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: 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: 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.

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 dual lumen catheter especially for use in prolonged access haemodialysis, which meets the requirements of flexibility and softness for prolonged access in a vein, and which is shaped to include a curved portion to be placed between the tunnel and the subclavian vein.

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 catheter is provided for sampling, and particularly for sampling chorionic villi. The catheter has a cannula of a material opaque to ultrasound and having a distal portion capable of being curved manually into a desired curvature for use, and defining a lumen extending throughout the length of the cannula for containing a supple obturator to close the distal end of the lumen during insertion and to permit removal of the sample by applying a negative pressure to the proximal end of the catheter once the catheter is in position and the obturator removed.

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.