Methods and apparatus for performing flow-through peritoneal dialysis

• US 6,585,681 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vasca Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vasca Inc.
• Inventors: Brugger, James, Finch, Charles, Kuiper, Hendrik, Burbank, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): KENNEDY, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US09/823,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20010014793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 604/27-30, 604/35, 604/93, 604/175, 604/257, 604/500, 604/502, 604/511, 604/514, 604/284
• US Class Current: 604/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/28 Peritoneal dialysis ; Other peritoneal treatment, e.g. oxygenation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/281 Instillation other than by gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/284 Continuous flow peritoneal dialysis [CFPD]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/285 Catheters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/00 Drainage appliance for wounds or the like , i.e. wound drains, implanted drains negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90; implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 ; middle ear drainage A61F11/202
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0247 Semi-permanent or permanent transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body peritoneal dialysis catheters A61M1/285; tracheostomy devices A61M16/0465; measuring pressure within the body A61B5/03; colostomy devices A61F5/445; gastrotomy feeding tubes A61J15/0015; means for fixing a feeding tube outside of the body A61J15/0053

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and kits are provided for performing peritoneal dialysis. In a first aspect, subcutaneous and transcutaneous systems are described for performing continuously cycling peritoneal dialysis. In a second aspect, fully implanted systems are described for performing flow-through peritoneal dialysis.

Claims

1. A peritoneal dialysis catheter comprising:

a bi-directional flow segment having a proximal end adapted to receive and discharge dialysate and a distal end;

an infusion arm connected to receive dialysate from the distal end of the bi-directional flow segment, wherein said infusion arm is adapted to infuse dialysate into the peritoneum along its length and inhibits backflow to the bi-directional flow segment; and

a drain arm connected to discharge dialysate to the distal end of the bi-directional flow segment, wherein said drain arm is adapted to receive dialysate from the peritoneum along its length and inhibits backflow from the bi-directional flow segment.

2. A peritoneal dialysis catheter as in claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the bi-directional flow segment is adapted for connection to an implantable port.

3. A peritoneal dialysis catheter as in claim 2, wherein the proximal end of the bi-directional flow segment is adapted for transcutaneous implantation.

4. A peritoneal dialysis catheter as in claim 3, further comprising at least one cuff circumscribing the bi-directional flow segment.

5. A peritoneal dialysis catheter as in claim 1, wherein the infusion arm comprises a valve structure which permits flow from the bi-directional flow segment to distal portions of the infusion arm and which inhibits backflow from said distal portions to said bi-directional flow segment.

6. A peritoneal dialysis catheter as in claim 1, wherein the drain arm comprises a valve structure which permits flow from distal portions of the drain arm to the bi-directional flow segment and which inhibits backflow from said bi-directional flow segment to said distal portions.

8. A peritoneal dialysis system comprising:

a peritoneal dialysis catheter as in claim 1; and

an implantable port adapted to be connected to the proximal end of the bi-directional flow segment.

9. A peritoneal dialysis system as in claim 8, wherein the implantable port comprises an internal valve which is opened and closed by percutaneous insertion of an access tube.

10. A peritoneal dialysis system as in claim 8, wherein the implantable port comprises a needle-penetrable membrane.

11. A peritoneal dialysis catheter as in claim 1, wherein the infusion arm and the drain arm have perforations distributed over their lengths to allow the flow of dialysate therethrough.

7. A peritoneal dialysis catheter 2, wherein the bi-directional flow segment the infusion arm, and the drain arm are formed as a continuous structure.

12. A peritoneal dialysis catheter constructed and arranged for coupling to an access device, said catheter comprising:

an infusion arm including an inlet valve permitting liquid flow away from the access device and not toward the access device, wherein said infusion arm infuses dialysate into the peritoneum along a perforated length at the infusion arm downstream from the inlet valve; and

a drain arm including an outlet valve permitting liquid flow toward the access device and not away from the access device wherein said drain arm receives dialysate from the peritoneum along a perforated length of the drain and upstream from the outlet valve.

13. A peritoneal dialysis catheter as in claim 12, wherein the infusion arm and the drain arm have perforations distributed over their entire lengths to allow the flow of dialysate therethrough.

14. A device for accessing a body cavity comprising:

a housing defining a flow passage;

an infusion arm connectable to the flow path and including an inlet valve permitting liquid flow toward the body cavity and not from the body cavity, wherein said infusion arm infuses dialysate into the peritoneum along a perforated length; and

a drain arm connectable to the flow path and including an outlet valve permitting liquid flow from the body cavity and not toward the body cavity wherein said drain arm receives dialysate from the peritoneum along a perforated length of the infusion and downstream from the inlet valve.

15. A device as in claim 14, wherein the infusion arm has perforations distributed over its entire length to allow the flow of dialysate therethrough.

16. A device for accessing a peritoneal cavity comprising:

a housing defining a flow passage leading to the peritoneal cavity;

an infusion arm communicating with the flow passage and including an inlet valve permitting liquid flow toward the peritoneal cavity and not from the peritoneal cavity, wherein said infusion arm infuses dialysate into the peritoneum along a perforated length of the infusion and downstream from the inlet valve;

a drain arm communicating with the flow passage and including an outlet valve permitting liquid flow from the peritoneal cavity and not toward the peritoneal cavity wherein said drain receives dialysate from the peritoneum along a perforated length of the drain arm upstream from the outlet valve.

17. A device as in claim 16, wherein the infusion arm has perforations distributed over its entire length to allow the flow of dialysate therethrough.