# US 7,410,602 B2 · High flow rate dialysis catheters and related methods

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- Number: US 7,410,602 B2
- Document ID: US7410602B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/420,277
- Filed: 2003-04-22
- Published: 2003-10-30
- Granted: 2008-08-12
- Earliest claimed: 1998-02-24
- Assignees: Namic/VA, Inc.
- Inventors: Christopher T. Davey; Michael R. Sansoucy; Matthew N. McCarthy
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7410602B2

## CPC

- A61M 1/30: Single needle dialysis {; Reciprocating systems, alternately withdrawing blood from and returning it to the patient, e.g. single-lumen-needle dialysis or single needle systems for hemofiltration or pheresis}
- A61M 25/0021: {characterised by the form of the tubing (A61M25/0054 takes precedence)}
- A61M 25/0029: {characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the middle part of the catheter, e.g. slots, flaps, valves, cuffs, apertures, notches, grooves or rapid exchange ports (catheter shaft surface irregularities A61M2025/006)}
- A61M 25/0009: {Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes}
- A61M 2025/0031: {characterized by lumina for withdrawing or delivering, i.e. used for extracorporeal circuit treatment}
- A61M 2025/0037: {characterized by lumina being arranged side-by-side}
- A61M 2025/0293: {Catheter, guide wire or the like with means for holding, centering, anchoring or frictionally engaging the device within an artificial lumen, e.g. tube}
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of making a catheter comprising:
extruding a generally elongated conduit wherein the conduit is formed by being pushed through a die at an extrusion rate while being pulled from the die at a pulling rate,
after the method is completed, the catheter comprising an end product in which the conduit includes an outer wall, the conduit defining at least two lumens, the conduit being formed so that a thickness of the outer wall smoothly increases from a first end to a second end of a transition zone of the conduit and so that a cross-sectional area of each of two of the at least two lumens increases from the first end to the second end of the transition zone, wherein an internal divider is formed so that a thickness of the internal divider increases from the first end to the second end of the transition zone of the conduit.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein during at least a portion of a time during which the extrusion is occurring, the extrusion rate is the same as the pulling rate.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein during at least a portion of a time during which the extrusion is occurring, the extrusion rate is different than the pulling rate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 wherein the extrusion rate is different from the pulling rate during the entire time during which the extrusion is occurring.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising cooling the conduit as it is pulled from the die.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising applying a pressurized gas to the material being extruded to form at least one of the at least two lumens.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein an end of the conduit comprises an opening in communication with at least one of the at least two lumens.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the pulling and extrusion rates are controlled relative to one another to achieve a desired tapering in wall thickness and lumen size.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the pulling and extrusion rates are controlled relative to one another to form a first cylindrical section of the conduit extending from a first point to a second point, a frusto-conical section of the conduit extending from the second point to a third point, and a second cylindrical section of the conduit extending from the third point to a fourth point.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9 wherein the frusto-conical section comprises a smaller cross-sectional area at the third point than at the second point.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9 wherein the thickness of the outer wall increases from the third point to the second point.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9 wherein a cross-sectional area of at least one of the at least two lumens increases from the third point to the second point.