a second lumen and having a distal tip;

(b) a first set of holes in said distal tip leading to the first lumen; and

(c) a second set of holes in said distal tip leading to the second lumen.

17. The catheter of claim 16 further comprising an annular structure on an outside surface of said distal tip.

18. The catheter of claim 17 wherein said annular structure comprises a balloon.

19. The catheter of claim 17 wherein said annular structure is located proximal of said first and said second sets of holes.

20. The catheter of claim 17 wherein said annular structure is located between said first and said second sets of holes.

21. The catheter of claim 17 wherein said annular structure comprises an occlusion device.

22. The catheter of claim 20 wherein said annular structure creates an annular orifice thereabout with a body vessel into which it is placed, the body vessel containing bodily fluid flowing downstream therein.

23. The catheter of claim 22 wherein said annular structure is shaped to cause boundary layer attachment thereto of a second fluid emanating from said second set of holes and thereby provide downstream momentum to the second fluid so as to prevent upstream flow of a first fluid emanating from said first set of holes.

24. The catheter of claim 23 wherein velocity of the second fluid emanating from said second set of holes is controlled by varying the cross-sectional area of said annular structure.

25. The catheter of claim 17 wherein said first and said second lumens each have a semi-circular cross-section.

26. The catheter of claim 17 wherein said first lumen and said second lumen are concentric.

27. The catheter of claim 16 further comprising a centering mechanism for enabling said distal tip thereof to be centered within a body vessel within which said catheter is used.

28. A catheter comprising:

(a) an elongate body defining a lumen;

(b) a baffle bifurcating said lumen into a first passage and a second passage;

(c) a first set of holes at a distal tip thereof leading to said first passage; and

(d) a second set of holes at said distal tip leading to said second passage.

29. The catheter of claim 28 wherein said baffle comprises at least one twist around a longitudinal axis of said catheter.

30. The catheter of claim 29 wherein said twist results in a radial overlap of said first and said second set of holes.

31. The catheter of claim 28 wherein said first set of holes is longitudinally separate from said second set of holes.

32. The catheter of claim 28 wherein said first set of holes longitudinally overlaps with said second set of holes.

33. The catheter of claim 28 further comprising a centering mechanism for enabling said distal tip thereof to be centered within a body vessel within which said catheter is used.