Multi-lumen catheter
First Claim
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1. A multi-lumen catheter comprising:
- (a) a tube, said tube being radially expandable from a first state with a first inner radius, to a radially expanded second state with a second larger inner radius;
(b) means for selectively expanding said tube from said first state to said radially expanded second state, said expanding means including an insertable divider having a radius greater than said first inner radius and substantially equal to said second inner radius, insertion of said divider thereby dividing said tube into a plurality of separate lumens.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-lumen catheter is formed by first introducing one end of an expandable tube into the blood vessel. A divider is then inserted into the distal end of the tube and extends the length of the tube, thereby dividing the tube into a plurality of the separate lumens. Insertion of the divider causes radial expansion of the tube which substantially seals the opening in the wall of the vessel. In one embodiment, the divider has a hollow triangular cross-section which creates four separate lumens. A series of raised protrusions extending outwardly from the sides of the divider prevent collapse of the tube against the divider.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A multi-lumen catheter comprising:
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(a) a tube, said tube being radially expandable from a first state with a first inner radius, to a radially expanded second state with a second larger inner radius; (b) means for selectively expanding said tube from said first state to said radially expanded second state, said expanding means including an insertable divider having a radius greater than said first inner radius and substantially equal to said second inner radius, insertion of said divider thereby dividing said tube into a plurality of separate lumens. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of inserting a multi-lumen catheter into a blood vessel, comprising:
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(a) inserting one end of an expandable tube through an opening in the wall of the blood vessel; and (b) inserting a divider from the distal end of the tube through the length of the tube, thereby dividing the tube into a plurality of separate lumens and causing the tube to radially expand and substantially seal the opening between the outside of the tube and the opening in the wall of the blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of inserting a multi-lumen catheter into a blood vessel, comprising:
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(a) inserting one end of an expandable tube through an opening in the wall of the blood vessel by means of a hollow needle into which one end of the tube is inserted, and which is subsequently used to puncture the wall of the blood vessel; and (b) inserting a divider from the distal end of the tube through the length of the tube, thereby dividing the tube into a plurality of separate lumens.
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14. A method of inserting a multi-lumen catheter into a blood vessel, comprising in the order of:
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(a) inserting one end of an expandable tube into a hollow needle; (b) inserting the needle through the wall of a blood vessel, so that the end of the tube inside the needle enters the blood vessel; (c) retracting the needle from the blood vessel and removing the needle from the tube, thereby leaving the end of the tube inside the blood vessel; (d) inserting a divider from the distal end of the tube through the length of the tube, thereby dividing the tube into a plurality of separate lumens. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification