Manufacture of Split Tip Catheters

Abstract

Multi-lumen catheter devices having at least one split-tipped end are disclosed, together with methods of forming such split tip catheters. In one aspect of the invention, the manufacturing methods can include the steps of: providing a catheter body having at least a first and a second internal lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter body; removing a distal portion of the catheter body to form a first distal tip segment such that the first lumen extends longitudinally within this tip segment beyond the second lumen; and joining a second lumen tip segment to the catheter body in communication with the second lumen. The second tip segment can be joined to the catheter body such that it is at least partially separated from the first tip segment and, in some embodiments, preferably diverges at an angle relative to the first tip segment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A split tip catheter device, comprising:
 a catheter body;   a first distal tip segment having an inner pathway extending longitudinally through a first lumen of the catheter body;   a second distal tip segment having a fluid pathway from a second lumen of the catheter body and extending longitudinally through the second tip segment, the second distal tip segment separated from the first distal tip segment; and   a bioresorbable adhesive that secures the first and second tip segments together.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the bioresorbable adhesive surrounds the first and second distal tip segments forming a continuous outer perimeter. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first distal tip segment is integral with the catheter body, and the second distal tip segment is joined to the catheter body. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first distal tip segment is formed from a material different from a material forming the second distal tip segment. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein one of the first and second distal tip segments is formed of a more flexible material. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second distal tip segments are separate but substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second distal tip segments are separate and diverge from each other at a distal end of the catheter body. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second distal tip segments is curved or exhibits a compound angle. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second distal tip segments has a D-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first lumen has a cross-sectional area or shape different from a cross-sectional area or shape of the second lumen. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fluid passage hole in a side of at least one of the first and second distal tip segments. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the bioresorbable adhesive is water soluble such that an introduction of a solution through the at least one fluid passage hole will separate the first and second distal tip segments. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a coating on at least a portion of the first and second distal tip segments. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the bioresorbable adhesive is applied on facing surfaces of the first and second distal tip segments along a longitudinal length less than the entire length of the first and second lumen distal tip segments. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a split tip catheter, comprising:
 providing a catheter body with a first distal tip segment having an inner pathway extending longitudinally through a first lumen of the catheter body and a second distal tip segment having a fluid pathway from a second lumen of the catheter body and extending longitudinally through the second tip segment,   separating the second distal tip segment from the first distal tip segment;   securing the second distal tip segment to the first distal tip segment with a bioresorbable adhesive; and   dissolving the bioresorbable adhesive to separate the first distal tip segment from the second distal tip segment.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising applying bioresorbable adhesive to facing surfaces of the first and second distal tip segments at discrete locations. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the bioresorbable adhesive dissolves in a period range from one minute to one hour. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein dissolving the bioresorbable adhesive is achieved through introduction of a solution through the catheter. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the bioresorbable adhesive is water soluble and the solution is saline. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the bioresorbable adhesive will not dissolve until a time after the introduction of the solution.