Abstract: High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

Abstract: High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

Abstract: High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

Abstract: High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

Abstract: High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

Abstract: High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

Abstract: High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

Abstract: High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

Abstract: A valved introducer sheath is used to facilitate the insertion of a flexible medical device into a body. The elongated valve of the valved introducer sheath is constructed of a foam material that is injected into the sheath and sliced longitudinally to create one or more self-sealing slits through which flexible medical devices can be passed. As a medial device is passed through the self-sealing slit(s) at a proximal end, the self-sealing slits seal around the medical device before opening at a distal end. The elongated valve is also affixed to at least some of the inner surface of the sheath. The valve will tear into halves along at least one of the self-sealing slits when the sheath is peeled.

Abstract: A catheter with a distal end having a member formed from a hydrophilic composition is provided. The hydrophilic composition expands upon contact with an aqueous fluid to move the member from a quiescent state to an expanded state. The member may provide an open passageway in the quiescent state and be capable for forming a fluid tight seal by action of expansion of the hydrophilic composition. In such a case the member acts as a valve for permitting or preventing fluid flow through the catheter.

Abstract: A valved introducer sheath is used to facilitate the insertion of a flexible medical device into a body. The elongated valve of the valved introducer sheath is constructed of a foam material that is injected into the sheath and sliced longitudinally to create one or more self-sealing slits through which flexible medical devices can be passed. As a medial device is passed through the self-sealing slit(s) at a proximal end, the self-sealing slits seal around the medical device before opening at a distal end. The elongated valve is also affixed to at least some of the inner surface of the sheath. The valve will tear into halves along at least one of the self-sealing slits when the sheath is peeled.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a slit valve catheter has a generally tubular catheter body with an exterior surface exposed to an environment and an interior surface defining a lumen. The catheter further includes a valve which has a protuberance projecting radially from the catheter body.

Abstract: High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

Abstract: High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

Abstract: A catheter with a distal end having a member formed from a hydrophilic composition is provided. The hydrophilic composition expands upon contact with an aqueous fluid to move the member from a quiescent state to an expanded state. The member may provide an open passageway in the quiescent state and be capable for forming a fluid tight seal by action of expansion of the hydrophilic composition. In such a case the member acts as a valve for permitting or preventing fluid flow through the catheter.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a slit valve catheter has a generally tubular catheter body with an exterior surface exposed to an environment and an interior surface defining a lumen. The catheter further includes a valve which has a protuberance projecting radially from the catheter body.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a slit valve catheter has a generally tubular catheter body with an exterior surface exposed to an environment and an interior surface defining a lumen. The catheter further includes a valve which has a protuberance projecting radially from the catheter body.

Abstract: An over-the-wire catheter with a sealable distal end is provided. The distal end is capable for forming a fluid tight seal by action of a hydrophilicly expandable valve. The valve is also a lubricous composition to provide for a guidewire that slidably moves through the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A “slip” hub design is used with catheters to reduce flexure motion at the hub to catheter shaft connection. The design includes a hub having a section of reduced diameter and having a longitudinal axis extending along the length of the hub. The reduced diameter section has a first length. The design also includes a suture wing component having a first portion with a lumen. Wings extend from the first portion, and in use are sutured to the skin of a patient, or to an anchoring device that is secured to the skin of a patient. The lumen has a second length that is less than the first length. The reduced diameter section of the hub is disposed within the lumen such that the axis extends through the lumen and such that the hub and the suture wing component are movable relative to each other both axially along the axis and rotationally about the axis.

Abstract: High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.