Catheter with Variable Attachment Means

Abstract

The invention relates to a design for securing tubes, catheters, drains, or other tubular medical devices within the body of a mammal, for example a human, and methods of securing same. The invention includes a first tubular body and at least one second tubular body. The first tubular body includes an outer surface, an inner surface defining a lumen extending longitudinally at least partially through a length of the tubular body, a wall at least partially defined by the outer surface and the inner surface, and a longitudinal axis. The at least one second tubular body includes an outer surface, an inner surface defining a lumen extending longitudinally through the second tubular body, and a wall at least partially defined by the outer surface and the inner surface. The second tubular body is disposed through the wall of the first tubular body transversely to the longitudinal axis.

1 . A catheter comprising:
 a tubular body comprising:
 an outer surface; 
 an inner surface defining a lumen extending longitudinally at least partially through a length of the tubular body; 
 a wall at least partially defined by the outer surface and the inner surface; and 
 a longitudinal axis; and 
   at least one opening extending through the wall substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis, wherein the at least one opening is in fluidic isolation from the lumen.   
     
     
         2 . A catheter comprising:
 a first tubular body comprising:
 an outer surface; 
 an inner surface defining a lumen extending longitudinally at least partially through a length of the tubular body; 
 a wall at least partially defined by the outer surface and the inner surface; and 
 a longitudinal axis; and 
   at least one second tubular body comprising:
 an outer surface; 
 an inner surface defining a lumen extending longitudinally through the second tubular body; and 
 a wall at least partially defined by the outer surface and the inner surface, wherein the second tubular body is disposed through the wall of the first tubular body transversely to the longitudinal axis. 
   
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein an outer cross-sectional dimension of the second tubular body is less than a thickness of the wall of the first tubular body. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of second tubular bodies disposed through the wall of the first tubular body. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of second tubular bodies are evenly spaced along an overall length of the first tubular body. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 4 , wherein a portion of the plurality of second tubular bodies are more closely spaced together at an end of the first tubular body than a remaining portion of the plurality of second tubular bodies. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 4 , wherein a first portion of the plurality of second tubular bodies are radially disposed about a central longitudinal axis of the first tubular body from a second portion of the plurality of the second tubular bodies. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 7 , wherein the first portion of the second tubular bodies is radially disposed about 180 degrees from the second portion of the second tubular bodies. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein a cross-sectional dimension of the inner surface of the second tubular body comprises a diameter of about 0.1 mm to about 5.0 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the outer surface of the first tubular body and the inner surface of the first tubular body are eccentric. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the first tubular body comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicones, polyethylenes, nylons, polyesters and polyester elastomers. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the second tubular body comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, polyurethane, silicones, polyethylenes, nylons, polyesters and polyester elastomers. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the catheter comprises a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of circular, elliptical, polygonal, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the second tubular body is at least one of circular, elliptical, polygonal, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 2  further comprising a radio-opaque material disposed therein. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the first tubular body further comprises a second inner surface defining a second lumen extending longitudinally at least partially through the length of the tubular body. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 2  further comprising a series of markings disposed on the outer surface of the first tubular body. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter of  claim 2  further comprising a fastening mechanism for securing the catheter to a mammalian body. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter of  claim 18 , wherein the fastening mechanism comprises:
 a ring having an open configuration and a closed configuration, the ring adapted to pass through at least one of the second tubular bodies; and   a fastening strap for coupling the ring to the mammalian body.   
     
     
         20 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method of manufacturing a catheter comprising the steps of:
 extruding a first tubular body comprising an outer surface, an inner surface defining a lumen extending longitudinally at least partially through a length of the first tubular body, a wall at least partially defined by the outer surface and the inner surface; and   inserting a second tubular body through the wall of the first tubular body proximate the point of extrusion prior to the first tubular body hardening, the second tubular body inserted transversely to the direction of extrusion.   
     
     
         30 - 38 . (canceled)