초록 ▼

Catheter tubes of elastomeric material having novel lumen shapes which prevent occlusion and accommodate continued liquid flow even when kinked. Also, catheter tube slit valves are disclosed, the walls of which are not chemically weakened. Symmetrical and asymmetrical versions of said slit valves ar

Catheter tubes of elastomeric material having novel lumen shapes which prevent occlusion and accommodate continued liquid flow even when kinked. Also, catheter tube slit valves are disclosed, the walls of which are not chemically weakened. Symmetrical and asymmetrical versions of said slit valves are disclosed. Combinations of highly reliable slit valves and catheter tubes are disclosed. Independently operable multi-lumen catheter assemblies of synthetic material, such as silicone rubber are disclosed, wherein the distal end of each lumen is normally closed by a three-position slit valve formed in a catheter tube covering. Multi-lumen catheters, and related methods, are also disclosed wherein the lumens are internal at the proximal and distal ends of the catheter tube but comprise separate tubes in between whereby, following placement of the distal end of the catheter tube in the body cavity of a patient, the unified proximal end of the tube is manipulated, sometimes subcutaneously, with the ultimately exposed tubes being thereafter severed and each equipped with a hub at a convenient exposed body site for selective independent passage of influent and effluent liquid along each lumen.

대표청구항 ▼

An indwelling multi-lumen catheter comprising: a catheter tube made of biocompatible material, the catheter tube comprising a distal end portion having a single smooth exterior surface and ending in a closed distal tip, a proximal end portion, and wall means defining a plurality of independently usa

An indwelling multi-lumen catheter comprising: a catheter tube made of biocompatible material, the catheter tube comprising a distal end portion having a single smooth exterior surface and ending in a closed distal tip, a proximal end portion, and wall means defining a plurality of independently usable lumens extending substantially the entire length of the catheter tube; a normally sealed, selectively operable, laterally disposed, three-position slit valve communicating between the distal end of one of the lumens and the exterior surface of the distal end portion, the slit valve affording selective influent and effluent flow control into and out of the lumen associated therewith; the slit valve comprising a slit extending through the wall, the slit being essentially parallel to and offset from the axis of the catheter tube and being defined by opposed, aligned, normally sealed, parallel first and second edges of respective oppositely disposed first and second slit valve wall segments of the wall between the associated lumen and the exterior surface of the distal end portion, the first slit valve wall segment being pivotably displaceable inwardly and outwardly responsive to predetermined liquid pressure differentials between the pressure in the associated lumen and the pressure exterior to the catheter tube, thereby to pivot the first edge into a spaced-apart spatial relationship from the second edge, whereby the first edge is capable of selectively opening either outwardly from the normally sealed position to infuse fluid from the one of the lumens into the space exterior to the distal end portion, or inwardly from the normally sealed position to withdraw fluid from the space exterior to the distal end portion into the one of the lumens, the first slit valve wall segment being eccentrically disposed in the slit valve with the slit being asymmetrically disposed between the two slit valve wall segments in offset relation to the center of the slit valve.