Abstract: Methods and devices for actuating a clearance device to clear obstructive debris from medical tubes are disclosed. More particularly, a shuttle that includes a first primary magnetic element that is adapted to magnetically engage and translate a magnetic guide within a tube is disclosed. The first primary magnetic element is aligned so that a first primary magnetic field emanating therefrom is aligned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube when viewed from a side of the shuttle.

Abstract: Methods and devices for actuating a clearance device to clear obstructive debris from medical tubes are disclosed. More particularly, a shuttle that includes a first primary magnetic element that is adapted to magnetically engage and translate a magnetic guide within a tube is disclosed. The first primary magnetic element is aligned so that a first primary magnetic field emanating therefrom is aligned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube when viewed from a side of the shuttle.

Abstract: Methods and devices for actuating a clearance device to clear obstructive debris from medical tubes are disclosed. More particularly, a shuttle that includes a first primary magnetic element that is adapted to magnetically engage and translate a magnetic guide within a tube is disclosed. The first primary magnetic element is aligned so that a first primary magnetic field emanating therefrom is aligned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube when viewed from a side of the shuttle.

Abstract: Methods and devices for actuating a clearance device to clear obstructive debris from medical tubes are disclosed. More particularly, a shuttle that includes a first primary magnetic element that is adapted to magnetically engage and translate a magnetic guide within a tube is disclosed. The first primary magnetic element is aligned so that a first primary magnetic field emanating therefrom is aligned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube when viewed from a side of the shuttle.

Abstract: Methods and devices for actuating a clearance device to clear obstructive debris from medical tubes are disclosed. More particularly, a shuttle that includes a first primary magnetic element that is adapted to magnetically engage and translate a magnetic guide within a tube is disclosed. The first primary magnetic element is aligned so that a first primary magnetic field emanating therefrom is aligned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube when viewed from a side of the shuttle.

Abstract: A replaceable shuttle for actuating a clearance member. The replaceable shuttle including a shuttle body having an elongated recess formed therein and accessible through a longitudinally-extending, lateral mouth thereof. A magnetic element is disposed within the shuttle body adjacent to the elongated recess. The magnetic element is adapted to be magnetically coupled to a magnetic guide of the clearance member disposed within a tube when such tube is received in the elongated recess through the lateral mouth so that translation of the shuttle body will induce a corresponding translation of the clearance member through the tube.

Abstract: A tunneler (100,800) having a shaft (102,802) with an advancement end (106) and a connection end portion (104,804) having a lumen insertion tip (108,806) that may define a locating pin. At least one lumen-gripping section (120,818) is defined on the connection end portion spaced from the lumen insertion tip (108,806), and may be a barb section having at least one discrete barb (120), or an array of barbs (124), each with a sharp lumen-biting edge and a tapered lead-in surface (128) extending from the sharp edge toward the locating pin. Also, the lumen-gripping section (818) may be an annulus having a rounded lumen-engaging surface, or may be a circumferential array of nubs having rounded lumen-engaging surfaces. The connection end portion may have a plurality of axially spaced lumen-gripping sections (220,230;818) that may have the same diameters or different maximum dimensions for use with a range of sizes of catheter lumens.

Abstract: A hub (14) for a triple lumen catheter (12) especially for use with a catheter assembly (10) such as for hemodialysis. The hub (14) has a body (40) with one distal opening (58) for insertion thereinto of a proximal end portion (26) of the catheter (12), and three proximal openings (52,54,56) for insertion thereinto of distal end portions (74,76,78) of three extension tubes (16,18,20) each associated with one of the catheter's three lumens (30,32,34). The hub provides three passageways (68,70,72) extending from respective proximal openings to respective interior openings (60,62,64) in communication with the one distal opening (58), for establishing fluid communication between each extension tube (16,18,20) and its associated catheter lumen (30,32,34). Preferably, the hub is insert molded to respective end portions of the catheter (12) and the extension tubes (16,18,20).

