Multi-lumen ventricular drainage catheter

Abstract

A shunt includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a flow control mechanism disposed within the housing. A ventricular catheter is connected to the inlet of the housing. The catheter has a longitudinal length, a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen extending therethrough. The inner lumen of the catheter includes at least two lumens at the distal end and has only one lumen at the proximal end. The catheter has one slit and aperture corresponding to each of the at least two lumens located at the distal end of the catheter.

1 . A shunt comprising:
 a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a flow control mechanism disposed therein;   a catheter connected to the inlet of the housing, the catheter having a longitudinal length, a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen extending therethrough, the inner lumen of the catheter being comprised of at least two lumens at the distal end and being comprised of only one lumen at the proximal end, the catheter having an aperture adjacent to the distal end corresponding to each of the at least two lumens.   
     
     
         2 . The shunt according to  claim 1 , wherein each aperture has an enlarged opening at the distal end and transitions from the enlarged opening to a tapering slit at the proximal end of the aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The shunt according to  claim 2 , wherein a portion of each aperture between the enlarged opening and the tapering slit is a slit of constant thickness. 
     
     
         4 . The shunt according to  claim 3 , wherein the enlarged opening of each aperture has a smooth concave inner surface. 
     
     
         5 . The shunt according to  claim 1 , wherein the enlarged opening of each aperture has a smooth concave inner surface. 
     
     
         6 . The shunt according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner lumen of the catheter being comprised of at least three lumens at the distal end. 
     
     
         7 . The shunt according to  claim 6 , wherein the inner lumen of the catheter being comprised of at least four lumens at the distal end. 
     
     
         8 . The shunt according to  claim 1 , wherein the catheter has only one aperture adjacent to the distal end corresponding to each of the at least two lumens. 
     
     
         9 . A shunt comprising:
 a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a flow control mechanism disposed therein;   a catheter connected to the inlet of the housing, the catheter having a longitudinal length, a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen extending therethrough, the inner lumen of the catheter having an aperture that has an enlarged opening at the distal end and transitions from the enlarged opening to a tapering slit at the proximal end of the aperture.   
     
     
         10 . The shunt according to  claim 9 , wherein a portion of each aperture between the enlarged opening and the tapering slit is a slit of constant thickness. 
     
     
         11 . The shunt according to  claim 9 , wherein the enlarged opening of each aperture has a smooth concave inner surface. 
     
     
         12 . The shunt according to  claim 9 , wherein the enlarged opening of each aperture has a smooth concave inner surface. 
     
     
         13 . The shunt according to  claim 9 , wherein the inner lumen of the catheter being comprised of at least three lumens at the distal end. 
     
     
         14 . The shunt according to  claim 13 , wherein the inner lumen of the catheter being comprised of at least four lumens at the distal end. 
     
     
         15 . The shunt according to  claim 9 , wherein catheter has only one aperture adjacent to the distal end thereof 
     
     
         16 . The shunt according to  claim 9 , wherein catheter has at least two apertures adjacent to the distal end thereof 
     
     
         17 . A ventricular catheter comprising:
 the ventricular catheter having a longitudinal length, a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen extending therethrough, the inner lumen of the catheter being comprised of at least two lumens at the distal end and being comprised of only one lumen at the proximal end, the catheter having only one aperture adjacent to the distal end corresponding to each of the at least two lumens.   
     
     
         18 . The ventricular catheter according to  claim 17 , wherein each aperture has an enlarged opening at the distal end and transitions from the enlarged opening to a tapering slit at the proximal end of the aperture. 
     
     
         19 . The ventricular catheter according to  claim 18 , wherein a portion of each aperture between the enlarged opening and the tapering slit is a slit of constant thickness. 
     
     
         20 . The ventricular catheter according to  claim 17 , wherein the enlarged opening of each aperture has a smooth concave inner surface. 
     
     
         21 . The ventricular catheter according to  claim 17 , wherein the enlarged opening of each aperture has a smooth concave inner surface. 
     
     
         22 . The ventricular catheter according to  claim 17 , wherein the inner lumen of the catheter being comprised of at least three lumens at the distal end. 
     
     
         23 . The ventricular catheter according to  claim 22 , wherein the inner lumen of the catheter being comprised of at least four lumens at the distal end. 
     
     
         24 . A ventricular catheter comprising:
 the ventricular catheter having a longitudinal length, a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen extending therethrough, the catheter having an aperture that has an enlarged opening at the distal end and transitions from the enlarged opening to a tapering slit at the proximal end of the aperture.   
     
     
         25 . The ventricular catheter according to  claim 24 , wherein a portion of each aperture between the enlarged opening and the tapering slit is a slit of constant thickness. 
     
     
         26 . The ventricular catheter according to  claim 24 , wherein the enlarged opening of each aperture has a smooth concave inner surface. 
     
     
         27 . The ventricular catheter according to  claim 24 , wherein the enlarged opening of each aperture has a smooth concave inner surface. 
     
     
         28 . The ventricular catheter according to  claim 24 , wherein the inner lumen of the catheter being comprised of at least three lumens at the distal end. 
     
     
         29 . The ventricular catheter according to  claim 29 , wherein the inner lumen of the catheter being comprised of at least four lumens at the distal end.