Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
The method of circulating blood through a multiple lumen catheter which extends in substantially an inverted U-shape in the patient and connects between a vein of a patient and a blood treatment device, said catheter and the lumens thereof each defining blunt, distal ends positioned within said vein, comprising the steps of: withdrawing blood from said vein through one of said lumens at a flow rate of at least about 200 mi./min.; and inserting blood into said vein through another of said lumens at a similar flow; the distal ends of said lumens being longitudinally spaced from each other by no more than about 5 mm.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
The method of circulating blood through a multiple lumen catheter which extends in substantially an inverted U-shape in the patient and connects between a vein of a patient and a blood treatment device, said catheter and the lumens thereof each defining blunt, distal ends positioned within said vein, comprising the steps of: withdrawing blood from said vein through one of said lumens at a flow rate of at least about 200 mi./min.; and inserting blood into said vein through another of said lumens at a similar flow; the distal ends of said lumens being longitudinally spaced from each other by no more than about 5 mm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 in which the circulating blood passes through said distal lumen ends in substantially parallel but opposite directions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 in which said flow rate is at least about 300 mi./min.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 in which said distal ends of the lumens are positioned beside each other without longitudinal spacing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 in which the distal ends of said lumens are separated by a wall projecting distally beyond said lumen distal ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 in which said wall comprises an extension of a septum that extends through said catheter and separates said lumens along the catheter length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 in which the circulating blood passes through distal lumen ends in opposite directions, which directions diverge in acute angle relation from each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 in which said method is repeated intermittently, using a catheter which is permanently implanted in the patient.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
125 words
The method of repeatedly and intermittently circulating blood through a permanently implanted, multiple lumen catheter which extends in substantially an inverted U-shape in the patient and connects between a vein of a patient and a blood treatment device, said catheter and the lumens thereof each defining soft, blunt distal ends positioned within said vein, comprising the steps of withdrawing blood from said vein through one of said lumens at a flow rate of at least 300 ml/min.; and inserting blood into said vein through another of said lumens at a similar flow in a substantially parallel but opposite direction to the flow direction of withdrawing blood; the distal ends of said lumens being longitudinally spaced from each other by no more than about 5 mm.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
125 words
The method of repeatedly and intermittently circulating blood through a permanently implanted, multiple lumen catheter which extends in substantially an inverted U-shape in the patient and connects between a vein of a patient and a blood treatment device, said catheter and the lumens thereof each defining soft, blunt distal ends positioned within said vein, comprising the steps of withdrawing blood from said vein through one of said lumens at a flow rate of at least 300 ml/min.; and inserting blood into said vein through another of said lumens at a similar flow in a substantially parallel but opposite direction to the flow direction of withdrawing blood; the distal ends of said lumens being longitudinally spaced from each other by no more than about 5 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 in which said distal ends of the lumens are positioned beside each other without longitudinal spacing.