← Back to Patent Explorer
US4995865A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Multi-lumen catheters

Assignee: Worldwide Medical Plastics Inc
•
Filing: 1989-06-09
•
Granted: 1991-02-26
•
Expires: 2009-06-09
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract Catheters having three lumens for injection and removal of fluids comprise an elongated tube having an integrally formed septum which extends throughout the length of the tube and defines the three lumens which may have the same or different cross-sectional areas. A smooth conical tapered tip is provided at the distal end of the tube and one of the lumens extends continuously through the tip to an opening at the apex of the tip. The other lumens extend continuously from the proximal end of the tube to openings in their sidewalls at a location axially spaced from the tip at the distal end. These catheters permit higher rates of fluid transfer in dialysis and like procedures than do double lumen catheters and are less prone to occlusion.

Inventors

  • 👤 William J. Gahara
  • 👤 Thomas R. Johnson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 04:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0023; A61M25/0026; A61M1/00; A61M1/36; A61M1/3621; A61M1/3653; A61M1/3659; A61M1/3661; A61M25/003; A61M2025/0031; A61M2025/004

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 160 words
A three-lumen catheter comprising: an elongated unitary tube having an integral septum extending within the entire length of said tube and dividing the interior of said tube into first, second and third lumens, said integral septum having an approximately T-shaped cross-section; the outer circumference of said tube converging smoothly at its distal end to form a conical tapered tip; said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said tube continuously through said conical tapered tip to an opening at the apex of said tip, said first lumen for introducing fluid to a body cavity; each of said second and third lumens extending continuously from the proximal end of said tube to at least one opening in the sidewall thereof at a location axially spaced from said conical tip, both said second and third lumens for withdrawing fluid from a body cavity; and each of said second and third lumens having no opening through the apex of said conical tip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 160 words
A three-lumen catheter comprising: an elongated unitary tube having an integral septum extending within the entire length of said tube and dividing the interior of said tube into first, second and third lumens, said integral septum having an approximately T-shaped cross-section; the outer circumference of said tube converging smoothly at its distal end to form a conical tapered tip; said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said tube continuously through said conical tapered tip to an opening at the apex of said tip, said first lumen for introducing fluid to a body cavity; each of said second and third lumens extending continuously from the proximal end of said tube to at least one opening in the sidewall thereof at a location axially spaced from said conical tip, both said second and third lumens for withdrawing fluid from a body cavity; and each of said second and third lumens having no opening through the apex of said conical tip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
A three-lumen catheter according to claim 1 wherein said first lumen has an approximately semi-cylindrical cross-section and said second and third lumens have approximately quadrantal cross-sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 192 words
A three-lumen catheter comprising: an elongated unitary tube having an integral septum extending within the entire length of said tube and dividing the interior of said tube into first, second and third lumens; the outer circumference of said tube converging smoothly at its distal end to form a conical tapered tip; said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said tube continuously through said conical tapered tip to an opening at the apex of said tip, said first lumen for introducing fluid to a body cavity; each of said second and third lumens extending continuously from the proximal end of said tube to at least one opening in the sidewall thereof at a location axially spaced from said conical tip, both said second and third lumens for withdrawing fluid from a body cavity; each of said second and third lumens having no opening through the apex of said conical tip; and said first lumen having at least one opening in the sidewall thereof at its distal end at a location axially spaced from said conical tip a distance less than the openings in the sidewalls of said second and third lumens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 192 words
A three-lumen catheter comprising: an elongated unitary tube having an integral septum extending within the entire length of said tube and dividing the interior of said tube into first, second and third lumens; the outer circumference of said tube converging smoothly at its distal end to form a conical tapered tip; said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said tube continuously through said conical tapered tip to an opening at the apex of said tip, said first lumen for introducing fluid to a body cavity; each of said second and third lumens extending continuously from the proximal end of said tube to at least one opening in the sidewall thereof at a location axially spaced from said conical tip, both said second and third lumens for withdrawing fluid from a body cavity; each of said second and third lumens having no opening through the apex of said conical tip; and said first lumen having at least one opening in the sidewall thereof at its distal end at a location axially spaced from said conical tip a distance less than the openings in the sidewalls of said second and third lumens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 39 words
A three-lumen catheter according to claim 3 wherein there are at least two said openings in said sidewall of said first lumen, said openings being aligned on a path parallel to that of the axis of said elongated tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 43 words
A three-lumen catheter according to claim 3 wherein there are at least two said openings in said sidewall of said first lumen and said openings are located on a path which is positioned spirally with respect to the axis of said elongated tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 24 words
A three-lumen catheter according to claim 1 wherein the apex of said conical tip is substantially aligned with the axis of said elongated tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 31 words
A three-lumen catheter according to claim 1 wherein the opening in the first lumen at the apex of said conical tip is substantially aligned with the axis of said elongated tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 61 words
A three-lumen catheter according to claim 1 which also comprises a branching connector at the proximal end of said elongated tube connecting the latter to separate tubes one of which communicates with said first lumen to introduce fluid to the body cavity and the other of which communicates with said second and third lumens to withdraw fluid from the body cavity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 170 words
