Abstract: A sacrificial catheter assembly and method of use for placing a functional catheter within the body of a patient, such as into the patient's vasculature, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sacrificial catheter assembly comprises a sacrificial catheter including an elongate body that defines a longitudinally extending lumen. A stylet is removably received within the lumen of the sacrificial catheter such that the catheter and stylet can be advanced together to a target destination within the body of the patient. The sacrificial catheter is configured so as to then be proximally slid over the stylet to remove the sacrificial catheter from the body while the stylet remains in place at the target destination. A functional catheter can then be distally slid over the stylet to place the functional catheter at the target destination. The stylet can then be removed from the body of the patient.

Abstract: An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. Such an access port may comprise a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. Further, the access port may include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. Further, the subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature.

Abstract: An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. Such an access port may comprise a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle into a cavity defined within the body. Further, the access port may include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. Further, the subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature. In one embodiment, an identification feature is engraved or otherwise defined by the access port, so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.

Abstract: A catheter connector system for a subcutaneously placed catheter and method of attaching a catheter to extracorporeal medical equipment. The catheter connector system and method enables proximal trimming of the placed catheter and facilitates precise positioning of both distal and proximal ends of a catheter. The method includes sliding a boot and dilator combination over a portion of a catheter extending from a venipuncture site until a distal end of the boot is positioned in the venipuncture site, removing the dilator from the boot, and trimming a portion of the catheter extending from a proximal end of the boot. A bifurcation assembly may be attached to the proximal end of the boot following trimming of the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter connector system for a subcutaneously placed catheter. The catheter connector system permits proximal trimming of the placed catheter, which is a procedure that provides numerous advantages over traditional methods of trimming catheter distal ends prior to implantation. The catheter connector system can be configured for a single lumen catheter or a multiple lumen catheter. The catheter connector system facilitates precise positioning of both distal and proximal ends of a catheter, providing enhanced functionability and patient comfort.

Abstract: An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. Such an access port may comprise a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. Further, the access port may include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. Further, the subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature.

Abstract: A catheter connector system for a subcutaneously placed catheter. The catheter connector system permits proximal trimming of the placed catheter, which is a procedure that provides numerous advantages over traditional methods of trimming catheter distal ends prior to implantation. The catheter connector system can be configured for a single lumen catheter or a multiple lumen catheter. The catheter connector system facilitates precise positioning of both distal and proximal ends of a catheter, providing enhanced functionability and patient comfort.

Abstract: A catheter connector system for a subcutaneously placed catheter. The catheter connector system permits proximal trimming of the placed catheter, which is a procedure that provides numerous advantages over traditional methods of trimming catheter distal ends prior to implantation. The catheter connector system can be configured for a single lumen catheter or a multiple lumen catheter. The catheter connector system facilitates precise positioning of both distal and proximal ends of a catheter, providing enhanced function ability and patient comfort.

Abstract: Assemblies for identifying a power injectable vascular access port are described. One assembly includes a vascular access port, a first identifiable feature, a second identifiable feature, and a third identifiable feature. The first identifiable feature is incorporated into the access port and identifies the access port as suitable for flowing fluid at a fluid flow rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second through the access port. The second identifiable feature is incorporated into the access port and identifies the access port as suitable for accommodating a pressure within the cavity of at least about 35 psi. The third identifiable feature is separated from the access port and confirms that the implanted access port is both suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least about milliliter per second through the access port and for accommodating a pressure within the cavity of at least about 35 psi.

Abstract: Methods of performing a power injection procedure are described. One method includes taking an x-ray of a subcutaneously implanted access port in a patient to determine whether the access port includes a radiographic feature indicating that the access port is suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second through the access port, identifying the indicating radiographic feature on the x-ray, and flowing a fluid through the access port at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second.

Abstract: Methods of power injecting a fluid through an access port are described. One method includes implanting in a patient an access port suitable for passing fluid therethrough at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second, the access port including a body defining a cavity, a septum, and an outlet in fluid communication with the cavity, and flowing a fluid through an infusion set into the access port at a rate of at least about 1 milliliter per second, the infusion set including a needle in fluid communication with a tubing, the tubing in fluid communication with a connector, each of the needle, tubing, and connector constructed to have a burst pressure of at least about 100 psi.

Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter, including an elongate body with an outer wall enclosing an arterial lumen and a venous lumen, and a method of making same. A loop extends from a distal end of the body and defines an enclosed opening. An arterial inlet in fluid communication with the arterial lumen, and a venous outlet in fluid communication with the venous lumen, are positioned on the loop.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter configured for insertion into the vasculature of a patient for fluid infusion into or fluid aspiration from the patient is disclosed. The multi-lumen catheter includes one or more cross sectionally variable lumens, wherein the cross sectional area of the lumen(s) may be selectively increased, particularly during fluid infusion, in order to enable relatively greater fluid flow rate therethrough. In one embodiment, the multi-lumen catheter includes a deformable first septum for providing an increased cross sectional area for a lumen under high flow rate pressurization, such as power injection. A deformable second septum also deforms to allow for first septum deformation and additionally provides an urging force to restore the first septum to an un-deformed state once lumen pressurization has ceased. In another embodiment, a bi-positional septum is used to selectively increase the cross sectional area of a lumen of the catheter during power injection.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter comprising a loop-like structure at the distal portion of the catheter is disclosed herein. In one variation, the loop-tip catheter comprises a dual lumen catheter and a loop-like structure at the distal end of the catheter. The loop-like structure includes at least one lumen, which is in fluid communication with at lease one of the two lumens in the dual lumen catheter. One or more ports are provided on the loop-like structure for accessing the lumens within the loop. In another variation, the loop-tip catheter is configured with an arterial inlet positioned on an inner surface of the loop, while a venous outlet is positioned on an outer surface of the loop. Methods for making and using variations of the loop-tip catheter are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter defined by at least two separate tip sections distal to a dividing point includes strategic placement of openings in the tip sections to facilitate fluid flow and minimize typical problems associated with catheters. In a multi-lumen catheter having tip sections with a releasably joined or splittable region, the bond strength between the tip sections is varied along their length such that an increasing separation force is required to separate the tip sections from one another distal to the dividing point. Delivery of a multi-lumen catheter is improved with respect to both sheathed and non-sheathed delivery methods, in which a friction reducing structure is provided on either the catheter, delivery sheath or both to provide a buffer for a sheathed delivery and in which a unique guidewire aperture or additional lumen is provided in at least one of the tip sections for a non-sheathed delivery.

Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter defined by at least two separate tip sections distal to a dividing point includes strategic placement of openings in the tip sections to facilitate fluid flow and minimize typical problems associated with catheters. In a multi-lumen catheter having tip sections with a releasably joined or splittable region, the bond strength between the tip sections is varied along their length such that an increasing separation force is required to separate the tip sections from one another distal to the dividing point. Delivery of a multi-lumen catheter is improved with respect to both sheathed and non-sheathed delivery methods, in which a friction reducing structure is provided on either the catheter, delivery sheath or both to provide a buffer for a sheathed delivery and in which a unique guidewire aperture or additional lumen is provided in at least one of the tip sections for a non-sheathed delivery.

Abstract: A surgical cutting device for producing a skin incision of controlled length and depth at a guidewire skin puncture location. The cutting device is particularly useful for making incisions for the insertion of catheters. In one variation, the cutting device comprises a retractable blade and a channel for positioning the cutting device around a guidewire. The channel may be adapted such that when a guidewire is placed inside the cutting device, the guidewire may exit the channel at a 30 degree angle relative to the base of the cutting device. Methods for using the cutting device are also described.

Abstract: A conduit of relatively tough biocompatible material encloses a longitudinally extending fluid flow lumen and has a distal end configured as a catheter coupling hub. The conduit is encircled at the distal end of the catheter coupling hub and a portion of the conduit distal of and adjacent to the catheter coupling hub by a stabilization sleeve made of a contrastingly resilient, soft material suitable for skin contact applications. A pair of stabilization wings extends laterally on opposite sides from the stabilization sleeve at an attachment location separated from the portion of the stabilization sleeve in which the catheter coupling hub is received. As a result, a strain relief region is created. The stabilization sleeve is permanently attached to the conduit at the coupling hub only.

Abstract: An elongated access port has a needle-impenetrable housing enclosing a fluid reservoir. The housing includes a base having a floor with an upstanding encircling sidewall and a cap having a top wall with a depending encircling skirt. The skirt of the cap receives the sidewall of the base. An access aperture extends through the top wall of the cap to communicate with the fluid reservoir. The access aperture is encircled by a continuous rim having an elongated shape in the plane of the access aperture. The rim of the access aperture may be elliptical, oval, polygonal, or parabolic-ended. An elastomeric, needle-penetrable, generally planar septum is disposed in the access aperture with the periphery of the septum in sealing engagement with the rim of the access aperture. Prior to installation, the septum has a periphery with a cross section in the plane of the septum that is geometrically proportional to and larger than the shape of the access aperture.