Catheter assembly with joinable catheters

Abstract

A multiple lumen catheter assembly comprising a first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a second catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; and a connecting means for selectively joining at least a portion of the distal ends of the first and second catheters.

Description

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application is a continuation application of and claims priority on U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10287566 entitled “Catheter Assembly With Joinable Catheters” having a filing date of 4 Nov. 2002, currently pending. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of catheters for use in applications that require blood, fluids, medicated solutions, and other solutions to be removed from and introduced into a person. More particularly, the present invention relates to catheters having dual or multiple independent catheters in which a practitioner can control the distance of separation between the lumens at the distal end of the catheters. [0004] 2. Prior Art [0005] Hemodialysis, one procedure that requires the introduction and removal of blood from a patient, is a routine treatment for patients with renal failure. When patients are placed on hemodialysis, such pati...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a catheter assembly with multiple joinable catheters that can be used for procedures in which bodily fluids, medicated solutions, or other solutions are introduced and removed from a patient. The catheters are designed to be flexible and comfortable for the patient, with a distance between the tips of the catheters that can be adjusted to maximize fluid flow and comfort. The catheter assembly includes at least two catheters that can be joined together at different positions along their length, allowing for flexibility in adjusting the separation distance between the tips of the catheters. The joined catheters can be used for hemodialysis or other procedures that require the removal and introduction of fluids or solutions into a patient."

Problems solved by technology

As the catheter assemblies in Ash '349 and Ash '953 are splittable as such, it may be possible to split or separate the catheters from each other within the assembly substantially beyond a desired or desirable length, which in some cases can impair the function of the catheter assembly.

Although the Pourchez '079 catheter has separated catheter lumen tips, the distance between the lumen tips is predetermined and is not adjustable.

As the Pourchez '079 catheter has a set separation distance between the two lumens, which cannot be changed, the Pourchez '079 catheter may not be useful for a wide variety of sizes of patients.

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