Bolus tip design for a multi-lumen catheter

• US 6,786,884 B1
• Filed: 10/29/1999
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BARD Access Systems Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: BARD Access Systems Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Belusko, Vincent J., DiFiore, Attilio E., DeCant, Leonard J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US09/429,857
• Time in Patent Office: 1,775 Days
• Field of Search: 604/27, 604/29, 604/43-45, 604/164.01, 604/264-266, 604/523, 604/533, 604/537, 604/538, 604/284, 604/6.16
• US Class Current: 604/43
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/16 with membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3653 Interfaces between patient blood circulation and extra-corporal blood circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3659 Cannulae pertaining to extracorporeal circulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3661 for haemodialysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0031 characterized by lumina for withdrawing or delivering, i.e. used for extracorporeal circuit treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0034 characterized by elements which are assembled, connected or fused, e.g. splittable tubes, outer sheaths creating lumina or separate cores
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0037 characterized by lumina being arranged side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0081 Soft tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0023 by the form of the lumen, e.g. cross-section, variable diameter
• 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 25/0069 Tip not integral with tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/008 Strength or flexibility characteristics of the catheter tip

Abstract

An improved bolus tip design for use in a multi-lumen catheter for the simultaneous injection and withdrawal of fluids to and from a patient. The improved bolus tip has a rounded elongate body consisting of an interfacing section and a nose section. A first channel opens to a first bolus cavity, which is formed into the bolus tip, and a second channel either extends through the nose section of the bolus tip, forming an outlet therefrom, or terminates at a second bolus cavity similar to the first bolus cavity. In the latter configuration, the second bolus cavity is located longitudinally between the fist bolus cavity and a tip of the nose section on a side directly opposite the first bolus cavity. The second bolus cavity is in fluid communication with the second channel.

Claims

1. A multi-lumen catheter apparatus for use in the simultaneous injection of fluids to, and aspiration of fluids from, a targeted area of a patient, comprising a catheter body and a bolus tip, wherein said catheter body comprises an outer wall and a septum that together form a first and second lumen, and wherein said bolus tip is separate from and connected to a distal end of said catheter body, said bolus tip comprising:

an elongate body, having a substantially cylindrical shape defined by an outer wall;

an interfacing section at a proximal end of said elongate body, comprising a dividing section that divides said elongate body into a first channel and a second channel, wherein said first lumen is in fluid communication with said first channel and said second lumen is in fluid communication with said second channel;

a nose section at a distal end of said elongate body, comprising a tip having a semispheroidal shape;

a first cavity formed in a first side of said elongate body in fluid communication with said first channel; and

a second cavity formed in a second side of said elongate body in fluid communication with said second channel;

wherein a mid-portion of said first and second cavities extends through the entirety of said elongate body outer wall to said dividing section on respective said first and second sides of said elongate body.

2. The multi-lumen catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal length of said second channel is greater than the longitudinal length of said first channel.

3. The multi-lumen catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second cavity is longitudinally located between said first cavity and said tip of said nose section.

4. The multi-lumen catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein said septum defines a third lumen and said dividing section defines a third channel, wherein said third lumen is in fluid communication with said third channel, and wherein said third channel extends through said tip of said nose section.

5. The multi-lumen catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross-section of said first channel and said second channel is D-shaped.

6. The multi-lumen catheter apparatus of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of said first channel and said second channel is trapezoidal-shaped.

7. A bolus tip configured for connection to a distal end of a catheter body, being initially separate therefrom, comprising:

an elongate body, having a substantially cylindrical shape defined by an outer wall;

an interfacing section at a proximal end of said elongate body, comprising a first channel, a dividing section, and a second channel, wherein said dividing section separates said first channel from said second channel;

a nose section at a distal end of said elongate body, comprising a tip having a semispheroidal shape;

a first cavity formed in a first side of said elongate body in fluid communication with said first channel; and

a second cavity formed in a second side of said elongate body in fluid communication with said second channel;

wherein a mid-portion of said first and second cavities extends through the entirety of said outer wall to said dividing section on respective said first and second sides of said elongate body.

8. The bolus tip of claim 7, wherein the longitudinal length of said second channel is greater than the longitudinal length of said first channel.

9. The bolus tip of claim 7, wherein said second cavity is longitudinally located between said first cavity and said tip of said nose section.

10. The bolus tip of claim 7, wherein said dividing section defines a third channel that extends through said tip of said nose section.

11. The bolus tip of claim 7, wherein the cross-section of said first channel and said second channel is D-shaped.

12. The bolus tip of claim 7, wherein a cross-section of said first channel and said second channel is trapezoidal-shaped.

13. A dual-lumen catheter, comprising a catheter body having separate first and second lumens, and a catheter tip comprising a first opening in fluid communication with said first lumen and a second opening in fluid communication with said second lumen, said first opening being formed in a first side of said catheter tip and comprising a portion extending through the entirety of an outer wall on said first side of said catheter tip to a dividing section, said second opening being formed in a second side of said catheter tip and being positioned distal of said first opening.

14. The dual-lumen catheter according to claim 13, wherein said second opening is formed in a nose section of said catheter tip.

15. The dual-lumen catheter according to claim 13, wherein said dividing section comprises a channel.