A three-lumen catheter comprising: an elongated unitary tube having an integral septum extending within the entire length of said tube and dividing the interior of said tube into first, second and third lumens; the outer circumference of said tube converging smoothly at its distal end to form a conical tapered tip; said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said tube continuously through said conical tapered tip to an opening at the apex of said tip, said first lumen for introducing fluid to a body cavity; each of said second and third lumens extending continuously from the proximal end of said tube to at least two said openings in the sidewall thereof at a location axially spaced from said conical tip, said openings being aligned on a path parallel to that of the axis of said elongated tube, both said second and third lumens for withdrawing fluid from a body cavity; and each of said second and third lumens having no opening through the apex of said conical tip.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 170 words
A three-lumen catheter comprising: an elongated unitary tube having an integral septum extending within the entire length of said tube and dividing the interior of said tube into first, second and third lumens; the outer circumference of said tube converging smoothly at its distal end to form a conical tapered tip; said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said tube continuously through said conical tapered tip to an opening at the apex of said tip, said first lumen for introducing fluid to a body cavity; each of said second and third lumens extending continuously from the proximal end of said tube to at least two said openings in the sidewall thereof at a location axially spaced from said conical tip, said openings being aligned on a path parallel to that of the axis of said elongated tube, both said second and third lumens for withdrawing fluid from a body cavity; and each of said second and third lumens having no opening through the apex of said conical tip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 173 words
A three-lumen catheter comprising: an elongated unitary tube having an integral septum extending within the entire length of said tube and dividing the interior of said tube into first, second and third lumens; the outer circumference of said tube converging smoothly at its distal end to form a conical tapered tip; said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said tube continuously through said conical tapered tip to an opening at the apex of said tip, said first lumen for introducing fluid to a body cavity; each of said second and third lumens extending continuously from the proximal end of said tube to at least two said openings in the sidewall thereof at a location axially spaced from said conical tip, said openings being located on a path which is positioned spirally with respect to the axis of said elongated tube, both said second and third lumens for withdrawing fluid from a body cavity; and each of said second and third lumens having no opening through the apex of said conical tip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 173 words
A three-lumen catheter comprising: an elongated unitary tube having an integral septum extending within the entire length of said tube and dividing the interior of said tube into first, second and third lumens; the outer circumference of said tube converging smoothly at its distal end to form a conical tapered tip; said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said tube continuously through said conical tapered tip to an opening at the apex of said tip, said first lumen for introducing fluid to a body cavity; each of said second and third lumens extending continuously from the proximal end of said tube to at least two said openings in the sidewall thereof at a location axially spaced from said conical tip, said openings being located on a path which is positioned spirally with respect to the axis of said elongated tube, both said second and third lumens for withdrawing fluid from a body cavity; and each of said second and third lumens having no opening through the apex of said conical tip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 150 words
A three-lumen catheter comprising: an elongated unitary tube having an integral septum extending within the entire length of said tube and dividing said tube into first, second and third lumens; the outer circumference of said tube converging at its distal end to form a conical tapered tip; said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said tube continuously through said conical tapered tip to an opening at the apex of said tip; at least one opening in sidewall of said first lumen; each of said second and third lumens extending continuously from the proximal end of said tube to a location axially spaced from said tip; and each of said second and third lumens having at least two openings in the sidewall of said tube, said openings for each of said lumens being located on a path which is positioned spirally with respect to the axis of said tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 150 words
A three-lumen catheter comprising: an elongated unitary tube having an integral septum extending within the entire length of said tube and dividing said tube into first, second and third lumens; the outer circumference of said tube converging at its distal end to form a conical tapered tip; said first lumen extending from the proximal end of said tube continuously through said conical tapered tip to an opening at the apex of said tip; at least one opening in sidewall of said first lumen; each of said second and third lumens extending continuously from the proximal end of said tube to a location axially spaced from said tip; and each of said second and third lumens having at least two openings in the sidewall of said tube, said openings for each of said lumens being located on a path which is positioned spirally with respect to the axis of said tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 17 words
The catheter of claim 11 comprising at least two openings in the sidewall of said first lumen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 32 words
The catheter of claim 12 wherein said openings in the sidewall of said first lumen are located on a path which is positioned spirally with respect to the axis of said tube.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 17 words
The catheter of claim 13 comprising at least three openings in the sidewall of said first lumen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 26 words
The catheter of claim 14 wherein said openings in said first lumen are all spaced axially distally of said openings in said second and third lumens.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US272651A Cited
US4568329A Cited
US4692141A Cited
US4583968A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-02-25 1994-08-27 1995-02-26 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-02-25 1998-08-27 1999-02-26 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-02-25 2002-08-27 2003-02-26 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag