Importance

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Abstract

A valved catheter is disclosed having an elongated, flexible tubular element defining a lumen extending along an axis substantially parallel to the central axis of the tubular element, and a bidirectional check valve assembly near its distal end which controls fluid flow in the tubular element. The valve assembly includes an aspiration valve offset from the tip of the distal end and an infusion valve formed at the tip of the distal end. The aspiration valve is generally defined by port(s) in the tubular element and a sleeve within the element underlying the ports, where the sleeve normally closes the ports. The aspiration valve permits fluid flow from the bloodstream into the element when the static fluid pressure inside the distal end is lower than the static fluid pressure outside the aspiration valve by an amount sufficient to displace the sleeve to allow fluid flow through the ports. The infusion valve includes a throat formed in the distal end which tapers down to a mouth formed by jaws at the tip. The mouth is essentially closed to fluid inflow from the patient into the tubular element and normally closed to fluid outflow from the tubular element into the patient. The infusion valve permits fluid infusion into the bloodstream when the static fluid pressure inside of the tubular element sidtal end is higher than the static fluid pressure outside of the infusion valve by an amount sufficient to force the mouth open. A bidirectionally valved multiple lumen catheter is also disclosed.

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First Claim