Multi-lumen coaxial catheter and method for making same

Claim 2

A multi-lumen catheter having a generally coaxial lumen configuration in use, comprising: (a) a first catheter tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a first lumen extending longitudinally within the catheter from a proximal end to a distal end of the first catheter tube; (b) a second catheter tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion and disposed generally coaxially around the first catheter tube, the first and second catheter tubes defining an annular second lumen extending longitudinally within the catheter from a proximal end to a distal end of the second catheter tube; (c) a third catheter tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion and disposed generally coaxially around the second catheter tube, the second and third catheter tubes defining an annular third lumen extending longitudinally within the catheter from a proximal end to a distal end of the third catheter tube; (d) a sleeve having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the proximal portion of the sleeve being attached to the distal portions of the first, second and third catheter tubes to hold the first and second catheter tubes within the third catheter tube and to seal the second and third lumens in the distal portions of the second and the third catheter tubes, the third lumen being sealed proximally to the second lumen, the distal portion of the sleeve extending outwardly from the proximal portion of the sleeve to the distal end of the first catheter tube and forming a tip around the distal end of the first catheter tube; (e) a first opening extending transversely through the third catheter tube, the sleeve and the second catheter tube and in fluid communication with the second lumen; (f) a second opening extending transversely through the third catheter tube and in fluid communication with the third lumen, the second opening being proximal to the first opening; (g) a third opening extending through the distal portion of the sleeve and in fluid communication with the first lumen; (h) a hub having a plurality of passageways, each of the passageways being in fluid communication with one of the first, second and third lumens; and (i) a plurality of extension tubes, each of the extension tubes being in fluid communication with each of the passageways in the hub.

Claim 3

The catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of first openings extending through the third catheter tube, the sleeve and the second catheter tube and in fluid communication with the second lumen, the plurality of first openings being circumferentially disposed around the catheter.

Claim 4

The catheter according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of second openings extending through the third catheter tube and in fluid communication with the third lumen, the plurality of second openings being circumferentially disposed around the catheter and proximal to the plurality of first openings.

Claim 5

The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the third catheter tube extends outwardly beyond the distal end of the second catheter tube.

Claim 6

The catheter according to claim 4, wherein the distal end of the first catheter tube extends outwardly beyond the distal ends of the second and third catheter tubes.

Claim 7

The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the third opening extends longitudinally through the distal end of the first catheter tube and is coaxial with the first lumen.

Claim 8

The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the catheter further comprises clamps on the extension tubes for independently controlling fluid flow in the extension tubes.

Claim 9

The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the catheter further comprises at least two connectors on proximal ends of at least two of the extension tubes.

Claim 10

The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the first, second and third catheter tubes comprise a first polyurethane and the sleeve comprises a second polyurethane having a softer durometer than the first polyurethane.

Claim 11

The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the tip is frustoconically-shaped.

Claim 12

A multi-lumen catheter having a generally coaxial lumen configuration in use, comprising: (a) at least three generally coaxially disposed catheter tubes having proximal portions and distal portions and defining at least three lumens extending longitudinally within the catheter; (b) a sleeve having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion configured for attaching the distal portions of the catheter tubes together and the distal portion of the sleeve configured for forming a tip around the distal portion of at least one of the catheter tubes; (c) a hub having at least three passageways, each of the passageways being in fluid communication with each of the lumens; (d) at least three extension tubes attached to the hub, each of the at least three extension tubes being in fluid communication with each of the at least three passageways; and (e) at least one opening in each of the distal portions of the catheter tubes, wherein each of the openings is in fluid communication with at least one of the lumens.

Claim 13

A multi-lumen catheter having a generally coaxial lumen configuration in use, comprising: (a) at least three generally coaxially disposed catheter tubes having proximal portions and distal portions and defining at least three lumens extending longitudinally within the catheter; (b) a sleeve having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion configured for attaching the distal portions of the catheter tubes together and the distal portion of the sleeve configured for forming a tip around the distal portion of at least one of the catheter tubes; (c) a hub having at least three passageways, each of the passageways being in fluid communication with each of the lumens; (d) at least three extension tubes attached to the hub, each of the at least three extension tubes being in fluid communication with each of the at least three passageways; and (e) at least one opening in each of the distal portions of the catheter tubes, wherein each of the openings is in fluid communication with at least one of the lumens.

