# US 8,540,661 B2 · Solid-body catheter including lateral distal openings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,661 B2 - Document ID: US8540661B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/657,604 - Filed: 2012-10-22 - Published: 2013-03-28 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2007-10-26 - Assignees: C. R. Bard, Inc. - Applicants: C. R. Bard, Inc. - Inventors: Colin S. Gregersen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540661B2 ## CPC - A61M 1/3661: {for haemodialysis} - A61M 1/3653: {Interfaces between patient blood circulation and extra-corporal blood circuit} - A61M 1/3659: {Cannulae pertaining to extracorporeal circulation} - A61M 25/0023: {by the form of the lumen, e.g. cross-section, variable diameter} - 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 25/0068: {Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure} - A61M 25/007: {Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked} - A61M 25/0074: {Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable} - 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 25/0071: {Multiple separate lumens (multiple separate lumens throughout the catheter A61M25/0026)} - 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 2025/0078: {for fluid inflow from the body into the catheter lumen} - 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 A split-tip catheter for placement within the vasculature of a patient and for use in hemodialysis or other suitable procedures is disclosed. In one embodiment, the split-tip catheter includes a catheter body that defines a first lumen and a second lumen. The catheter body further comprises a split distal region, including a venous segment and an arterial segment. The venous segment includes a recess extending proximally of a nose portion; and a lateral opening in fluid communication with the first lumen. The arterial segment also includes a lateral opening, is separate from the venous segment, and is removably seatable in the recess provided by the venous segment. In one embodiment, the distal region is un-split, but includes symmetrically opposed lateral openings, as well as distal openings, in communication with the first and second lumens for providing a functional stagger for blood flow in both forward and reverse catheter flow directions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A catheter including a first lumen, a second lumen, and a distal region, the distal region comprising: an atraumatic nose portion defining a first distal opening in fluid communication with the first lumen and a second distal opening in fluid communication with the second lumen, the second distal opening proximal of the first distal opening; a first lateral opening proximal of the second distal opening and in fluid communication with the first lumen, the first lateral opening defined by an angle cross-cut through an outer perimeter of a catheter body; and a second lateral opening in fluid communication with the second lumen, the second lateral opening defined by an angle cross-cut through an outer perimeter of a catheter body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the first and second lateral openings each define a predetermined first angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the catheter and a predetermined second angle with respect to a plane coincident with the longitudinal axis that is coplanar with a septum separating the first and second lumens. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The catheter according to claim 2, wherein the first and second angles are substantially the same for both the first and second lateral openings. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The catheter according to claim 2, wherein the first angle is in the range from about 20 degrees to about 90 degrees. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The catheter according to claim 4, wherein the first angle is about 35 degrees. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The catheter according to claim 2, wherein the second angle is in the range from about 15 degrees to about 45 degrees. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The catheter according to claim 6, wherein the second angle is about 25 degrees. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The catheter according to claim 1, wherein a cross sectional shape of at least one of the first lumen and the second lumen transitions at a transition region from a “D” shape to an oval shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The catheter according to claim 8, wherein the transition region is proximal of the first and second lateral openings. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the distal region is a unitary structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the first and second lateral openings are longitudinally staggered with respect to one another. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the second lateral opening is substantially un-staggered in a longitudinal direction with respect to the first lateral opening. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the nose portion is tapered, and wherein the first and second lateral openings are oppositely disposed on the catheter and are configured such that fluid exiting the catheter from the first lateral opening is imparted a flow direction that is substantially opposite in a radial direction and substantially similar in a longitudinal direction to fluid exiting the catheter from the second lateral opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the distal region further comprises a side hole in fluid communication with the second lumen located between the second distal opening and the second lateral opening.