Apparatus for the preparation and delivery of gas-enriched fluids
AssigneeTherOx, Inc.
InventorsVincent Divino, Jr., Seth A. Foerster, James M. Gessert, Robert A. Mest, Paul J. Zalesky
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gas-enriched fluid is provided by the combination of a first fluid, such as a patient's blood, with a second gas-supersaturated fluid, such as an oxygen supersaturated fluid. In this example, a catheter assembly includes a portion that receives the patient's blood from a pump and that receives the oxygen supersaturated fluid from an appropriate fluid source. The oxygen supersaturated fluid is advantageously combined with the blood in an area of laminar flow, and then this gas-enriched fluid is delivered to the patient through an appropriate lumen coupled to the portion of the catheter assembly.
Claims40
A catheter comprising:
- a first elongated generally tubular member including proximal and distal ends, the first member including a lumen comprising a continuous fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends;
- and
- a plurality of side members, each side member comprising a channel including proximal and distal ends, the side members coupled to the first member, each side member including a lumen comprising a continuous fluid pathway between the proximal ends of the side members and the fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends of the first member.
An apparatus for the delivery of a gas-enriched fluid to a site, the apparatus comprising:
- a catheter formed to prepare a gas-enriched fluid for intravascular delivery, the catheter comprising:
- a first assembly comprising an elongated generally tubular member including proximal and distal ends and a lumen comprising a continuous fluid flow path between the proximal and distal ends, the proximal end adapted to receive a supply of a first fluid extravascularly and the distal end adapted to be disposed intravascularly proximate to the site to which the gas-enriched fluid is to be delivered;
- and
- a second assembly comprising at least one elongated generally tubular member including first and second ends and at least one lumen comprising a continuous fluid flow path between the first and second ends, the second end disposed within the proximal end of the lumen of the first assembly, the first end adapted to be coupled extravascularly to a supply of a gas-supersaturated fluid, such that the gas-supersaturated fluid exits the second end of the at least one lumen of the second assembly and mixes with the first fluid in the proximal end of the lumen of the first assembly to form the gas-enriched fluid.
An apparatus for increasing oxygen levels in blood, the apparatus comprising:
- means for providing a supply of blood extravascularly;
- means for providing a supply of a second fluid comprising a gas-supersaturated fluid extravascularly;
- and
- a catheter assembly formed to make oxygen-enriched blood for intravascular delivery, the catheter assembly including first and second lumens, the first lumen in fluid communication with the blood supply means, the second lumen in fluid communication with the second fluid supply means and with the first lumen.
A device for combining a first fluid with a second gas-supersaturated fluid, the device comprising:
- a housing having therein a first fluid passageway having a first end and a second end and a second fluid passageway having a first end and a second end, the second end of the second fluid passageway intersecting the first fluid passageway at a junction between the first and second ends of the first fluid passageway, the first end of the first fluid passageway being adapted to receive a first line for supplying the second gas-supersaturated fluid, and the first end of the second fluid passageway being adapted to receive a supply of the first fluid, the first line having an outlet positioned in a substantially laminar flow region of the first fluid passageway.
A catheter comprising:
- a housing having a first fluid passageway and a second fluid passageway, the first fluid passageway extending through the housing, the second fluid passageway angularly intersecting the first fluid passageway;
- a first elongated generally tubular member being disposed within the first fluid passageway and forming a termination therein;
- a second elongated generally tubular member having a first end disposed within the first fluid passageway and having a second end extending from the first fluid passageway, the second end being sized for intravascular placement;
- and
- a fluid mixing region in the first fluid passageway proximate the termination of the first member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.