Claim 14

The catheter according to claim 11, wherein there are three catheter tubes, three independent lumens, three extension tubes and three passageways in the hub.

Claim 15

A multi-lumen catheter having a generally coaxial lumen configuration in use, comprising: (a) a first catheter tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a first lumen extending longitudinally within the catheter from a proximal end to a distal end of the first catheter tube; (b) a second catheter tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion and disposed generally coaxially around the first catheter tube, the first and second catheter tubes defining an annular second lumen extending longitudinally within the catheter from a proximal end to a distal end of the second catheter tube; (c) a third catheter tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion and disposed generally coaxially around the second catheter tube, the second and third catheter tubes defining an annular third lumen extending longitudinally within the catheter from a proximal end to a distal end of the third catheter tube, wherein the distal end of the third catheter tube extends outwardly beyond the distal end of the second catheter tube and the distal end of the first catheter tube extends outwardly beyond the distal ends of the second and third catheter tubes; (d) a sleeve having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the proximal portion of the sleeve being, attached to the distal portions of the first, second and third catheter tubes to hold the first and second catheter tubes within the third catheter tube and to seal the second and third lumens in the distal portions of the second and third catheter tubes, the third lumen being sealed proximally to the second lumen, the distal portion of the sleeve extending outwardly from the proximal portion of the sleeve to the distal end of the first catheter tube and forming a frustoconically shaped tip around the distal portion of the first catheter tube; (e) a plurality of first openings circumferentially disposed around the catheter and extending transversely through the third catheter tube, the sleeve and the second catheter tube, the plurality of first openings being in fluid communication with the second lumen; (f) a plurality of second openings circumferentially disposed around the catheter and extending transversely through the third catheter tube, the plurality of second openings being in fluid communication with the third lumen and proximal to the plurality of first openings; (g) a third opening extending longitudinally through the distal end of the first catheter, the third opening being coaxial with and in fluid communication with the first lumen; (h) a hub having a plurality of passageways in independent fluid communication with the first, second and third lumens; and (i) a plurality of extension tubes, each of the extension tubes being in fluid communication with each of the passageways in the hub.

Claim 16

A multi-lumen catheter having a generally coaxial lumen configuration in use, comprising: (a) a first catheter tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a first lumen extending longitudinally within the catheter from a proximal end to a distal end of the first catheter tube; (b) a second catheter tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion and disposed generally coaxially around the first catheter tube, the first and second catheter tubes defining an annular second lumen extending longitudinally within the catheter from a proximal end to a distal end of the second catheter tube; (c) a third catheter tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion and disposed generally coaxially around the second catheter tube, the second and third catheter tubes defining an annular third lumen extending longitudinally within the catheter from a proximal end to a distal end of the third catheter tube, wherein the distal end of the third catheter tube extends outwardly beyond the distal end of the second catheter tube and the distal end of the first catheter tube extends outwardly beyond the distal ends of the second and third catheter tubes; (d) a sleeve having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the proximal portion of the sleeve being, attached to the distal portions of the first, second and third catheter tubes to hold the first and second catheter tubes within the third catheter tube and to seal the second and third lumens in the distal portions of the second and third catheter tubes, the third lumen being sealed proximally to the second lumen, the distal portion of the sleeve extending outwardly from the proximal portion of the sleeve to the distal end of the first catheter tube and forming a frustoconically shaped tip around the distal portion of the first catheter tube; (e) a plurality of first openings circumferentially disposed around the catheter and extending transversely through the third catheter tube, the sleeve and the second catheter tube, the plurality of first openings being in fluid communication with the second lumen; (f) a plurality of second openings circumferentially disposed around the catheter and extending transversely through the third catheter tube, the plurality of second openings being in fluid communication with the third lumen and proximal to the plurality of first openings; (g) a third opening extending longitudinally through the distal end of the first catheter, the third opening being coaxial with and in fluid communication with the first lumen; (h) a hub having a plurality of passageways in independent fluid communication with the first, second and third lumens; and (i) a plurality of extension tubes, each of the extension tubes being in fluid communication with each of the passageways in the hub.