Dual lumen infusion/aspiration catheter

• US 5,554,136 A
• Filed: 02/27/1995
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Luther Medical Products, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Luther, Ronald B.
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRING, NOELLE K
• Application Number:
  US08/395,493
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 604/31, 604/52, 604/53, 604/101, 604/170, 604/96, 604/264, 604/280, 604/247, 604/118, 604/246, 604/256, 604/266
• US Class Current: 604/264
• 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 25/0068 Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• 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 catheter having an elongate body has a first lumen extending therethrough. A concave wall is formed in the body proximate the distal end thereof such that the concave wall is a wall of the first lumen. A first slit is formed in the concave wall. The first slit opens in response to decreased fluid pressure within the lumen so as to facilitate aspiration via the first lumen. Optionally, a first convex wall is formed in the body such that the first convex wall is a wall of the first lumen. A second slit is formed in the first convex wall. The second slit opens in response to increased fluid pressure within the first lumen so as to facilitate infusion via the first lumen. Optionally, a second lumen extends through a substantial portion of the body. A second convex wall is formed in the body proximate the distal end thereof such that the second convex wall is a wall of the second lumen. A third slit is formed in the second convex wall. The third slit opens in response to increased fluid pressure within the second lumen so as to facilitate infusion via the second lumen. The first lumen is comprised substantially of a comparatively more rigid material to prevent collapse thereof during aspiration and the second lumen is comprised of a comparatively less rigid material so as to maintain a desired overall flexibility of the catheter.

Claims

1. A catheter comprising:

a) an elongate body having proximal and distal ends;

b) a first lumen extending through a substantial portion of said body;

c) a concave wall formed said body proximate the distal end thereof;

said concave wall being a wall of said first lumen;

d) a first slit formed in said concave wall;

e) a first convex wall formed in said body proximate the distal end thereof, said first convex wall also being a wall of said first lumen, said first convex wall being comprised of a more rigid material than said concave wall; and

f) wherein said first slit opens in response to decreased fluid pressure within said first lumen so as to facilitate aspiration via said first lumen and wherein said more rigid first convex wall mitigates the occurrence of catheter collapse during aspiration and said less rigid concave wall contributes to the overall flexibility of the body.

2. The catheter as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a) a second slit formed in said first convex wall; and

b) wherein said second slit opens and said first slit closes in response to increased fluid pressure with said first lumen so as to facilitate infusion via said first lumen.

3. The catheter as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a) a second lumen extending through a substantial portion of said body;

b) a second convex wall formed in said body proximate the distal end thereof, said second convex wall being a wall of said second lumen and being formed of a less rigid material than said first convex wall;

c) a third slit formed in said second convex wall; and

d) wherein said third slit opens in response to increased fluid pressure within said second lumen so as to facilitate infusion via said second lumen.

4. The catheter as recited in claim 3 wherein said first slit is formed distal of said third slit.

5. The catheter as recited in claim 3 wherein said concave wall, said first convex wall, and said second convex wall are formed proximate the distal end of said body.

6. The catheter as recited in claim 1 wherein said first convex wall is formed of a material having a durometer of between approximately 80A and 99A and said concave wall is formed of a material having a durometer of between approximately 65A and 85A.

7. The catheter as recited in claim 1 wherein said first convex wall is formed of a material having a durometer of approximately 93A and said concave wall is formed of a material having a durometer of approximately 70A.

8. The catheter as recited in claim 1 wherein said first convex wall and said concave wall are formed via co-extrusion.

9. A catheter comprising:

a) an elongate body having proximal and distal ends;

b) a first lumen extending through a substantial portion of said body;

c) a non-convex wall formed in said body proximate the distal end thereof, said non-convex wall being a wall of said first lumen;

d) a first slit formed in said non-convex wall;

e) a first convex wall formed in said body proximate the distal end thereof, said first convex wall being a wall of said first lumen and being comprised of a more rigid material than said non-convex wall;

f) a second slit formed in said first convex wall; and

g) wherein said first and second slits are configured such that said first slit opens and said second slit closes in response to decreased fluid pressure within said first lumen so as to facilitate aspiration via said first lumen and wherein said second slit opens and said first slit closes in response to increased fluid pressure with said first lumen so as to facilitate infusion via said first lumen.

10. The catheter as recited in claim 9 further comprising:

a) a second lumen extending through a substantial portion of said body;

b) a second convex wall formed in said body proximate the distal end thereof, said second convex wall being a wall of said second lumen and being comprised of a less rigid material than said first convex wall;

c) a third slit formed in said second convex wall; and

d) wherein said third slit opens in response to increased fluid pressure within said second lumen so as to facilitate infusion via said second lumen.

11. The catheter as recited in claim 10 wherein said non-convex wall, said first convex wall, and said second convex wall are formed proximate the distal end of said body.

12. The catheter as recited in claim 9 wherein said non-convex wall comprises a planar wall.

13. The catheter as recited in claim 9 wherein said non-convex wall comprises a concave wall.

14. The catheter as recited in claim 9 wherein said first convex wall is formed of a material having a durometer of between approximately 80A and 99A and said non-convex wall is formed of a material having a durometer of between approximately 65A and 85A.

15. The catheter as recited in claim 9 wherein said first convex wall is formed of a material having a durometer of approximately 93A and said non-convex wall is formed of a material having a durometer of approximately 70A.

16. The catheter as recited in claim 9 wherein said non-convex wall and said first convex wall are formed via co-extrusion.