Venous catheter device

Claim 2

A venipuncture device including a hollow needle having a generally circular cross-section, an elongated, flexible catheter provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter slidably extending through said needle and capable of being fed longitudinally into a vein, a plurality of fluid passages extending longitudinally of said catheter and each having a terminus at the distal end portion of said catheter and defining an opening to the outside of said catheter, the terminus of each of said passages being spaced from one another by a distance of at least about one centimeter, said fluid passages being defined at least in part by elongated flexible lumens extending from the proximate end of said catheter, each of said lumens being adapted for attachment to a separate fluid conveying device, whereby fluids may be separately infused into the vein of a patent without becoming mixed before infusion, and whereby blood samples may be withdrawn and venous pressure measurements performed simultaneously with fluid infusion.

Claim 3

A venipuncture device including a hollow needle having a generally circular cross-section, an elongated, flexible catheter provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter slidably extending through said needle and capable of being fed longitudinally into a vein, said catheter including an elongated tube and having a plurality of independent lumens extending longitudinally thereof, one of said lumens terminating substantially coextensive with the catheter tube terminus at the distal end portion, the other of said lumens terminating at the distal end portion of said catheter and defining an opening to the outside of said catheter tube, each of said lumens having its terminus spaced from each of the other lumen termini by a distance of at least about one centimeter, each of said lumens having its proximate end remote from said catheter distal end portion extending beyond said catheter tube and fitted with a lumen adapter, whereby each of said lumens may be connected to a fluid flow device and may be simultaneously used to infuse fluid into the vein of a patient, to withdraw blood samples from the patient's vein and to take venous pressure measurements simultaneously with said fluid infusion and blood sample withdrawal.

Claim 4

A venipuncture device including a hollow needle having a generally circular cross-section, an elongated, flexible catheter provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter slidably extending through said needle and capable of being fed longitudinally into a vein, said catheter including an elongated tube and having a plurality of independent lumens extending longitudinally thereof, one of said lumens terminating substantially coextensive with the catheter tube terminus at the distal end portion, the other of said lumens terminating at the distal end portion of said catheter and defining an opening to the outside of said catheter tube, each of said lumens having its terminus spaced from each of the other lumen termini by a distance of at least about one centimeter, each of said lumens having its proximate end remote from said catheter distal end portion extending beyond said catheter tube and fitted with a lumen adapter, whereby each of said lumens may be connected to a fluid flow device and may be simultaneously used to infuse fluid into the vein of a patient, to withdraw blood samples from the patient's vein and to take venous pressure measurements simultaneously with said fluid infusion and blood sample withdrawal.

Claim 5

A venipuncture device including a hollow needle having a generally circular cross-section, an elongated, flexible catheter tube provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter slidably extending through said needle and capable of being fed longitudinally into a vein, a plurality of independent lumens extending through said catheter tube, each of said lumens having a terminus at the distal end portion of said catheter and defining an opening to the outside of the catheter tube and being spaced from each other, the proximate ends of the lumens remote from the catheter distal terminus extending beyond said catheter tube and being fitted with a lumen adapter for connection to independent fluid devices, each of said lumen adapters being provided with indicia to indicate a corresponding lumen to which the adapter is connected and the position of each lumen terminus relative to the terminus of said catheter tube.

Claim 6

A venipuncture device including a hollow needle having a generally circular cross-section, an elongated, flexible catheter tube provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter slidably extending through said needle and capable of being fed longitudinally into a vein, a plurality of independent lumens extending through said catheter tube, each of said lumens having a terminus at the distal end portion of said catheter and defining an opening to the outside of the catheter tube and being spaced from each other, the proximate ends of the lumens remote from the catheter distal terminus extending beyond said catheter tube and being fitted with a lumen adapter for connection to independent fluid devices, each of said lumen adapters being provided with indicia to indicate a corresponding lumen to which the adapter is connected and the position of each lumen terminus relative to the terminus of said catheter tube.

Claim 7

A venipuncture device including a hollow elongated needle having a generally circular cross-section, an elongated, flexible catheter tube provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter slidably extending through said needle and capable of being fed longitudinally into a vein, a plurality of elongated, flexible lumens encased within said catheter tube and each having a distal terminus adjacent the distal end portion of said catheter, and a proximate end extending beyond the proximate end of said catheter, the distal terminus of one of said lumens being substantially coextensive with the distal terminus of the catheter tube and the distal termini of the other lumens each extending through a separate side opening in said catheter tube, all of said lumen termini being spaced from each of the other lumen termini by a distance of at least about one centimeter, a connector molded over the proximate end of said catheter tube and encasing a portion of the individual lumens extending beyond the proximate end of the catheter tube, each of said lumens having a lumen adapter fitted on its proximate end, whereby to facilitate connection of the individual lumens to separate fluid devices, said adapters being formed to receive flexible conduits and flow control valves for controlling flow of fluid in the individual lumens.

