Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a catheter tip in a fixed position within a blood flow and preventing it from contacting a blood vessel wall. The apparatus includes a tip retainer at the distal end of the catheter that stabilizes the tip of the catheter relative to the blood vessel. The catheter tip is retained within the blood vessel spaced from the wall to ensure that it does not contact the wall of the blood vessel. This reduces damage to the blood vessel caused by chronic movement and contact between the catheter tip and the wall of the blood vessel. In one embodiment, the tip retainer includes a prong that penetrates the wall of the blood vessel, thus preventing the catheter tip from moving longitudinally within the blood vessel. In alternative embodiments, the tip retainer contacts the wall but does not penetrate the wall.

Abstract: An elongate catheter having one or more lumens therein and at least one lumen in flow communication with a side opening in the sidewall of the catheter wherein the side opening includes at least a first side which is oriented diagonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the catheter and the first side intersects the septum of the catheter to form a side opening wherein the size of the area of the opening is maximized.

Abstract: An elongate catheter having one or more lumens therein and at least one lumen in flow communication with a side opening in the sidewall of the catheter wherein the side opening includes first and second sides and generally parallel distal and proximal ends thereon to form a generally slot-shaped side opening, and the opening is oriented diagonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including a wire stiffener or a dilator and modified wire stiffener which are used in combination to assist in the insertion of a relatively soft catheter into the patient wherein the wire stiffener temporarily stiffens the catheter and the modified wire stiffener temporarily stiffens the dilator for insertion of the combined wire stiffener and dilator into the catheter. The catheter preferably includes one or more lumens therein and includes an end opening and one or more side openings thereon.

Abstract: An elongated catheter formed of coextruded materials such that the inner surface of the extension members or body portion of the catheter have a higher durometer than the outer surface of the extension members or body portion of the catheter to reduce septum deflection during normal use, and the likelihood of tearing or sticking of the extension members is reduced.