Abstract: The present invention is directed to subcutaneous peritoneal injection catheters and methods which minimize catheter obstruction during use. The apparatus includes a receiving chamber or reservoir having a relatively small internal volume while employing a penetrable membrane and relatively enlarged target surface area. The reservoir is interconnected with the peritoneal cavity by a hollow stem. The penetrable membrane accommodates a hollow needle being inserted into the receiving reservoir and is configurated with a dome-like profile so that the membrane may also be depressed to expel insulin from the receiving reservoir into the peritoneal cavity in a direction generally toward the mesenteric peritoneal membrane.The distal end of the hollow stem (which is situated inside the peritoneal cavity), is constructed so as to minimize the likelihood of catheter obstruction during use by a patient.

Abstract: A novel implantable, peritoneal injection catheter apparatus and method, the apparatus including an open top, fluid-receiving reservoir mounted to one end of a hollow stem and a penetrable membrane covering the open top of the receiving reservoir. The hollow stem is configurated to extend into the peritoneal cavity and includes a retaining flange system for retaining the hollow stem in fluid communication with the peritoneal cavity. The penetrable membrane serves as an injection site for inserting a hollow needle into the receiving reservoir. The penetrable membrane also includes a dome configuration that may be depressed to expel injection fluids from the reservoir into the peritoneal cavity. A substantial portion of the injection catheter is covered with a velour coating to accomodate tissue ingrowth for further securement of the catheter in the tissue of the abdominal wall.

Abstract: A composition and method for use with peritoneal dialysis patients for preventing or treating dialysis induced peritonitis. The method utilizes a flush solution of normal saline to prepare the peritoneal cavity for infusion of a dilute iodine solution which operates to kill pathogenic organisms contained therein. The dilute iodine solution has a combination I.sub.2 and HIO concentration in the approximate range of 0.1 ppm to 15 ppm and requires residence time of less than five minutes to provide an effective kill. The serial application of flush and dilute iodine solutions may be applied as part of a regular peritoneal dialysis program to prevent peritonitis or may be used with greater frequency as treatment for existing dialysis induced peritonitis.

Abstract: A composition and method for use with peritoneal dialysis patients for preventing or treating dialysis induced peritonitis. The method utilizes a flush solution of normal saline to prepare the peritoneal cavity for infusion of a dilute iodine solution which operates to kill pathogenic organisms contained therein. The dilute iodine solution has a combination I.sub.2 and HIO concentration in the approximate range of 0.1 ppm to 15 ppm and requires residence time of less than five minutes to provide an effective kill. The serial application of flush and dilute iodine solutions may be applied as part of a regular peritoneal dialysis program to prevent peritonitis or may be used with greater frequency as treatment for existing dialysis induced peritonitis.

Abstract: Metabolic waste products from the blood of a patient are removed by pumping dialysis solution into the peritoneal cavity of the patient, and then (a) removing a portion of the dialysis solution from the peritoneal cavity which portion may vary from 1 percent to 90 percent of the total amount of dialysis solution administered to the peritoneal cavity and, (b) "cleaning" (removing metabolic waste products) this solution either through a dialyzer or by means of sorbent modules and then returning this same (cleansed) fluid into the peritoneal cavity. This cycle is repeated again and again until the desired amount of metabolic waste products are removed.Another subcutaneous peritoneal catheter is shown in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 594,374 filed July 9, 1975, since abandoned in favor of Continuation-in-part Application Ser. No. 768,520 filed Feb. 14, 1977.