Multilumen catheter for minimizing limb ischemia

Abstract

A multilumen catheter that maximizes the blood flow into and out of the patient's vasculature while also providing for passive and/or active perfusion of tissue downstream of where the catheter resides in the vasculature. The inventive catheter comprises a proximal end, a first distal and a second distal end. Lumens extending from the proximal end to each of these distal ends provide for blood circulation within one or between two blood vessels. At least one aperture in one of the lumens positioned near the proximal end provides for active perfusion of blood to the patient's vasculature downstream of where the aperture resides in the vasculature when the catheter is inserted into the patient for treatment. The inventive catheter may comprise a third lumen positioned entirely within the patient's vasculature, providing passive perfusion of blood to the patient's vasculature downstream of where the third lumen resides in the vasculature when the catheter is inserted into the patient for treatment.

1 . A multilumen catheter for directing the flow of blood through a patient through a single cannulation site, said catheter comprising: 
 a catheter having a proximal end, a first distal end and a second distal end, said first distal end extending distally further from the proximal end than the second distal end;    a first lumen extending between said first distal end and said proximal end, wherein in use said first lumen is curved at said first distal end such that blood exiting the lumen is directed back along the multilumen catheter; and    a second lumen extending between said second distal end and said proximal end.    
   
   
       2 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 1  further comprising means for maintaining or enhancing perfusion to the patient's vasculature and to minimize ischemia downstream of a point of entry of said catheter into a blood vessel when said catheter is inserted into the patient.  
   
   
       3 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the means for maintaining or enhancing perfusion comprises an active perfusion means.  
   
   
       4 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the active perfusion means comprises an aperture.  
   
   
       5 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the active perfusion means is at least one aperture in one of said lumens positioned near the proximal end.  
   
   
       6 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the means for maintaining or enhancing perfusion comprises a passive perfusion means.  
   
   
       7 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the passive perfusion means is a third lumen having a distal and a proximal end configured to be positioned entirely within the patient's vascular system.  
   
   
       8 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising a Y-connector positioned at the proximal end, wherein a first leg of the Y-connector is in fluid communication with said first lumen and a second leg of the Y-connector is in fluid communication with said second lumen.  
   
   
       9 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising an outflow conduit fluidly engaged to one lumen and an inflow conduit fluidly engaged to the other lumen, said inflow and outflow conduits fluidly coupled to a pump so that when connected to a patient, said pump circulates blood from one distal end of said multilumen catheter to the other distal end and also through at least one aperture.  
   
   
       10 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the first distal end is tapered.  
   
   
       11 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the second distal end is tapered.  
   
   
       12 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 1 , wherein one of said distal ends comprises at least one distal aperture.  
   
   
       13 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said first distal end comprises a J-tip comprising a bend.  
   
   
       14 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 13  wherein said J-tip comprises an aperture positioned at the distal-most portion of the bend.  
   
   
       15 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising a radiopaque marker, wherein the radiopaque marker can be used to position the catheter when the catheter is applied to a patient.  
   
   
       16 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising an indicator near the proximal end, wherein the indicator can be used to position the catheter when the catheter is applied to a patient.  
   
   
       17 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end has two ports.  
   
   
       18 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter is adapted for insertion in a patient with the catheter having a continuous periphery at the skin exit site of the patient.  
   
   
       19 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said first lumen is curved at said first distal end after the catheter is inserted into the patient.  
   
   
       20 . The multilumen catheter of  claim 1  wherein said first lumen is curved at said first distal end before the catheter is inserted into the patient.