Abstract: The invention provides a dual lumen catheter comprising outer and inner tube materials. A main portion extends axially and has a selected first cross-section. The main portion includes main portions of the respective outer and inner tube materials which together define an annular intake lumen and a main portion of a return lumen contained inside the intake lumen. A tubular transition portion is made up integrally of both the outer and inner tube materials and has a second cross-section smaller than the first cross-section. The transition portion extends axially from the distal end of the main portion and this can be extended to include a tip portion made up only of outer tube material and which extends axially from the transition portion. The transition portion on its own, or with the tip portion, defines a tip section which is a continuation of said main part of the return lumen to complete the return lumen.

Abstract: The invention provides a dual lumen vascular access catheter having a compact connection structure free of flexible tubing and including valves providing a visual indication of the status of the valves and hence of the catheter. The catheter includes a flexible main body defining first and second lumens and extending longitudinally between proximal and distal ends, and a relatively rigid compact connection structure is coupled directly to the main body at the proximal end of the main body. The connection structure includes a housing defining the first and second channels which extend from the first and second lumens in communication with these lumens for providing flow between the lumens and external equipment. First and second valves in the housing are positioned in the respective first and second channels in fixed relationship one with the other.

Abstract: In one of its aspects, the invention provides a catheter of a selected length, and having a main body of a first cross-section and a tip section of smaller cross-section, the tip section being formed integrally with the main body from a catheter blank having a length less than the selected length. Also, in another of its aspects, the invention provides a method of making a catheter tip on a main body of thermoplastic synthethic plastics material and having a first cross-section. A progressive forming technique is used to reduce the cross-section of the body to create a tip section of smaller cross-section.

Abstract: The invention provides a catheter assembly having an elongate main body extending longitudinally between proximal and distal ends. A tip structure is attached to the distal end of the main body and also extends longitudinally. The main body and tip structure combine to define side-by-side intake and return lumens and the intake lumen terminates at a transverse intake opening at the distal end of the main body. The return lumen terminates at the distal end of the tip structure at a transverse return opening and a side opening is provided adjacent the return opening. A tubular applicator passes through the intake lumen, through the side opening and into the return lumen. This permits the assembly to be passed over a guide wire by engaging the wire inside the tubular applicator.

Abstract: A catheter is provided having a main body defining two lumens and a connection structure at a proximal end of the main body. This structure includes a housing attached directly to the main body and defining a pair of passages connecting one to each of the lumens, and a pair of rotary valves operable to open and close the passages. The rotary valves are operable manually about individual axes by operators attached to the valves to turn the valves. The operators may be ganged for movement together to move both valves simultaneously between open and closed positions.

Abstract: The invention provides a catheter having a main body extending longitudinally between proximal and distal ends and including a tip structure at the distal end, a transition portion extending from the tip structure, and a shaft extending from the transition portion to the proximal end. The main body defines first, second and third lumens, the first and second lumens extending from the proximal end to the transition portion, and the third lumen extending from the proximal to the distal end. The side lumens are separated from the central lumen by parallel walls. In a preferred embodiment for use in dialysis, the side lumens are coupled to one another at the proximal end so that both side lumens receive intake blood and the treated blood is returned through the central lumen. Because the first and second lumens have intakes at different locations about the periphery of the main body, there is less likelihood that these lumens will be occluded by engagement with the wall of a blood vessel.

Abstract: A device is provided for feeding a guide wire into a hollow needle inserted into a patient's blood vessel to facilitate use of the wire for sliding a catheter over the wire into the blood vessel. The device includes an elongate coiled tube adapted to retain the wire with the wire in sliding engagement with the tube, and a discharge head coupled to one end of the tube. The head includes a guide opening adjacent the end of the tube, a platform having a surface adjacent the guide opening, and an outlet tip having a discharge opening. The platform is between the guide opening and the discharge opening the guide opening and discharge openings are proportioned to guide the wire in sliding contact with the wire and positioned to guide the wire over said surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a co-axial dual lumen catheter having a main section, a tip section, and a U-shaped proximal portion extending from the main section, and ending at a junction where intake and outlet tubes are connected to the proximal portion. An inner tube extends from the junction to the tip of the catheter to define a return lumen, and combines with outer tubes in the main section and the proximal portion to define an intake lumen. The inner tube is thin walled relative to the wall thickness of a first outer tube used in the main section, and a second outer tube used in the proximal portion has a greater cross-sectional area than the first outer tube. A proximal end structure is also described in which the intake and outlet tubes extend generally parallel with the main body and to one side of the main body.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter is provided having a main body defining a first lumen for receiving a guide wire and a second lumen terminating at an opening inside the balloon for inflating and deflating the balloon. A tubular section extends from the main body through the balloon and terminates at a catheter to form an extension of the first lumen, and the tubular section includes a tip portion extending from within the balloon to the catheter tip. The tip portion is sufficiently flexible and elastic to permit the inflated balloon to follow the shape and contours of blood vessels in which the catheter is inserted for use.

Abstract: The invention provides a dual lumen vascular access catheter having a main body defining first and second lumens and a connection structure which includes coupling means attaching the structure to the main body. First and second channels extend from the respective first and second lumens for attaching the catheter to equipment, and first and second rotary valves are positioned in the respective first and second channels. The valves include operators rotatable in generally the same plane to operate the valves and to provide a ready visual indication of the positions of the valves.

Abstract: An infusion catheter is provided having a main body including a continuous generally round cross-section about a longitudinal axis. The body has proximal and distal ends. A tip section has a round cross-section and is smaller in cross-section than the main body and ends in a tip. The tip section is attached to the distal end of the main body at a transition portion which tapers smoothly from the main body to the tip section. The main body and tip section define a primary lumen extending from the proximal end of the body to the tip and the lumen is continuous. This lumen has a longitudinal axis offset from that of the main body and the main body further includes a pair of side-by-side secondary lumens terminating at respective side openings in the main body. A first of these openings is adjacent the transition portion and the second is spaced from the transition portion. Plug material is provided in the main body between said second opening and the transition portion.