Abstract: 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 said further lumen, a connector at said 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, said openings being spaced from one another longitudinally of the body and said further lumen extending longitudinally beyond said 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 said body and the longitudinally extending lumens being blocked immediately adjacent and distally of said openings.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A dual lumen catheter is provided having an elongate body defining coaxial intake and return lumens and a junction containing a proximal end of the body with parts of the lumens in the junction constrained in side-by-side relationship. First and second connecting tubes are engaged in the junction and extend generally longitudinally away from the main body. The junction provides fluid continuity between the first connecting tube and the intake lumen and between the second connecting tube and the return lumen to permit the catheter to be used for simultaneous dual flow. The distal end of the catheter includes a conical transition portion at which the exterior diameter of the dual lumen main catheter section is smoothly reduced to that of an open-ended, single lumen cylindrical tip section of lesser diameter.

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 part 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 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter is disclosed having an elongate main body defining guide wire and fluid supply lumens and terminating at a distal end in a tapered tip. The fluid supply lumen is closed at the tip and the guide wire lumen extends to the tip for receiving a Seldinger wire to guide the catheter during insertion procedures. The main body defines a side opening meeting the supply lumen near the tip and a balloon is sealed to the main body near the tip and contains the side opening. The balloon has a membrane of inelastic material having a defined shape when inflated by fluid pressure applied through the supply lumen, and an elastic sheath covering the membrane.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A dual lumen catheter, for insertion into a vein of a patient for use in haemodialysis treatments, having first and second portions defining a shorter intake lumen and a longer return lumen. The intake lumen is closed at its end and receives blood through at least one opening in the side wall of the catheter and the second lumen includes the second portion which is of smaller cross-section than the first portion. Also described is a catheter having an intake lumen and a return lumen in which the return lumen has a tip of different stiffness from the main body of the catheter, the intake lumen being closed at its end and receiving fluid through an opening in the side wall of the catheter.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A dual lumen catheter, for insertion into a vein of a patient for use in haemodialysis treatments, having first and second portions defining a shorter intake lumen and a longer return lumen. The intake lumen is closed at its end and receives blood through at least one opening in the side wall of the catheter and the second lumen includes the second portion which is of smaller cross-section than the first portion. Also described is a catheter having an intake lumen and a return lumen in which the return lumen has a tip of different stiffness from the main body of the catheter, the intake lumen being closed at its end and receiving fluid through an opening in the side wall of the catheter.

Abstract: A flexible dual lumen catheter is provided for use especially in prolonged access. The catheter is especially used for such access in haemodialysis treatments and includes an elongate body having side-by-side lumens, distal and proximal ends, and one of the lumens being an intake lumen for receiving body fluid and other being a return lumen for leading fluid to the body. Connecting tubes are provided attached to the lumens and a tip is provided adjacent the distal end. The tip defines an intake opening spaced from the distal end of the body to provide access to the intake lumen and the return opening leads from the return lumen at the distal end of the body.

Abstract: The invention provides a balloon of non-elastomeric material which is spirally wrapped onto the main body of the catheter. The catheter is inserted in this condition and on inflation, the balloon aligns itself with the axis of the main body causing the body within the balloon to twist and store energy which is available for collapsing the balloon after use.

Abstract: A dual lumen catheter, for insertion into a vein of a patient for use in haemodialysis treatments, having first and second portions defining a shorter intake lumen and a longer return lumen. The intake lumen is closed at its end and receives blood through at least one opening in the side wall of the catheter and the second lumen includes the second portion which is of smaller cross-section than the first portion. Also described is a catheter having an intake lumen and a return lumen in which the return lumen has a tip of different stiffness from the main body of the catheter, the intake lumen being closed at its end and receiving fluid through an opening in the side wall of the catheter. Methods of making such catheters are also described.

Abstract: A biopsy catheter for use in Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS) has a flexible cannula and an obturator for stiffening the cannula during insertion. The cannula has a curved portion to facilitate insertion and the obturator has a very flexible leading portion connected to a straight portion. The leading portion of the obturator is in the form of a coiled spring wire which lies in the curved portion of the cannula during insertion and which is longer than this curved portion. The coiled spring wire has a very low resistance to bending about its longitudinal axis so that when the obturator is withdrawn the coiled spring wire flexes to follow the curve of the cannula with minimal resistance to avoid displacement of the cannula end after it is located for collecting a sample of villi.

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.