Claim 8

A venipuncture device including a hollow elongated needle having a generally circular cross-section, an elongated, flexible catheter tube provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter slidably extending through said needle and capable of being fed longitudinally into a vein, a plurality of elongated, flexible lumens encased within said catheter tube and each having a distal terminus adjacent the distal end portion of said catheter, and a proximate end extending beyond the proximate end of said catheter, the distal terminus of one of said lumens being substantially coextensive with the distal terminus of the catheter tube and the distal termini of the other lumens each extending through a separate side opening in said catheter tube, all of said lumen termini being spaced from each of the other lumen termini by a distance of at least about one centimeter, a connector molded over the proximate end of said catheter tube and encasing a portion of the individual lumens extending beyond the proximate end of the catheter tube, each of said lumens having a lumen adapter fitted on its proximate end, whereby to facilitate connection of the individual lumens to separate fluid devices, said adapters being formed to receive flexible conduits and flow control valves for controlling flow of fluid in the individual lumens.

Claim 9

A venous catheter device including an elongated, integral flexible catheter tube provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter constructed for insertion into and capable of being fed longitudinally of a vein, a plurality of independent lumens extending through said catheter tube, each of said lumens having a distal terminus adjacent the distal terminus of the catheter tube and defining an opening to the outside of said catheter tube, the distal terminus of said lumens being spaced from each other and all of said lumen termini being within no more than about twelve centimeters from the distal terminus of the catheter tube, the proximate ends of the lumens extending beyond the proximate end of said catheter tube and being fitted with a lumen adapter for connection to independent fluid devices.

Claim 10

A venous catheter device including an elongated, integral flexible catheter tube provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter constructed for insertion into and capable of being fed longitudinally of a vein, a plurality of independent lumens extending through said catheter tube, each of said lumens having a distal terminus adjacent the distal terminus of the catheter tube and defining an opening to the outside of said catheter tube, the distal terminus of said lumens being spaced from each other and all of said lumen termini being within no more than about twelve centimeters from the distal terminus of the catheter tube, the proximate ends of the lumens extending beyond the proximate end of said catheter tube and being fitted with a lumen adapter for connection to independent fluid devices.

Claim 11

A venous catheter device including an elongated, flexible catheter provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter constructed for insertion into and capable of being fed longitudinally of a vein, a plurality of fluid passages extending longitudinally of said catheter and each having a terminus at the distal end portion of said catheter and defining an opening to the outside of said catheter, the terminus of each of said passages being spaced from one another by a distance of at least about one centimeter, said fluid passages being defined at least in part by elongated flexible lumens extending from the proximate end of said catheter, remote from said terminus, at least one of said passages providing means for infusing fluids into the blood stream, and each of said lumens being adapted for attachment to a separate fluid conveying device, whereby fluids may be separately infused into the vein of a patient without becoming mixed before infusion, and whereby blood samples may be withdrawn and venous pressure measurements performed simultaneously with fluid infusion.

Claim 12

A venous catheter device including an elongated, flexible catheter provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter constructed for insertion into and capable of being fed longitudinally of a vein, a plurality of fluid passages extending longitudinally of said catheter and each having a terminus at the distal end portion of said catheter and defining an opening to the outside of said catheter, the terminus of each of said passages being spaced from one another by a distance of at least about one centimeter, said fluid passages being defined at least in part by elongated flexible lumens extending from the proximate end of said catheter, remote from said terminus, at least one of said passages providing means for infusing fluids into the blood stream, and each of said lumens being adapted for attachment to a separate fluid conveying device, whereby fluids may be separately infused into the vein of a patient without becoming mixed before infusion, and whereby blood samples may be withdrawn and venous pressure measurements performed simultaneously with fluid infusion.

Claim 13

A venous catheter device including an elongated, flexible catheter tube provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter constructed for insertion into and capable of being fed longitudinally of a vein, a plurality of independent lumens extending freely through said catheter tube, each of said lumens having a distal terminus adjacent the distal terminus of the catheter tube and spaced from each other, one of said lumens having its distal end substantially coextensive with the distal end of said tube, the other of said lumens exiting at lateral openings in said tube and being joined thereto, at least one of said lumens providing means for infusing fluids into the blood stream, the proximate ends of the lumens extending beyond the proximate end of said catheter tube and being fitted with a lumen adapter for connection to independent fluid devices.