Abstract: Catheter assembly (100) having at least one lumen (150 or 160) and joined to hub (106). While the lumen inner diameter(s) remain constant from distal end (144) of the catheter (140) to proximal end (142), the outer catheter diameter increases proximate the hub (106) providing increased resistance to kinking during connection and disconnection from medical apparatus. The increased proximal catheter diameter preferably is sufficiently large to plug the proximal end of an introducer sheath through which the catheter is inserted during patient placement, to plug the proximal sheath end and minimize blood aspiration therethrough, and later serves to fill the vascular insertion upon complete catheter insertion after removal of the introducer sheath again to minimize blood aspiration through the vascular incision. The catheter may have two lumens (150,160) or more, joined to respective extension tubes in hub (106). The two lumens may each have a respective inner diameter of between about 0.020 in and 0.025 in.

Abstract: Catheter assembly (100) having at least one lumen (150 or 160) and joined to hub (106). While the lumen inner diameter(s) remain constant from distal end (144) of the catheter (140) to proximal end (142), the outer catheter diameter increases proximate the hub (106) providing increased resistance to kinking during connection and disconnection from medical apparatus. The increased proximal catheter diameter preferably is sufficiently large to plug the proximal end of an introducer sheath through which the catheter is inserted during patient placement, to plug the proximal sheath end and minimize blood aspiration therethrough, and later serves to fill the vascular insertion upon complete catheter insertion after removal of the introducer sheath again to minimize blood aspiration through the vascular incision. The catheter may have two lumens (150,160) or more, joined to respective extension tubes in hub (106). The two lumens may each have a respective inner diameter of between about 0.020 in and 0.025 in.

Abstract: A tunneler (100,800) having a shaft (102,802) with an advancement end (106) and a connection end portion (104,804) having a lumen insertion tip (108,806) that may define a locating pin. At least one lumen-gripping section (120,818) is defined on the connection end portion spaced from the lumen insertion tip (108,806). The lumen-gripping section may be a barb section having at least one discrete barb (120) with a sharp lumen-biting edge and a tapered lead-in surface (128) extending from the sharp edge toward the locating pin. The barb section (120) may have one discrete barb, or it may have an array of discrete barbs (124) disposed equiangularly around the circumference of the connection end portion, with interbarb surfaces (126) that may be flat or fluted. The barb section (620) may be semi-cylindrical in cross-section for use with catheter lumens that are semi-cylindrical or D-shaped.

Abstract: A hub (14) for a triple lumen catheter (12) especially for use with a catheter assembly (10) such as for hemodialysis. The hub (14) has a body (40) with one distal opening (58) for insertion thereinto of a proximal end portion (26) of the catheter (12), and three proximal openings (52,54,56) for insertion thereinto of distal end portions (74,76,78) of three extension tubes (16,18,20) each associated with one of the catheter's three lumens (30,32,34). The hub provides three passageways (68,70,72) extending from respective proximal openings to respective interior openings (60,62,64) in communication with the one distal opening (58), for establishing fluid communication between each extension tube (16,18,20) and its associated catheter lumen (30,32,34). Preferably, the hub is insert molded to respective end portions of the catheter (12) and the extension tubes (16,18,20).

Abstract: Catheter assembly (100) having at least one lumen (150 or 160) and joined to hub (106). While the lumen inner diameter(s) remain constant from distal end (144) of the catheter (140) to proximal end (142), the outer catheter diameter increases proximate the hub (106) providing increased resistance to kinking during connection and disconnection from medical apparatus. The increased proximal catheter diameter preferably is sufficiently large to plug the proximal end of an introducer sheath through which the catheter is inserted during patient placement, to plug the proximal sheath end and minimize blood aspiration therethrough, and later serves to fill the vascular insertion upon complete catheter insertion after removal of the introducer sheath again to minimize blood aspiration through the vascular incision. The catheter may have two lumens (150,160) or more, joined to respective extension tubes in hub (106). The two lumens may each have a respective inner diameter of between about 0.020 in and 0.025 in.

Abstract: A catheter insertion needle assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a generally elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle guard disposed at the distal end of the body in a needle guard plane, a first locking member disposed proximate to the distal end of the body, and a second locking member disposed at the proximal end of the body. A slider assembly is also provided. The slider assembly includes a slider that is slidably disposed on the body. The slider assembly also includes a needle having an elongated needle body, a tip disposed at a distal end of the elongated needle body and a cannulating portion extending through the elongated needle body. The needle extends distally of the slider and through the needle guard. A first locking tab is releasably engageable with the first locking member and a second locking portion is lockably engageable with the second locking member.