Occlusion-resistant catheter

A multi-lumen catheter having a sidewall and one or more openings, the catheter adapted for minimized obstruction of the one or more openings by a lumen wall in which the catheter is positioned, wherein, in at least in a portion of the catheter coincident with the one or more openings, the catheter:

• (a) further comprises a twisting septum dividing an interior of the catheter into multiple lumens, the multiple lumens forming a multi-helix;
• (b) is spirally formed into a corkscrew pattern;
• (c) is formed into an inwardly spiraling portion having a periphery that defines an open area, the one or more openings positioned facing or within the open area;
• or (d) a combination of (a) and (b) or (a) and (c).

A multi-lumen catheter tip having a sidewall and one or more openings, the catheter tip adapted for minimized obstruction of the one or more openings by a lumen wall in which the catheter tip is positioned, wherein the catheter tip:

• (a) further comprises a twisting septum dividing an interior of the catheter tip into multiple lumens, the multiple lumens forming a multi-helix;
• (b) is spirally formed into a corkscrew pattern;
• (c) is formed into an inwardly spiraling portion having a periphery that defines an open area, the one or more openings positioned facing or within the open area;
• or
• (d) a combination of (a) and (b) or (a) and (c).

A method of making a multi-lumen catheter having a body and a catheter tip, the catheter tip comprising a sidewall and one of:

• a twisting septum dividing an interior of the catheter tip into multiple lumens in a multi-helix, being spirally formed into a corkscrew pattern, or a combination thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) forming the multi-lumen catheter body;
• (b) molding the catheter tip into the multi-helix, the corkscrew pattern, or both;
• and
• (c) attaching the catheter body to the catheter tip.

A method of making a multi-lumen catheter having a body and a catheter tip, the catheter tip comprising a sidewall and one of:

• a twisting septum dividing an interior of the catheter tip into multiple lumens in a multi-helix, being spirally formed into a corkscrew pattern or an inwardly spiraling portion, or a combination thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) forming the multi-lumen catheter;
• (b) heating at least the catheter tip to a sufficient temperature at which the catheter tip can be deformed;
• (c) deforming the catheter tip into the multi-helix, the corkscrew pattern, the inwardly spiraling portion, or a combination thereof;
• and
• (d) cooling the catheter tip.

A method of providing hemodialysis, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) introducing a multi-lumen catheter into a body lumen having a wall, the catheter comprising a body and a catheter tip and defining at least a first lumen and a second lumen, wherein the catheter tip comprises a sidewall and either:
• further comprises a twisting septum dividing an interior of the catheter tip into at least the first lumen and the second lumen in a multiple-helix;
• is spirally formed into a corkscrew pattern or an inwardly spiraling pattern;
• or a combination thereof;
• (b) drawing blood from the body lumen through one or more openings into the first catheter lumen, wherein the multiple-helix, corkscrew pattern, inwardly spiraling pattern, or combination thereof minimizes occlusion of the one or more openings by the body lumen wall;
• (c) cleansing the blood by hemodialysis;
• and
• (d) returning the blood through the second catheter lumen into the body lumen.