Retention catheter

Claim 2

A retention catheter which comprises: a. an extruded tube having a drainage lumen extending longitudinally for the entire length thereof, an inflation lumen extending longitudinally for the entire length thereof, a first radial aperture in the wall of said tube adjacent the distal end thereof communicating with said drainage lumen and a second radial aperture in the wall of said tube, adjacent the distal end thereof but proximally located with respect to said first aperture and communicating with said inflation lumen; b. means for plugging said inflation lumen distally of said second aperture; c. a closed end sleeve, having a modulus of elasticity less than the modulus of elasticity of said tube, disposed around the distal end of said tube and extending proximally along said tube to a point past said second aperture and having an aperture aligned with said first aperture, the tip of said sleeve being substantially solid and having a rounded exterior and an interior which includes a shoulder which substantially abuts the transverse distal end of said tube, said closed end sleeve peripherally and at least, in part, abuttingly bonded to said tube, the area of peripheral bonding between said tube and said shaft defining two bands with an unbonded area therebetween, said unbonded area including said second aperture.

Claim 3

The catheter of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the distal end of said tube is reduced in the region where said tube is peripherally bonded to said sleeve.

Claim 4

The catheter of claim 2 wherein said tube further includes an annular shoulder in said unbonded area.

Claim 5

The catheter of claim 1 wherein the distal end of said tube is beveled.

Claim 6

The catheter of claim 4 wherein the diameter of the distal end of said tube is reduced in the region where said tube is peripherally bonded to said sleeve.

Claim 7

The catheter of claim 5 wherein said tube further includes an annular shoulder in said unbonded area.

Claim 8

The catheter of claim 1 which further includes a protuberance, integral with said tip and extending into and engagingly received by said inflation lumen.

Claim 9

The catheter of claim 7 wherein the diameter of the distal end of said tube is reduced in the region where said tube is peripherally bonded to said sleeve.

Claim 10

The catheter of claim 8 wherein said tube further includes an annular shoulder in said unbonded area.

Claim 11

The catheter of claim 9 wherein the distal end of said tube is beveled.

Claim 12

A retention catheter which comprises: a. an extruded tube having a drainage lumen extending longitudinally for the entire length thereof, an inflation lumen extending longitudinally for the entire length thereof, a first radial aperture in the wall of said tube adjacent the distal end thereof communicating with said drainage lumen and a second radial aperture in the wall of said tube, adjacent the distal end thereof but proximally located with respect to said first aperture and communicating with said inflation lumen; b. means for plugging said inflation lumen distally of said second aperture; c. a substantially solid tip bonded to the distal end of said tube, said tip having, i. a rearwardly extending protuberance engagingly received in said drainage lumen, ii. an annular shoulder substantially abutting the transverse end of said tube, and iii. a rounded, forward exterior; d. a closed end sleeve, having a modulus of elasticity less than the modulus of elasticity of said tube, disposed around said tip and the distal end of said tube and extending proximally along said tube to a point past said second aperture and having an aperture aligned with said first aperture, said closed end sleeve peripherally bonded to said tube and said tip, the area of peripheral bonding between said tube and said shaft defining two bands with an unbonded area therebetween, said unbonded area including said second aperture.

Claim 13

A retention catheter which comprises: a. an extruded tube having a drainage lumen extending longitudinally for the entire length thereof, an inflation lumen extending longitudinally for the entire length thereof, a first radial aperture in the wall of said tube adjacent the distal end thereof communicating with said drainage lumen and a second radial aperture in the wall of said tube, adjacent the distal end thereof but proximally located with respect to said first aperture and communicating with said inflation lumen; b. means for plugging said inflation lumen distally of said second aperture; c. a substantially solid tip bonded to the distal end of said tube, said tip having, i. a rearwardly extending protuberance engagingly received in said drainage lumen, ii. an annular shoulder substantially abutting the transverse end of said tube, and iii. a rounded, forward exterior; d. a closed end sleeve, having a modulus of elasticity less than the modulus of elasticity of said tube, disposed around said tip and the distal end of said tube and extending proximally along said tube to a point past said second aperture and having an aperture aligned with said first aperture, said closed end sleeve peripherally bonded to said tube and said tip, the area of peripheral bonding between said tube and said shaft defining two bands with an unbonded area therebetween, said unbonded area including said second aperture.

Claim 14

The catheter of claim 11 wherein said tip is radio opaque.

Claim 17

The method of claim 13 which further includes the step of heating said sleeve and said tube while said sleeve and said tube are compressed.

Claim 18

The method of claim 14 which further includes grinding said tube at said one end to reduce the diameter thereof before said sleeve is mounted on said tube.

Claim 19

The method of claim 15 wherein said bonding and compressing step includes the steps of: a. positioning the tube and sleeve within a cavity which engagingly surrounds said sleeve; and b. increasing the pressure within said drainage lumen.

Claim 20

The method of claim 16 wherein said tube, said sleeve and said bonding material are silicone rubber.

Claim 21

The method of claim 17 wherein said tube and said sleeve are partially cured silicone rubber and further including the step of post curing said tube and sleeve after providing said second aperture.