Auto-inflating catheter cuff

Claim 2

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end of said tube, (e) a non-removable lumen plug in said central lumen positioned axially within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff and between the ends of said cuff, (f) respective openings in said lumen within and at the proximal and distal ends of said cuff to allow flow from said lumen through said cuff to the distal end of said lumen, and means distally of said cuff to restrict the flow through said cuff to create inflating pressure in said cuff.

Claim 3

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more radial openings in said central lumen open to the interior of said cuff including one or more first openings on the proximal side of said plug, and one or more second openings on the distal end of said plug, said second openings having an effective area less than the effective area of the first openings to create a balloon inflating pressure during flow through said lumen on opposite ends of said plug.

Claim 4

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more radial openings in said central lumen open to the interior of said cuff including one or more first openings on the proximal side of said plug, and one or more second openings on the distal end of said plug, said second openings having an effective area less than the effective area of the first openings to create a balloon inflating pressure during flow through said lumen on opposite ends of said plug.

Claim 5

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more openings in said lumen within said cuff to admit lumen fluid into said cuff, and means restricting the flow of lumen fluid distally of said plug to create an inflating pressure in said cuff, said central lumen having formed therein, on the proximal side of said plug and within said cuff, first opposed holes opening to the interior of said cuff, and said lumen having formed therein, on the distal side of said plug and within said cuff, opposed second holes opening from the interior of said cuff, at least one of said second holes having a restricted area to cause inflating pressure in said cuff during flow through said lumen.

Claim 6

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more openings in said lumen within said cuff to admit lumen fluid into said cuff, and means restricting the flow of lumen fluid distally of said plug to create an inflating pressure in said cuff, said central lumen having formed therein, on the proximal side of said plug and within said cuff, first opposed holes opening to the interior of said cuff, and said lumen having formed therein, on the distal side of said plug and within said cuff, opposed second holes opening from the interior of said cuff, at least one of said second holes having a restricted area to cause inflating pressure in said cuff during flow through said lumen.

Claim 7

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more openings in said lumen within said cuff to admit lumen fluid into said cuff, and means restricting the flow of lumen fluid distally of said plug to create an inflating pressure in said cuff, said plug having a restricted axial by-pass passage from end to end to allow limited flow past said plug and within said cuff to the distal end of said lumen.

Claim 8

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more openings in said lumen within said cuff to admit lumen fluid into said cuff, and means restricting the flow of lumen fluid distally of said plug to create an inflating pressure in said cuff, said plug having a restricted axial by-pass passage from end to end to allow limited flow past said plug and within said cuff to the distal end of said lumen.

Claim 9

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more openings in said lumen within said cuff to admit lumen fluid into said cuff, and means restricting the flow of lumen fluid distally of said plug to create an inflating pressure in said cuff, said one or more openings from said lumen to said cuff resulting in a flushing flow through said cuff to prevent stagnation within said cuff, and an introducer shaft to be projected into said lumen with a distal end against said plug to assist in thrusting said catheter into a body vessel.

Claim 10

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more openings in said lumen within said cuff to admit lumen fluid into said cuff, and means restricting the flow of lumen fluid distally of said plug to create an inflating pressure in said cuff, said one or more openings from said lumen to said cuff resulting in a flushing flow through said cuff to prevent stagnation within said cuff, and an introducer shaft to be projected into said lumen with a distal end against said plug to assist in thrusting said catheter into a body vessel.

Claim 11

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more openings in said lumen within said cuff to admit lumen fluid into said cuff, and means restricting the flow of lumen fluid distally of said plug to create an inflating pressure in said cuff, (g) an introducer shaft projectible into said lumen having a distal end to contact said plug and apply endwise pressure to the distal end of said catheter to assist in thrusting said catheter into a body vessel, said introducer shaft having a blunt distal end and said plug having a recess in the proximal end to locate said blunt end of said introducer shaft as axial pressure is applied to the plug.

Claim 12

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more openings in said lumen within said cuff to admit lumen fluid into said cuff, and means restricting the flow of lumen fluid distally of said plug to create an inflating pressure in said cuff, (g) an introducer shaft projectible into said lumen having a distal end to contact said plug and apply endwise pressure to the distal end of said catheter to assist in thrusting said catheter into a body vessel, said introducer shaft having a blunt distal end and said plug having a recess in the proximal end to locate said blunt end of said introducer shaft as axial pressure is applied to the plug.

