Triple lumen catheter

An elongate catheter having distal and proximal ends and a central axis, the catheter comprising:

• a flexible elongate body extending about a longitudinal axis;
• a tapered tip at said distal end, the body defining first, second and third lumens extending from the proximal end to respective first, second and third apertures said first and second lumens having similar shapes in cross-section and terminating in at respective said first and second side apertures and the third lumen extending centrally along said axis between the first and second lumens along the length of the body and ending at said third aperture at said distal end, the third lumen being smaller in cross-section then the other two lumens and proportioned to slidably receive a guide wire for insertion.

A catheter for use with a guide wire for percutaneous insertion, the catheter comprising:

• a smooth elongate body having a central lumen proportioned to receive a selected guide wire and a plurality of other larger lumens contained within the body about the central lumen;
• and
• the body defining a tapered tip at the distal end of the body, the tip terminating at the end of the central lumen and the other lumens terminating short of the end of the central lumen, and the body defining side openings providing communication with the other lumens and access means at the proximal end coupled to the body for communicating with the lumens.

A catheter as claimed in claim 35 in which the tip is formed adjacent the distal end from a soft material to minimize the possibility of damage to the vein during periods of residence in the vein.