Abstract A hepatic bypass catheter comprising a triple lumen tube having a proximal end and a distal ends. Two balloon-like expandable segments are spaced about seven centimeters apart and located at the distal end of the tube two inflation couplers are connected to the two expander lumens at the proximal end thereby providing independent control over each expander. Several nine millimeter holes in the wall of the third, larger lumen are located on the proximal side of the second balloon. In practice, the distal end of the catheter is introduced into a femoral vein and the catheter advanced until the expanders are placed on each side of the hepatic venous junction with the inferior vena cava. Upon inflation of the expanders, and in conjunction with occlusion of the common hepatic artery and the portal vein, the liver is isolated from the circulatory system. Blood returning to the heart through the inferior vena cava bypasses this junction by entering the large lumen through the side holes traveling through the center of the balloons and continuing to the right atrium. The outer surface of the expander balloons are textured to reduce slippage while the inner surface of the balloons are coated with a non-blocking layer to facilitate inflation, even after long periods of storage.
A bypass catheter for preventing the flow of blood between a first blood vessel and a second blood vessel, said first blood vessel intersecting said second vessel to form a tee, said second blood vessel having a central channel passing therethrough into which said bypass catheter may be inserted, said bypass catheter comprising in combination: (a) an elongated tubular body having an outer wall with two longitudinally extending expander lumens embedded within said outer wall, a longitudinally extending greater lumen, and a proximal end and a distal end with two expander members affixed near said distal end, at least one of said expander members having a unitary textured silicone outer vessel-contacting surface comprising a plurality of pores or interstices in an otherwise smooth outer surface, said expander members being in fluid communication with said expander lumens of said tubular body; (b) a coupling means connected to the proximal ends of said expander lumens for injecting a fluid into said expander members; and (c) holes in the wall of said elongate tubular body providing fluid communication between said greater lumen and said central channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A bypass catheter for preventing the flow of blood between a first blood vessel and a second blood vessel, said first blood vessel intersecting said second vessel to form a tee, said second blood vessel having a central channel passing therethrough into which said bypass catheter may be inserted, said bypass catheter comprising in combination: (a) an elongated tubular body having an outer wall with two longitudinally extending expander lumens embedded within said outer wall, a longitudinally extending greater lumen, and a proximal end and a distal end with two expander members affixed near said distal end, at least one of said expander members having a unitary textured silicone outer vessel-contacting surface comprising a plurality of pores or interstices in an otherwise smooth outer surface, said expander members being in fluid communication with said expander lumens of said tubular body; (b) a coupling means connected to the proximal ends of said expander lumens for injecting a fluid into said expander members; and (c) holes in the wall of said elongate tubular body providing fluid communication between said greater lumen and said central channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The bypass catheter of claim 1 wherein said first blood vessel is the hepatic vein and said second blood vessel is the inferior vena cava.