Claim 14

A venous catheter device including an elongated, flexible catheter tube provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter constructed for insertion into and capable of being fed longitudinally of a vein, a plurality of independent lumens extending freely through said catheter tube, each of said lumens having a distal terminus adjacent the distal terminus of the catheter tube and spaced from each other, one of said lumens having its distal end substantially coextensive with the distal end of said tube, the other of said lumens exiting at lateral openings in said tube and being joined thereto, at least one of said lumens providing means for infusing fluids into the blood stream, the proximate ends of the lumens extending beyond the proximate end of said catheter tube and being fitted with a lumen adapter for connection to independent fluid devices.

Claim 15

A venous catheter device including an elongated, integral flexible catheter tube provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter constructed for insertion into and capable of being fed longitudinally of a vein, a plurality of lumens formed as passages in said tube and extending through said catheter tube, each of said lumens having a distal terminus at the distal end portion of the catheter tube and defining an opening to the outside of said catheter tube and being spaced from each other, the proximate ends of the lumens extending beyond the proximate end of said catheter tube and being fitted with a lumen adpater for connection to independent fluid devices, at least one of said lumens providing means for infusing fluids into the blood stream.

Claim 16

A venous catheter device including an elongated, integral flexible catheter tube provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter constructed for insertion into and capable of being fed longitudinally of a vein, a plurality of lumens formed as passages in said tube and extending through said catheter tube, each of said lumens having a distal terminus at the distal end portion of the catheter tube and defining an opening to the outside of said catheter tube and being spaced from each other, the proximate ends of the lumens extending beyond the proximate end of said catheter tube and being fitted with a lumen adpater for connection to independent fluid devices, at least one of said lumens providing means for infusing fluids into the blood stream.

Claim 17

A venipuncture device including a hollow needle having a generally circular cross-section, an elongated, flexible catheter provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter slidably extended through said needle and capable of being fed longitudinally into a vein, a plurality of fluid passages extending longitudinally of said catheter and each having a terminus at the distal end portion of said catheter and defining an opening to the outside of said catheter, the terminus of each of said passages being spaced from one another by a distance of at least about one centimeter, each of said passages being adapted for attachment to a separate fluid conveying device, whereby fluids may be separately infused into the vein of a patient without becoming mixed before infusion, and whereby blood samples may be withdrawn and venous pressure measurements performed simultaneously with fluid infusion.

Claim 18

A venipuncture device including a hollow needle having a generally circular cross-section, an elongated, flexible catheter provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter slidably extended through said needle and capable of being fed longitudinally into a vein, a plurality of fluid passages extending longitudinally of said catheter and each having a terminus at the distal end portion of said catheter and defining an opening to the outside of said catheter, the terminus of each of said passages being spaced from one another by a distance of at least about one centimeter, each of said passages being adapted for attachment to a separate fluid conveying device, whereby fluids may be separately infused into the vein of a patient without becoming mixed before infusion, and whereby blood samples may be withdrawn and venous pressure measurements performed simultaneously with fluid infusion.

Claim 19

A venous catheter device including an elongated, flexible catheter provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter constructed for insertion into or capable of being fed longitudinally into a vein, a plurality of fluid passages extending longitudinally of said catheter and defining an opening to the outside of said catheter, the terminus of each of said passages being spaced from one another by a distance of at least about one centimeter, each of the passages providing means for selectively infusing fluids into the blood stream, withdrawing blood samples, and measuring venous pressure, each of said passages being adapted for attachment to a separate fluid conveying device, whereby fluids may be separately infused into a vein of a patient without becoming mixed before infusion, and whereby blood samples may be withdrawn and venous pressure measurements performed simultaneously with fluid infusion.

Claim 20

A venous catheter device including an elongated, flexible catheter provided with a distal end portion generally circular in cross-section and having a uniform outer diameter constructed for insertion into or capable of being fed longitudinally into a vein, a plurality of fluid passages extending longitudinally of said catheter and defining an opening to the outside of said catheter, the terminus of each of said passages being spaced from one another by a distance of at least about one centimeter, each of the passages providing means for selectively infusing fluids into the blood stream, withdrawing blood samples, and measuring venous pressure, each of said passages being adapted for attachment to a separate fluid conveying device, whereby fluids may be separately infused into a vein of a patient without becoming mixed before infusion, and whereby blood samples may be withdrawn and venous pressure measurements performed simultaneously with fluid infusion.