Reinforced multi-lumen catheter

Abstract

A reinforced multi-lumen catheter and method of manufacturing the same. An assembly for manufacturing the multi-lumen catheter includes a catheter body substrate including a septum, one or more mandrels, a reinforcing element and one or more sleeves. The septum may have a distal region with a cross-sectional thickness greater than that of a proximal region. The septum can be separately formed. The septum can be split along a length of the distal region. The reinforcing element can be positioned over at least a proximal region of the catheter body substrate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 533,683, filed Dec. 31, 2003, which is expressly incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. REFERENCE TO A COMPACT DISK APPENDIX [0003] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Multi-lumen catheters are used for the purpose of creating two or more separate fluid pathways, such as in hemodialysis applications. A primary goal of hemodialysis access is to provide a reliable and effective means of dialysis, which means that a sufficient volume of blood over a period of time must be removed from and returned to the patient. Because the contaminated and cleansed blood must be kept separate for an effective dialysis procedure, a dual lumen catheter is generally used. Typically, a dual lumen catheter for hemodialysis is configured so that there is a shorter lumen ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] In yet another manufacturing variation of the present invention, a reinforced split-tip catheter can be constructed utilizing a proximal dual lumen substrate and two separate D-shaped lumen substrates. Two D-shaped mandrels are placed through the lumens of the proximal substrate and into the proximal end of the distal substrates. The proximal and distal substrates are brought into contact with one another and a reinforcing element is disposed over the proximal substrate (and may overlap onto the distal substrate to fortify the bond between the proximal and distal substrates). A sleeve is then placed over the assembly, extending to a point proximal the distal end of the D-shaped lumen substrates and shrink tubing is placed over the sleeve. Heat is applied, causing the sleeve to melt onto the substrates and causing the

Problems solved by technology

The primary problems occurring in dual lumen dialysis catheters include thrombosis and fibrin sheath formation, which can act to occlude distal tips of the dialysis catheter lumens, resulting in loss of catheter function when such an occlusion prevents blood flow.

A secondary problem relates to the arterial lumen “sucking” against the vesse

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