Infusion catheter assembly with reduced backflow
First Claim
1. A catheter assembly comprising:
- a flexible tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the body comprising an inner surface defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends;
a guide tube fixed to the inner surface of the body near the distal end of the body;
a tubular needle fixed to an inner surface of the guide tube so as to restrict any relative axial movement therebetween, wherein the needle comprises;
a proximal end forming a flange; and
a protruding portion that extends distally beyond a terminal distal end face of the guide tube, the protruding portion of the needle comprising;
an outer surface defined by a diameter that is less than a diameter of an outer surface of the guide tube; and
a sealed distal tip located a preset distance beyond the distal end face of the guide tube, the needle defining at least two side flow apertures formed along the outer surface of the needle proximate to, but offset from, the sealed distal tip, the side flow apertures in fluid communication with the lumen of the body.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Catheters assemblies having structural configurations operable to reduce backflow along the catheter assembly track, and methods of making and using such catheter assemblies. Catheters assemblies in accordance with embodiments of the present invention find use in various applications including the treatment of acute and chronic medical conditions. An exemplary catheter assembly includes, in one illustrative embodiment, a flexible proximal catheter body portion, and a distal portion of a smaller diameter than the body portion. The distal portion includes a sealed distal tip or end and one or more side flow openings to permit flow of therapeutic substance from the catheter along an axis that is different than, e.g., skewed relative to, a longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the catheter assembly.
71 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A catheter assembly comprising:
-
a flexible tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the body comprising an inner surface defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; a guide tube fixed to the inner surface of the body near the distal end of the body; a tubular needle fixed to an inner surface of the guide tube so as to restrict any relative axial movement therebetween, wherein the needle comprises;
a proximal end forming a flange; and
a protruding portion that extends distally beyond a terminal distal end face of the guide tube, the protruding portion of the needle comprising;an outer surface defined by a diameter that is less than a diameter of an outer surface of the guide tube; and a sealed distal tip located a preset distance beyond the distal end face of the guide tube, the needle defining at least two side flow apertures formed along the outer surface of the needle proximate to, but offset from, the sealed distal tip, the side flow apertures in fluid communication with the lumen of the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A catheter assembly comprising:
-
an elastomeric and shearable tubular catheter body comprising proximal and distal ends, the body comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; a guide tube fixed to the inner surface of the body, wherein the guide tube comprises a proximal end located intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the body, and a distal end comprising a flange that abuts a terminal distal end face of the body and defines an obstructive element normal to a longitudinal axis of the guide tube; and a tubular needle comprising an outer surface defined by a diameter that is less than a diameter of an outer surface of the guide tube, wherein the needle comprises a proximal end located intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the body, the needle fixed to the guide tube and protruding outwardly such that a sealed distal tip of the needle is located a preset distance beyond the flange, the needle defining one or more flow apertures proximate to, but offset from, the sealed distal tip, each flow aperture having an axis that is normal to a longitudinal axis of the needle and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the body, wherein the diameter of the outer surface of the needle, a diameter of the outer surface of the body, and the preset distance are selected to reduce backflow along the needle and body during convection enhanced delivery of a therapeutic agent to a target tissue region of a mammalian brain. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for delivery of a therapeutic substance to a target tissue region in a patient'"'"'s brain, the method comprising:
-
implanting into the target tissue region a distal end of a tubular needle of a catheter assembly, wherein the catheter assembly comprises; a flexible tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the body comprising an inner surface defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; a guide tube fixed to the inner surface of the body near the distal end of the body; and the tubular needle, wherein the tubular needle is fixed to an inner surface of the guide tube so as to restrict any relative axial movement therebetween, wherein the needle comprises a protruding portion that extends distally beyond a terminal distal end face of the guide tube, the protruding portion of the tubular needle comprising; an outer surface defined by a diameter that is less than a diameter of an outer surface of the guide tube; and a sealed distal tip located a preset distance beyond the distal end face of the guide tube, wherein the needle defines at least two side flow apertures formed along the outer surface of the needle proximate to, but offset from, the sealed distal tip, the side flow apertures in fluid communication with the lumen of the body; and infusing the therapeutic substance into the target tissue region through the lumen at a constant flow rate via convection enhanced delivery from the side flow apertures. - View Dependent Claims (11)
-
-
12. A catheter assembly comprising:
-
a flexible tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the body comprising an inner surface defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; a guide tube fixed to the inner surface of the body near the distal end of the body; wherein the guide tube comprises a proximal end located intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the body, and a distal end comprising a flange that abuts a terminal distal end face of the body and defines an obstructive element normal to a longitudinal axis of the guide tube; and a tubular needle, wherein the tubular needle is fixed to an inner surface of the guide tube so as to restrict any relative axial movement therebetween, wherein the needle comprises a protruding portion that extends distally beyond a terminal distal end face of the guide tube, the protruding portion of the tubular needle comprising; an outer surface defined by a diameter that is less than a diameter of an outer surface of the guide tube; and a sealed distal tip located a preset distance beyond the distal end of the guide tube, wherein the needle defines at least two side flow apertures proximate to, but offset from, the sealed distal tip, the side flow apertures in fluid communication with the lumen of the body.
-
Specification