Catheter

• US 8,679,091 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2012
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kpr U.S., LLC (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Morris, Robert A., Karl, Cliff, Green, Kurt, Sacchetti, Tony, Dubeau, Chris, Murray, Stephen, Walls, James A
• Primary Examiner(s): HAND, MELANIE JO
• Application Number:
  US13/369,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20120143128A1
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 604/96.01, 604/102.2, 60410302-10308, 604/13.7, 604540-544, 156/155, 156/242, 156/245, 156/247, 606/194
• US Class Current: 604/540
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0008 having visible markings on its surface, i.e. visible to the naked eye, for any purpose, e.g. insertion depth markers, rotational markers or identification of type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1077 Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0496 Urine
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0015 Making lateral openings in a catheter tube, e.g. holes, slits, ports, piercings of guidewire ports; Methods for processing the holes, e.g. smoothing the edges
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0017 specially adapted for long-term hygiene care, e.g. urethral or indwelling catheters to prevent infections
• 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 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/008 Strength or flexibility characteristics of the catheter tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14598 Coating tubular articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/2614 for manufacturing bent tubular articles using an undercut forming mould core
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2083/00 Use of polymers having silicon, with or without sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon only, in the main chain, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7542 Catheters

Abstract

A catheter is provided that includes an elongated body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The body defines at least one lumen. A tip has a proximal end that is disposed in abutting relation with the distal end of the body such that the body is fixed with the tip. The tip defines a lateral opening that is defined by a wall including an external radius disposed in transition with an outer surface of the tip and an internal radius disposed in transition with an inner surface of the tip. The external radius has a non-perpendicular profile with the outer surface of the tip.

Claims

1. A catheter comprising:

an elongated body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the body defining at least one lumen; and

a tip positioned at the distal end of the elongated body, the tip defining a lateral opening that is defined by a wall including an external radius disposed in radiused transition with an outer surface of the tip and an internal radius disposed in radiused transition with an inner surface of the tip; and

wherein the external radius and the internal radius extend about substantially an entire periphery of the lateral opening.

2. A catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein the lateral opening is formed by a molding process.

3. A catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein the tip defines a central lumen in fluid communication with the at least one lumen.

4. A catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein the tip and the body are fabricated from a material including silicone.

5. A catheter as recited in claim 1, further including an expandable member disposed about the body and the tip.

6. A catheter as recited in claim 5, wherein the body defines a first lumen and a second lumen configured for fluid flow to inflate the expandable member.

7. A catheter as recited in claim 5, wherein an expansion device is disposed within the body adjacent to the expandable member.

8. A catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein the external radius is between about 0.005 inch and about 0.080 inch.

9. A catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein the internal radius is between about 0.005 inch and about 0.080 inch.

10. A catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein the internal radius and the external radius are between about 0.005 inch and about 0.080 inch.

11. A catheter as recited in claim 1, wherein the internal radius and the external radius define a constant radius which provides a smooth uninterrupted transition between a wall defining the lateral opening and the inner and outer surfaces of the tip.

12. A catheter as recited in claim 11, wherein the internal radius and the external radius are between about 0.005 inch and 0.080 inch.

13. A catheter comprising:

an elongated body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining at least one lumen; and

a tip fixed to the distal end, the tip defining a lateral opening that is defined by a wall including an external radius disposed in radiused transition with an outer surface of the tip and an internal radius disposed in radiused transition with an inner surface of the tip;

wherein the wall extends about substantially an entire periphery of the lateral opening.