Abstract: A blood vessel catheter includes a dual lumen catheter tube and a bolus insert attached to the distal end of the tube. First and second ports are formed between the nose section of the bolus and distal end openings of first and second lumens in the tube. The catheter is fabricated by insert molding a thermoplastic bolus onto the distal end of a thermoplastic tube.

Abstract: A catheter includes a catheter tube, internal and external retention bolsters and a retractable catheter tip. The retractable tip is in the form of a bolus which is extended to axial alignment with the tube for insertion. After insertion with a stylet or the like, removal of the stylet permits the tip to retract automatically and assume a position perpendicular to the axis with minimal protrusion into the corporeal space involved.

Abstract: An enteral feeding catheter (5) that provides access to both the stomach and the jejunum for feeding, aspiration and decompression. The catheter includes a dual lumen “D” tube (30) that joins to an external “Y” connector (25) at the proximal end of the tube. The connector serves both lumens as a source for fluid or aspiration. The gastric lumen (37) and the jejunal lumen (38) of the “D” tube both connect to a transitional connector bolus in the stomach. The gastric lumen of the “D” tube joins with a lumen in the transitional bolus that communicates with a gastric port (27). The gastric port is recessed to the level of its full internal lumen, thereby providing maximum protection against occlusion and maximum area for outflow. The “D” jejunal lumen connects in the bolus with a lumen that transitions from a “D” shape to a full circle shape. The latter provides for the attachment of a smaller, round, single lumen tube that extends into the jejunum.

Abstract: A catheter comprising a dual lumen tube with a bolus at its distal end having a bullet nose. A venous port is formed in one side of the bolus adjacent the bullet nose of the bolus. An arterial port is formed in the bolus circumferentially displaced 180° around the catheter from the venous port. The bolus contains a venous passage which transitions from a smaller two-thirds moon shaped cross-section to a larger circular cross-section. The arterial passage has a crescent-moon shaped cross-section. The bullet nose is not as thick as the tube and is inclined on an angle to the axis of the tube so that a portion of its outer periphery is substantially tangent to a hypothetical cylinder containing the trailing edge of the venous port.

Abstract: An enteral feeding catheter that provides access to both the stomach and the jejunum for feeding, aspiration and decompression. The catheter includes a dual lumen “D” tube that joins to an external “Y” connector at the proximal end of the tube. The connector serves both lumens as a source for fluid or aspiration. The gastric lumen and the jejunal lumen of the “D” tube both connect to a transitional connector bolus in the stomach. The gastric lumen of the “D” tube joins with a lumen in the transitional bolus that communicates with a gastric port. The gastric port is recessed to the level of its full internal lumen, thereby providing maximum protection against occlusion and maximum area for outflow. The “D” jejunal lumen connects in the bolus with a lumen that transitions from a “D” shape to a full circle shape. The latter provides for the attachment of a smaller, round, single lumen tube that extends into the jejunum.

Abstract: A blood vessel catheter including a catheter tube and a bolus having a bullet nose. The bolus includes a passage section with a side opening port. A nose section with a bullet nose has a smaller cross-section than the rest of the bolus and is offset from the axis of the passage section in the radial direction of the port. The bullet nose is rounded and unperforated.

Abstract: A catheter including a catheter tube and a bolus tip, the bolus having a radially extending main side port. In one embodiment the catheter also has second and third side ports axially spaced from said main side port. The second and third side ports are each axially elongated, with an edge which is semi-circular in cross-section. The second side port is displaced 180° from the main side port. The third side port is axially aligned with the main port. The catheter is thickened in a dimple opposite each of the second and third side ports. Another catheter embodiment specifically for hemodialysis includes a dual lumen tube with a bolus at its distal end. A main venous port is formed in one side of the bolus adjacent the bullet nose of the bolus. Variations of this embodiment utilize a bolus with a 13.5 French tube connector section and a 10 French nose section, with the venous port formed in the nose section.

Abstract: An enteral feeding catheter that provides access to both the stomach and the jejunum for feeding, aspiration and decompression. The catheter includes a dual lumen “D” tube that joins to an external “Y” connector at the proximal end of the tube. The connector serves both lumens as a source for fluid or aspiration. The gastric lumen and the jejunal lumen of the “D” tube both connect to a transitional connector bolus in the stomach. The gastric lumen of the “D” tube joins with a lumen in the transitional bolus that communicates with a gastric port. The gastric port is recessed to the level of its full internal lumen, thereby providing maximum protection against occlusion and maximum area for outflow. The “D” jejunal lumen connects in the bolus with a lumen that transitions from a “D” shape to a full circle shape. The latter provides for the attachment of a smaller, round, single lumen tube that extends into the jejunum.

Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter including a catheter tube and a bolus tip, the bolus having a radially extending main side port. The catheter also has second and third side ports axially spaced from said main side port. The second and third side ports are each axially elongated, with an edge which is semi-circular in cross-section. The second side port is displaced 180° from the main side port. The third side port is axially aligned with the main port. The catheter is thickened in an arch opposite each of the second and third side ports.

Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter comprising a lumen tube with a bolus at its distal end. A main venous port is formed in one side of the bolus adjacent the bullet nose of the bolus. Second and third venous ports are formed in either the bolus or the tube. The second port is circumferentially displaced 180° around the catheter from the main venous port. An arterial port is formed in either the bolus or the tube, in axial alignment with the main venous port and circumferentially displaced 180° around the catheter from the second venous port.

Abstract: A blood vessel catheter including a catheter tube and a bolus having a bullet nose. The bolus includes a passage section with a side opening port. A nose section with a bullet nose has a smaller cross-section than the rest of the bolus and is offset from the axis of the passage section in the radial direction of the port. The bullet nose is rounded and unperforated.

Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter comprising a dual lumen tube with a bullet nose bolus at its distal end. A venous port is formed in one side of the bolus adjacent the bullet nose of the bolus. An arterial port is formed in the bolus circumferentially displaced 180° around the catheter from the venous port. The bolus contains a venous passage which transitions from a smaller diameter D-shaped cross-section to a larger diameter circular cross-section. The bullet nose is thinner than the tube but is inclined on an angle to the axis of the tube so that a portion of its outer periphery is substantially tangent to a hypothetical cylinder containing the trailing edge of the venous port.

Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter comprising a dual lumen tube with a bullet nose bolus at its distal end. A venous port is formed in one side of the bolus adjacent the bullet nose of the bolus. An arterial port is formed in the bolus circumferentially displaced 180° around the catheter from the venous port. The bolus contains a venous passage which transitions from a smaller diameter D-shaped cross-section to a larger diameter circular cross-section. The bullet nose is thinner than the tube but is inclined on an angle to the axis of the tube so that a portion of its outer periphery is substantially tangent to a hypothetical cylinder containing the trailing edge of the venous port.

Abstract: A catheter including a catheter tube and a bolus tip, the bolus having a radially extending main side port. In one embodiment the catheter also has second and third side ports axially spaced from said main side port. The second and third side ports are each axially elongated, with an edge which is semi-circular in cross-section. The second side port is displaced 180° from the main side port. The third side port is axially aligned with the main port. The catheter is thickened in a dimple opposite each of the second and third side ports. Another catheter embodiment specifically for hemodialysis includes a dual lumen tube with a bolus at its distal end. A main venous port is formed in one side of the bolus adjacent the bullet nose of the bolus. Variations of this embodiment utilize a bolus with a 13.5 French tube connector section and a 10 French nose section, with the venous port formed in the nose section.

Abstract: A plastic film fluid storage bag and dispensing spike assembly and method wherein the spike punctures the film and forms a fluid tight seal with the film surrounding a hole formed by the puncture. The film has no separate port structure for dispensing its contents. The spike may include a bulbous body with a sharpened tip at one end, an enlarged central portion, and a reduced diameter portion at its opposite end, adjacent a radially extending skirt. When seated, a seal is created around the smaller diameter portion of the body and against the skirt. The spike may alternatively include a cylindrical body with a slightly rounded point at one end and a radially extending skirt intermediate its ends. Finally, the cylindrical body spike may be used without a skirt. In all cases, a fluid passage extends through the body.

Abstract: A corporeal access assembly including a tube segment having a body formed of silicone rubber and containing a coil spring embedded therein. The silicone rubber has a low durometer hardness of about 35 on the A scale. The tube segments have relatively large diameter liquid flow passages therethrough for all French sizes, from 12Fr to 24Fr. The body wall thickness for all French sizes remains the same. An air lumen is provided in one embodiment of the tube segment, with a set connector attached which has a removable plug for blocking or opening an air passage to a retention balloon.

Abstract: An improved catheter for delivering fluid to a body cavity or aspirating the cavity. The catheter includes a cylindrical tube having a proximal end for joining the tube to a source of fluid or suction and a distal end connected to a bolus. The bolus includes a tubular shaped body formed of semi-rigid plastic. The body includes a tube connector section at one end, a tip section at the other end and a passage section between the connector section and the tip section. The passage section also contains a radial passage portion adjacent the tip section that forms a port through the side of the body. The passage section further includes a bolus body segment opposite the port. The body segment connects the tip section with the tube connector section. A side wall is formed in each side of the body segment. Each side wall has a height which is less than 50 percent of the outside radius of the body such that the port extends around more than 180 degrees of the circumference of the body.

Abstract: An improved catheter for delivering fluid to a body cavity or aspirating the cavity. The catheter includes a cylindrical tube having a proximal end for joining the tube to a source of fluid or suction and a distal end connected to a bolus. The bolus includes a tubular shaped body formed of semi-rigid plastic. The body includes a tube connector section at one end, a tip section at the other end and a passage section between the connector section and the tip section. The passage section also contains a radial passage portion adjacent the tip section that forms a port through the side of the body. The port extends around more than 180 degrees of the circumference of the body. A bolus body segment forms a portion of the passage section opposite the port and connects the tip section with the tube connector section. The body segment includes side walls having a height which is less than 50 percent of the outside radius of the body.