Multiple lumen catheter for hemodialysis
DCFirst Claim
1. A catheter for access to the venous system of a patient, said catheter comprising a flexible catheter tube having at least a pair of separate lumens for respectively withdrawing blood from said vein and returning blood thereto, said catheter defining relatively straight end portions, plus a central portion which defines, in its natural, unstressed configuration, a U-shaped section which is substantially coplanar with a major portion of the catheter, plus a second, curved arc section connected to said U-shaped section, which second section bends in an arc which extends in the dimension perpendicular to said U-shaped section, whereby said catheter may be implanted with a distal portion thereof occupying one or more of the jugular, subclavian, brachiocephalic, or vena cava veins of a patient, said distal portion being of substantially the shape of said vein or veins, and a proximal portion of said catheter is adapted to occupy a surgically-created tunnel extending from said vein or veins through the skin of the patient, while said catheter occupies substantially its natural, unstressed shape.
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Abstract
A catheter for hemodialysis comprises a flexible catheter tube defining a plurality of separate lumens. The catheter defines an arc angle of generally U-shape in its natural, unstressed configuration. Thus, the catheter may be implanted with a distal catheter portion residing in a vein of the patient, the distal catheter portion being of substantially the shape of the vein in its natural, unstressed condition. Also, a proximal catheter portion resides in a surgically created tunnel extending from the vein and through the skin of the patient, this section of the catheter also being typically in its natural, unstressed condition. Thus blood may be removed from the vein through one lumen of the catheter, and blood may be returned to the vein through another lumen of the catheter, while the catheter is subject to long term indwelling in the body. Improved results are achieved because of the lack of mechanical stress in the shape of the catheter, which stress causes the catheter to press unduly against adjacent tissues.
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20 Claims
- 1. A catheter for access to the venous system of a patient, said catheter comprising a flexible catheter tube having at least a pair of separate lumens for respectively withdrawing blood from said vein and returning blood thereto, said catheter defining relatively straight end portions, plus a central portion which defines, in its natural, unstressed configuration, a U-shaped section which is substantially coplanar with a major portion of the catheter, plus a second, curved arc section connected to said U-shaped section, which second section bends in an arc which extends in the dimension perpendicular to said U-shaped section, whereby said catheter may be implanted with a distal portion thereof occupying one or more of the jugular, subclavian, brachiocephalic, or vena cava veins of a patient, said distal portion being of substantially the shape of said vein or veins, and a proximal portion of said catheter is adapted to occupy a surgically-created tunnel extending from said vein or veins through the skin of the patient, while said catheter occupies substantially its natural, unstressed shape.
Specification