Splittable multiple catheter assembly and methods of inserting the same
First Claim
1. A multiple catheter assembly, comprising:
- (a) a first catheter having a proximal tip, a distal end region terminating in a distal tip, and an outer surface defining at least a first lumen extending longitudinally therethrough between a distal and a proximal opening;
(b) a second catheter having a proximal tip, a distal end region terminating in a distal tip, and an outer surface defining at least a second lumen extending longitudinally therethrough between a distal and a proximal opening, wherein the first lumen and the second lumen are independent from each other for facilitating simultaneous flow in opposite directions; and
(c) a splittable membrane joining the outer surfaces of both the first and second catheters for allowing the first and second catheters to be at least partially longitudinally split from each other.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple lumen catheter assembly and methods for inserting the same are provided. The assembly includes a splittable membrane joining a first catheter and a second catheter for allowing the catheters to be at least partially longitudinally split from each other. Each catheter has at least one lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter. One method for inserting the assembly includes making an incision near the area to be catheterized, at least partially splitting the distal end regions of the catheters from each other by splitting apart the splittable membrane, and inserting the distal end regions of the catheters in a juxtaposed relation through the incision and into the area to be catheterized. In another method, the catheters are first tunnelled subcutaneously by pulling the distal end regions of the catheters in the assembly through a tunnel and outwardly from the tunnel near the area to be catheterized, leaving proximal end regions at least partially within the tunnel. An incision is made near the area to be catheterized, the distal end regions of the catheters are at least partially split from each other by splitting the splittable membrane, and the distal end regions of the catheters are inserted in a juxtaposed relation through the incision and into the area to be catheterized.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A multiple catheter assembly, comprising:
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(a) a first catheter having a proximal tip, a distal end region terminating in a distal tip, and an outer surface defining at least a first lumen extending longitudinally therethrough between a distal and a proximal opening; (b) a second catheter having a proximal tip, a distal end region terminating in a distal tip, and an outer surface defining at least a second lumen extending longitudinally therethrough between a distal and a proximal opening, wherein the first lumen and the second lumen are independent from each other for facilitating simultaneous flow in opposite directions; and (c) a splittable membrane joining the outer surfaces of both the first and second catheters for allowing the first and second catheters to be at least partially longitudinally split from each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for inserting a multiple catheter assembly into an area of a body to be catheterized, the multiple catheter assembly comprising (i) a first catheter having a proximal end region terminating in a proximal tip, a distal end region terminating in a distal tip, and an outer surface defining at least a first longitudinally extending lumen, (ii) a second catheter having a proximal end region terminating in a proximal tip, a distal end region terminating in a distal tip, and an outer surface defining at least a second longitudinally extending lumen, wherein the first lumen and the second lumen are independent from each other for facilitating simultaneous flow in opposite directions, and (iii) a splittable membrane joining the outer surfaces of both the first and second catheters, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) making an incision near the area to be catheterized; (b) at least partially splitting the distal end regions of the first catheter and the second catheter from each other by splitting the splittable membrane; and (c) inserting the distal end regions of the first and second catheters in juxtaposed relation through the incision and into the area to be catheterized. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for inserting a multiple catheter assembly into an area of a body to be catheterized, the multiple catheter assembly comprising (i) a first catheter having a proximal end region terminating in a proximal tip, a distal end region terminating in a distal tip, and an outer surface defining at least a first longitudinally extending lumen, (ii) a second catheter having a proximal end region terminating in a proximal tip, a distal end region terminating in a distal tip, and an outer surface defining at least a second longitudinally extending lumen, wherein the first lumen and the second lumen are independent from each other for facilitating flow in opposite directions, and (iii) a splittable membrane joining the outer surfaces of both the first and second catheters, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) subcutaneously moving the first and second catheters through a tunnel formed in the body by pulling the distal end regions through the tunnel and outwardly therefrom near the area to be catheterized, leaving the proximal end regions at least partially within the tunnel; (b) making an incision near the area to be catheterized; (c) at least partially splitting the distal end regions of the first and the second catheters from each other by splitting the splittable membrane; and (d) inserting the distal end regions of the first and second catheters in juxtaposed relation through the incision and into the area to be catheterized. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification