Bolus tip design for a multi-lumen catheter

• US 7,485,107 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2004
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BARD Access Systems Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: DeCant, Leonard J., Belusko, Vincent J., DiFiore, Attilio E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mendez; Manuel A
• Application Number:
  US10/886,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20040249338A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 604/27, 604/29, 604 43- 45, 604/164.01, 604264-266, 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 making of catheters A61M25/0009
• 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

A bolus tip for a multi-lumen catheter includes a first channel terminating distally in a first opening, and a second channel terminating distally in a second opening. The first opening may be positioned proximal the second opening along a longitudinal axis of the bolus tip and may be positioned on a side of the bolus tip opposite that of the second opening. The first and second openings may extend through an outer wall of the bolus tip to a dividing section. The bolus tip may also include a third channel sized for accommodating a guidewire.

Claims

1. A multi-lumen catheter, comprising:

a catheter body, comprising first and second lumens; and

a catheter tip, comprising a first channel terminating distally in a first opening, and a second channel terminating distally in a second opening, wherein said first and second openings are positioned on opposite sides of said catheter tip, each extending through an outer wall to a dividing section thereof such that each comprises an edge that meets said dividing section.

2. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein said catheter tip further comprises a third channel.

3. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 2, wherein said third channel is sized to accommodate a guidewire.

4. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein said first and second channels are D-shaped.

5. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 4, wherein said first and second channels have approximately the same cross-sectional area.

6. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein said first and second channels are trapezoidal shaped.

7. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 6, wherein said dividing section has a circular cross-sectional shape, extending partially into each of said first and second channels.

8. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein said first and second channels are sized and shaped similarly to said first and second lumens.

9. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein said first opening is positioned proximal said second opening along a longitudinal axis of said catheter tip.

10. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein said catheter tip is made of either silicone or polyurethane.

11. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein said first lumen and first channel are connected to form a contiguous tunnel for uninterrupted flow of fluids therethrough.

12. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 11, wherein said second lumen and second channel are connected to form a contiguous tunnel for uninterrupted flow of fluids therethrough.

13. A multi-lumen catheter, comprising:

a catheter body, comprising first and second lumens; and

a catheter tip connected to said catheter body at a connection point, having an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of said catheter body at said connection point, and comprising first and second channels that are respectively connected to said first and second lumens to form contiguous tunnels for uninterrupted flow of fluids therethrough,

wherein said first and second channels are separated over at least a portion of their length by a dividing section, said dividing section being connected to a nose section at a distal end of said catheter tip.

14. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 13, wherein said first channel terminates distally in a first opening, and said second channel terminates distally in a second opening, wherein said first and second openings are positioned on opposite sides of said catheter tip.

15. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 14, wherein said first opening extends through an outer wall of said catheter tip to said dividing section, having an edge that meets said dividing section, and wherein said second channel extends through said outer wall, having an edge that meets said nose section.

16. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 13, wherein said outer diameter of said catheter tip decreases from said connection point to a distal end thereof until it is approximately equal to said outer diameter of said catheter body.

17. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 16, wherein said outer diameter of said catheter tip is approximately equal to said outer diameter of said catheter body at a first opening in said catheter tip.

18. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 13, wherein said catheter tip is connected to said catheter body with an adhesive.

19. The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 13, wherein said nose section has a rounded distal end.

20. A bolus tip for a multi-lumen catheter, comprising:

a nose section having a rounded distal end;

a first channel terminating distally in a first opening that extends through an outer wall of the bolus tip to a dividing section, said first opening having an edge that meets said dividing section;

a second channel terminating distally in a second opening located in said nose section; and

a third channel extending through said dividing section and at least a portion of said nose section.