# US 8,323,227 B2 · Tip configurations for a multi-lumen catheter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,323,227 B2 - Document ID: US8323227B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/884,291 - Filed: 2004-07-02 - Published: 2006-01-05 - Granted: 2012-12-04 - Earliest claimed: 2004-07-02 - Assignees: C. R. Bard, Inc. - Inventors: Bret Hamatake; Jason R. Stats; Amir Orome; Joseph H. Barrett; Dallen Glen Herzog - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8323227B2 ## CPC - A61M 25/003: {characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the distal part of the catheter, e.g. filters, plugs or valves (catheter tips A61M25/0067)} - A61M 1/16: with membranes - A61M 1/3653: {Interfaces between patient blood circulation and extra-corporal blood circuit} - A61M 1/3656: {Monitoring patency or flow at connection sites; Detecting disconnections} - A61M 1/3659: {Cannulae pertaining to extracorporeal circulation} - A61M 1/3661: {for haemodialysis} - A61M 5/1408: {in parallel, e.g. by manifolds or with sequencing valves} - A61M 25/0026: {Multi-lumen catheters with stationary elements (catheter assemblies comprising a catheter in combination with a guide tube, sheath or sleeve A61M2025/0681; catheters comprising telescoping coaxial elements A61M2025/0175)} - A61M 25/0032: {characterized by at least one unconventionally shaped lumen, e.g. polygons, ellipsoids, wedges or shapes comprising concave and convex parts} - A61M 25/0068: {Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure} - A61M 39/02: Access sites - A61M 39/105: {Multi-channel connectors or couplings, e.g. for connecting multi-lumen tubes (multi-channel connectors in general F16L37/56)} - A61M 25/007: {Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked} - A61M 2025/0031: {characterized by lumina for withdrawing or delivering, i.e. used for extracorporeal circuit treatment} - A61M 2025/0036: {with more than four lumina} - A61M 2025/0073: {Tip designed for influencing the flow or the flow velocity of the fluid, e.g. inserts for twisted or vortex flow} - A61M 2202/0021: removed from and reintroduced into the body, e.g. after treatment - A61M 2202/0413: Blood - 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 Multi-lumen catheters with improved tip configurations, including a triple-lumen catheter which may be useful for apheresis. In one variation, the catheter has three lumens with distal openings angularly spaced apart and staggered axially with respect to one another. In another variation, the catheter has two lumens exiting distally and one centrally positioned lumen exiting proximally. A third variation is a catheter with a single distal opening and two proximal openings. The staggered lumen openings along the axial length of the catheter may decrease recirculation while maximizing flow rates. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-lumen catheter for insertion into a mammalian body, comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter body including an outer wall enclosing at least a first, second and third lumen, the first and second lumens sharing a first wall, the first and third lumens sharing a second wall, the first and second walls meeting at a central axis of the elongated catheter body to form an angle of approximately 120 degrees from the perspective of the first lumen, the second and third lumens in fluid communication, respectively, with second and third distal openings positioned side by side at approximately the same location at a distal portion of the catheter body, a first distal opening in fluid communication with the first lumen positioned distally of the second and third lumen distal openings, the first lumen transitioning from a first cross-sectional area to a second cross-sectional area larger than the first cross-sectional area distally of the second and third distal openings. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein each of the first, second and third lumens has an approximately equivalent cross-sectional area at a proximal portion of the catheter body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein the first lumen transitions to a substantially circular cross-sectional shape distally of the second and third distal openings. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein said first lumen is in fluid communication with a side opening exiting through said outer wall of said catheter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 4, wherein said second lumen is in fluid communication with a side opening exiting through said outer wall of said catheter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 5, wherein said third lumen is in fluid communication with a side opening exiting through said outer wall of said catheter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein said second lumen is in fluid communication with a side opening exiting through said outer wall of said catheter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein the distance along the length of said catheter between the first distal opening and the second and third distal openings is in the range of approximately 1 cm and approximately 5 cm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein the distance along the length of said catheter between the first distal opening and the second and third distal openings is in the range of approximately 2 cm and approximately 3 cm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, wherein the distance along the length of said catheter between the first distal opening and the second and third distal openings is approximately 2.5 cm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a trifurcation connected to the proximal end of the catheter body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 11, further comprising three tubings connected to said trifurcation, wherein each of said tubings is in independent fluid communication with one of the first, second and third lumens. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 1, further comprising an access port having a plurality of fluid cavities, wherein each of said plurality of fluid cavities is in independent fluid communication with one of said plurality of lumens in said catheter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The multi-lumen catheter according to claim 13, wherein the access port comprises three fluid cavities, each of said fluid cavities in independent fluid communication with one of the first, second and third lumens. ### Claim 15 A triple lumen catheter, comprising: three, and only three, interior walls separating first, second and third lumens, a first interior wall between the first and second lumens meeting a second interior wall between the first and third lumens to form an angle of approximately 120 degrees, the second and third lumens terminating distally at a common location proximal to a distal end of the first lumen, the first lumen transitioning from a first cross-sectional area to a second cross-sectional area larger than the first cross-sectional area distally of the common location. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The triple lumen catheter according to claim 15, wherein the cross-sectional areas of the first, second and third lumens are substantially equivalent from a proximal end of the catheter to the common location. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The triple lumen catheter according to claim 16, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the first lumen transitions from a non-circular shape to a circular shape distally of the common location. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The triple lumen catheter according to claim 15, wherein the first and second interior walls meet at a central axis of the catheter.