Dialysis Catheter

Abstract

A dialysis catheter comprising a catheter body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first longitudinally extending central lumen configured to deliver blood, and at least three longitudinally extending lumens positioned radially of the central lumen and configured to withdraw blood from a patient. At least one blood delivery opening is formed in the distal portion of the catheter body and in fluid communication with the first lumen and configured for passage of blood therethrough. At least three blood withdrawal openings are formed in the outer wall of the catheter body, wherein each of the openings is in fluid communication with one of the at least three lumens and is configured for passage of blood from a patient

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A system for placement of a catheter comprising:
 a) a catheter having a first lumen configured for blood delivery to a patient and having a first opening communicating with the first lumen, second and third independent lumens configured for blood withdrawal from the patient and a second opening communicating with the second lumen and a third opening communicating with the third lumen, the second and third openings positioned proximal of the first opening, at least a portion of the catheter having an outer diameter configured for insertion through a subcutaneous tissue tunnel, the catheter configured to receive a guidewire therethrough having a length with a distal end adapted and configured to extend into a right atrium, the catheter having a reduced diameter distal region; and   b) a stiffening member received in the catheter such that the catheter with the stiffening member positioned therein is inserted into the patient, at least a portion of the stiffening member configured to pass through the subcutaneous tissue tunnel, the stiffening member having a proximal end opening and a distal end opening, the stiffening member received in the first lumen of the catheter and attached to the catheter at an attachment region such that the catheter with the stiffening member positioned therein is inserted into the patient, at least a portion of the stiffening member configured to pass through the subcutaneous tissue tunnel to extend for a distance under the skin, and a lumen extending along a length of the stiffener from the proximal end opening to the distal end opening and dimensioned to receive a the guidewire therein such that the catheter receives the guidewire as the guidewire extends through the stiffening member received in the catheter; and   c) a trocar having a distal tip and connecting structure at a proximal end, the connecting structure removably connectable to the distal end of the catheter, the trocar being removable from the catheter prior to positioning of the stiffening member in the catheter.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the second and third lumens are arcuate in cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the first lumen is circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the first lumen is circular in cross section. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the second and third openings are longitudinally extending openings. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the stiffening member has a proximal threaded portion. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the stiffening member has a tapered distal end. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the connecting structure includes a barbed end. 
     
     
         39 . A system for placement of a catheter comprising:
 a) a catheter having a first lumen configured for blood delivery to a patient and having a first opening communicating with the first lumen, a second independent lumen configured for blood withdrawal from the patient and having a second opening communicating with the second lumen, the second opening positioned proximal of the first opening, and a spacer positioned between the first and second openings and forming a raised surface between the first and second openings and extending from an outer surface of the catheter to contact a wall of a vessel lumen, wherein a transverse dimension of the catheter at the region of the spacer exceeds a transverse dimension of the catheter at the region at the first opening, at least a portion of the catheter having an outer diameter configured for insertion through a subcutaneous tissue tunnel, the catheter configured to receive a guidewire having a length with a distal end adapted and configured to extend into a right atrium and a proximal end which passes through the subcutaneous tissue tunnel, the catheter having a reduced diameter distal end; and   b) a stiffening member received in the catheter such that the catheter with the stiffening member positioned therein is inserted into the patient, the stiffening member having a proximal end opening adjacent a region of attachment of the stiffener to the catheter and a distal end opening, the stiffening member received in the first lumen of the catheter and removably attached to the catheter at the attachment region such that the catheter with the stiffening member positioned therein is inserted into the patient, at least a portion of the stiffening member configured to pass through the subcutaneous tissue tunnel to extend for the distance under the skin, and a lumen extending along a length of the stiffener from the proximal end opening to the distal end opening and dimensioned to receive a guidewire therein.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the stiffening member has a proximal threaded portion. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the spacer comprises a plurality of wires, the wires being moved to a substantially straightened position by the stiffening member. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the spacer comprises a plurality of integral ribs, the integral ribs being moved to a substantially straightened position by the stiffening member. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the spacer is movable from a bowed position to a more straightened position and the stiffening member causes the spacer to move from the bowed position to the more straightened position. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the second lumen has an arcuate cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the first lumen is circular in cross section. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the second opening is an elongated longitudinally extending opening. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the second lumen has an arcuate cross-section.