Abstract:
Catheter adapters and vascular access device including catheter adapters are discloses. The catheter adapter tip opening (34) has an internal curvature defining a tapered region in the lower portion, but not the upper portion, to support a flexured portion of the catheter to prevent kinking and occlusion.
Abstract:
A splittable sheath includes a splittable sheath body, a splittable sheath hub, and a valve element. The sheath body comprises a generally flexible tubular structure, a proximal end, and a distal end. The sheath body defines a longitudinal axis and is splittable into two halves along a pre-determined line generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The sheath hub extends from the proximal end of the sheath body and defines a longitudinal axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the sheath body. The sheath body and sheath hub form an inner cavity along their respective longitudinal axes. The valve element includes a resilient plate and a sealing element. The resilient plate includes a distal portion extending radially inwardly from a side of the inner cavity.
Abstract:
A catheter may include a multiple lumen catheter tube, a hub attached to the catheter tube, and a first extension leg and a second extension leg attached to the hub. The multiple lumen catheter tube may include a longitudinal axis, an end, a first lumen, and a second lumen. The first lumen and the second lumen extend through the catheter tube along the longitudinal axis and each having an opening. The end of the catheter tube and the openings of the lumen may be disposed within the hub so that the opening of the first lumen is axially spaced with the end of the catheter tube. The first extension leg may be coupled to the first lumen and the second extension leg may be coupled to the second lumen for the separate delivery of fluids to the lumens.
Abstract:
A balloon catheter for use with an endoscope may have a flexible shaft extending between a proximal and distal end, with a hub affixed to the proximal end, and a balloon that is longitudinally asymmetrical. A balloon may have a central or cylindrical working portion, flanked by proximal and distal tapering portions, which are in turn flanked by proximal and distal balloon legs, which are affixed to the catheter shaft. In more specific detail, a longitudinally asymmetrical balloon may have proximal and distal tapering portions that have a relatively steep and a relatively shallow tapering angle, respectively. An optional additional feature of such a balloon catheter is that the catheter shaft may have a high pull strength and low longitudinal elongation, by including some type of reinforcement.
Abstract:
A diagnostic catheter (10) comprises a tubular body (12) having an inner layer (28) of 100 percent polyamide over which is a braided metal wire sleeve (30) and an outer layer (32) formed as a blend of either the polyamide and PEBA along with a suitable radiopaque filler or, alternatively, a blend of PEBA having different durometers. Affixed either directly to the end of the above tubular body (12) or to a stem member (34) secured to that tubular body (12) is a soft-tip (40) formed from a blend of PEBA whose hardness is such that the catheter (10) can be considered as having an atraumatic tip. The resulting catheter (10) exhibits excellent torque and column strength characteristics while providing a relatively large diameter lumen for a given outside diameter.
Abstract:
An endoscopic multiple sample bioptome (10) includes a hollow outer member (16) and an axially displaceable inner member (18) extending therethrough. The proximal ends of the outer and inner members are coupled to an actuator (24) for axially displacing one relative to the other. The distal end of the outer member (16) is coupled to one of a cylinder (40) having a sharp distal edge (42) and a jaw assembly (44), while the distal end of the inner member (18) is coupled to the other. The jaw assembly includes a pair of opposed, preferably toothed jaw cups (46a and 46b) each of which is coupled by a resilient arm (50a and 50b) to a base member (52).
Abstract:
An intermittent catheter assembly (20) and kit (48) comprising an elongated introducer element (22) formed of a flexible material adapted for insertion into a urethra during a catheterization procedure having at least one slit (24) extending longitudinally along a substantial portion of its length, an applicator (26) having an opening, and a sheath (30) having a first end (30a) that is secured to the applicator about the opening and a second end (30b) defining a discharge opening (32) which is inverted relative to the first end of the sheath to define inner and outer sleeve portions. The inner sleeve portion defines a flow path for urine through the discharge opening and extends through the slit of the introducer element to separate an inner surface of the introducer element from the urine flow path so the introducer element is never exposed to urine during a catheterization procedure.
Abstract:
Medical devices, catheter hubs, and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter shaft (304) having a proximal end (306), a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. A hub include a hub body (404) and a rotatable tip member (403) that rotatable with respect to the hub body. A distal end of the rotatable tip member may be coupled to the proximal end of the catheter shaft. The rotatable tip member may be configured to transmit torque applied to the rotatable tip member to the catheter shaft.