Claim 13

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more openings in said lumen within said cuff to admit lumen fluid into said cuff, and means restricting the flow of lumen fluid distally of said plug to create an inflating pressure in said cuff, (g) an introducer shaft projectible into said lumen having a distal end to contact said plug and apply endwise pressure to the distal end of said catheter to assist in thrusting said catheter into a body vessel, said catheter having a connector hub at a proximal end and said introducer shaft having a slip-lock hub at a proximal end to insert into said connector hub to be retained during insertion of said catheter.

Claim 14

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more openings in said lumen within said cuff to admit lumen fluid into said cuff, and means restricting the flow of lumen fluid distally of said plug to create an inflating pressure in said cuff, (g) an introducer shaft projectible into said lumen having a distal end to contact said plug and apply endwise pressure to the distal end of said catheter to assist in thrusting said catheter into a body vessel, said catheter having a connector hub at a proximal end and said introducer shaft having a slip-lock hub at a proximal end to insert into said connector hub to be retained during insertion of said catheter.

Claim 15

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more openings in said lumen within said cuff to admit lumen fluid into said cuff, and means restricting the flow of lumen fluid distally of said plug to create an inflating pressure in said cuff, said central lumen having a first opening at the distal end of said central lumen in the tip end of said catheter, and a side port formed in said distal end of said catheter distally of said cuff, said side port being in communication with said central lumen to allow flow to a vessel in the event the first opening is occluded.

Claim 16

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more openings in said lumen within said cuff to admit lumen fluid into said cuff, and means restricting the flow of lumen fluid distally of said plug to create an inflating pressure in said cuff, said central lumen having a first opening at the distal end of said central lumen in the tip end of said catheter, and a side port formed in said distal end of said catheter distally of said cuff, said side port being in communication with said central lumen to allow flow to a vessel in the event the first opening is occluded.

Claim 17

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more radial openings in said central lumen open to the interior of said cuff including one or more first openings on the proximal side of said plug, and one or more second openings on the distal end of said plug, said second openings having an effective area less than the effective area of the first openings to create a balloon inflating pressure during flow through said lumen on opposite ends of said plug, and a pressure monitoring lumen for connection to a pressure monitor parallelling the central lumen and having an open end at the distal end of said catheter and a port adjacent a second opening of said central lumen in the tip of said catheter to communicate with the interior of said cuff.

Claim 18

A perfusion catheter which is to be used for introduction into a body cavity comprising: (a) a proximal end for introduction of fluid, (b) a distal end for introduction into a body cavity, (c) a connecting tube between said proximal and distal ends comprised of a flexible material having a central lumen connecting said ends, (d) an inflatable cuff enclosing part of said tube adjacent the distal end of the catheter and sealed at each end on said tube, (e) a lumen plug in said central lumen positioned within that part of said tube enclosed by said cuff, (f) one or more radial openings in said central lumen open to the interior of said cuff including one or more first openings on the proximal side of said plug, and one or more second openings on the distal end of said plug, said second openings having an effective area less than the effective area of the first openings to create a balloon inflating pressure during flow through said lumen on opposite ends of said plug, and a pressure monitoring lumen for connection to a pressure monitor parallelling the central lumen and having an open end at the distal end of said catheter and a port adjacent a second opening of said central lumen in the tip of said catheter to communicate with the interior of said cuff.

Claim 19

A perfusion catheter as defined in claim 9 in which said pressure monitoring lumen is spliced into said connecting tube distally of said proximal end and a band encircles said connecting tube and said monitoring tube at the splice location.

Claim 20

A perfusion catheter as defined in claim 9 in which passage means located beyond the distal end of said lumen plug and within the distal end of said cuff communicates with said pressure monitoring lumen to monitor pressure in said cuff.

Claim 21

A perfusion catheter as defined in claim 9 in which a port at the distal end of said monitoring passage connects said passage with the interior diameter of the catheter body under said cuff to obtain monitoring of pressure within said cuff as well as within a body chamber into which the distal end of the catheter is inserted, in situations of tip occlusion and normal operation, respectively.