Catheters and methods

• US 4,753,640 A
• Filed: 10/06/1986
• Issued: 06/28/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Catheter Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Catheter Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Nordgren, Gregory N., Nichols, Colin J., Moorehead, Harvey R.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilkens, Frank
• Application Number:
  US06/915,474
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 604/247, 604/170, 604/43-45, 604/280-284, 604/168, 604/164, 128/658, 138/103, 138/111, 138/115, 138/118, 137/493, 137/847, 137/848
• US Class Current: 604/247
• 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 25/0032 characterized by at least one unconventionally shaped lumen, e.g. polygons, ellipsoids, wedges or shapes comprising concave and convex parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0075 Valve means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0102 Insertion or introduction using an inner stiffening member, e.g. stylet or push-rod

Abstract

Catheter tubes of elastomeric material having novel lumen shapes which prevent occlusion and accommodate continued liquid flow even when kinked. Also, catheter tube slit valves are disclosed, the walls of which are not chemically weakened. Symmetrical and asymmetrical versions of said slit valves are disclosed. Combinations of highly reliable slip valves and catheter tubes are disclosed. Independently operable multi-lumen catheter assemblies of synthetic material, such as silicone rubber are disclosed, wherein the distal end of each lumen is normally closed by a three-position slit valve formed in a catheter tube covering. Multi-lumen catheters, and related methods, are also disclosed wherein the lumens are internal at the proximal and distal ends of the catheter tube but comprise separate tubes in between whereby, following placement of the distal end of the catheter tube in the body cavity of a patient, the unified proximal end of the tube is manipulated, sometimes subcutaneously, with the ultimately exposed tubes being thereafter severed and each equipped with a hub at a convenient exposed body site for selective independent passage of influent and effluent liquid along each lumen.

Claims

1. A catheter tube comprising wall means defining at least one fluid flow accommodating lumen, the distal end of the lumen terminating in a normally closed transversely disposed slit valve located in the wall means, the wall means further comprising an exposed exterior surface, the lumen being transversely defined by an interior surface which comprises two spaced surface-interconnected corners each closely spaced from the exterior surface and a curvilinear surface disposed remote from the corners and at a greater distance from the exterior surface.

2. A catheter tube according to claim 1 wherein the corners are surface-connected by a single substantially linear surface disposed substantially away from the curvilinear surface whereby at least one corner is closer to the exterior surface than any other lumen surface.

3. A catheter tube according to claim 1 wherein the lumen comprises a plurality of linear surfaces extending in different directions away from each corner, two of said linear surfaces being joined by said curvilinear surface.

4. A catheter tube comprising at least one lumen normally closed by a slit valve at the distal end of the lumen, the cross-sectional configuration of the lumen being D-shaped with the back of the D-shape being transversely oriented toward the exterior of the catheter tube and the front of the D-shaped being oppositely transversely oriented.