Vas-cath Inc.

Michael R Leblanc

Geoffrey S Martin

A cylindrical elongate body having proximal and distal ends and enclosing two similar longitudinally extending lumens separated by a septum and a further lumen within the septum. A convergently tapered tip extending from the distal end of the body defines part of the further lumen that extends distally beyond the longitudinally extending lumens, while a connector at the proximal end of the body couples plural access tubes in fluid communication with respective individual of the lumens. Openings providing access to each of the longitudinally extending lumens are spaced from one another longitudinally along the body. The further lumen terminates at an opening at the distal end of the tip. The longitudinally extending lumens are blocked immediately distally of the openings.

Multiple lumen catheter

The invention provides a cylindrical elongate body extending from a proximal to a distal end, the body defining two similar longitudinally extending lumens separated by a septum and a further lumen defined within the septum, a tip extending from the distal end of the body defining a part of the further lumen, a connector at the proximal end, tubes coupled to the connector and in fluid communication through the connector one with each of the respective lumens, the body defining openings providing access one to each of the longitudinally extending lumens, the openings being spaced from one another longitudinally of the body and the further lumen extending longitudinally beyond the longitudinally extending lumens and through the tip, the further lumen terminating at an opening at the distal end of the tip and the tip being convergently tapered as it extends longitudinally from the body and the longitudinally extending lumens being blocked immediately adjacent and distally of the openings.

The invention provides a triple lumen catheter for use in treatment of humans by inserting the catheter into a blood vessel over a Seldinger guidewire, and using the catheter to extract blood at a selected location in the blood vessel and to return treated blood downstream of the location after treatment. The catheter includes an elongate body and a tip at the distal end of the body. The body has an outer wall and an integral internal septum combining with the outer wall to define a pair of similar C-shaped lumens extending longitudinally in the body. The outer wall of the body defines at least one intake aperture and at least one return aperture and the intake aperture is spaced longitudinally from the tip and from the return aperture with the return aperture being nearer the tip than is the intake lumen. The septum defines a third lumen smaller than the C-shaped lumens and proportioned to slidably receive the guidewire during insertion and to provide a path for the medicament after insertion. The third lumen terminates at the longitudinal extremity of the tip. A connector is attached to the proximal end of the body and a pair of tubes are attached to the connector to carry blood from the intake lumen and to return treated blood to the return lumen. A third smaller tube is attached to the connector and coupled to receive the guidewire during insertion and to provide access for intravenous medicament through the third lumen during use.

Triple lumen catheter

A multiple lumen catheter is described having a flexible elongate body extending about a longitudinal axis and having a distal end with a tapered tip, a proximal end, an outer wall and a septum extending between spaced points on the outer wall. The outer wall and the septum define extraction and return lumens extending from the proximal end to the tapered tip where the outer wall and the septum converge to close off the lumens. The outer wall also define respective extraction and return apertures for fluid communication between the lumens and the tube exterior. A portion of the septum defines a third lumen extending along the longitudinal axis of the body from the proximal end to the distal end and terminating at the tip in an aperture. This third lumen is useful to receive a Seldinger wire for insertion and can be used also for intravenous infusion of liquid medicaments. Methods of manufacture are also described.

A method of manufacturing a multiple lumen catheter with a tapered tip and an end aperture concentric with the main catheter body is described. The method includes providing a flexible elongate body extending about a longitudinal axis having a distal end, a proximal end, an outer wall, a septum extending between spaced points on the outer wall to define first and second lumens, and a third lumen defined about said axis in a central portion of the septum. A straight wire is inserted into the third lumen to project centrally from the distal end of the body and the distal end of the body is then inserted into a tapering mould having a centrally located aperture to receive the wire. The distal end of the body is softened in the mould such that the distal end deforms to a tapered shape with the outer wall of the body merging with the septum to close the first and second lumens. Openings are then formed in the outer wall communicating with the first and second lumens adjacent the distal end.

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Mississauga, Canada

Michael R Leblanc