Peritoneal dialysis catheter

Claim 1

An implantable catheter which comprises a tubular member adapted for long-term residence in the peritoneal cavity, said tubular member carrying at one end thereof an enlarged, hollow member made of a physiologic material capable of being resealingly needle-pierced for the transfer of dialysis solution to and from the implanted catheter and the peritoneal cavity; a helical spring member embedded within the wall of said enlarged, hollow member to prevent the collapse thereof after implantation and during insertion of a needle therein; said catheter defining a first bend adjacent the enlarged, hollow member, and a second bend adjacent said first bend but spaced from it and positioned more centrally of the catheter than said first bend, said first bend having a relatively larger radius of curvature than said second bend, the second bend defining a plane which, in turn, defines a generally right angle to the plane defined by the first bend, whereby said catheter may be implanted with the enlarged, hollow member being subcutaneously placed to extend horizontally under the skin of the abdomen of a patient when erect, the first bend directing said catheter inwardly of a patient, and a second bend directing the catheter downwardly through the peritoneal cavity, between said first and second bends, porous cuff means attached to said catheter for suturing to the stomach wall, said porous cuff means permitting sealing tissue ingrowth into the cuff means.