Adjustable-length dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter and a method for its use

Abstract

The present adjustable-length dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter can eliminate the need to stock various lengths of hemodialysis catheters and can provide a hemodialysis catheter, which can be trimmed to various lengths in order to precisely accommodate patients of various shapes and sizes. Specifically, the present adjustable-length dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter can comprise a cuff ring assembly, which can be secured at selected locations along the trailing limbs of the catheter allowing the cuff ring assembly to be installed in a location chosen to precisely fit a particular patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for using a dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter apparatus, comprising:
 providing a dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter apparatus comprising: a dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end comprises a first trailing limb and a second trailing limb;   providing a cuff ring assembly further comprising a cuff ring comprising a hollow tube having a bottom end and a top end, wherein the bottom end comprises a first opening and the top end comprises a second opening and the cuff ring is configured to allow the proximal end of the dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter to pass into the cuff ring through the first opening and exit from the cuff ring through the second opening, wherein the top end of the cuff ring further comprises a locking section configured to receive a cuff ring wedge through the second opening, and wherein the cuff ring wedge is configured to be connected within the locking section; at least one suture wing connected to the cuff ring; at least one hub assembly; and a cuff configured to be placed over the bottom end of the cuff ring;   using a tunneler to retrograde tunneling the dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter apparatus into a large vein in a patient's upper torso using and extending the proximal end of the dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter from an incision made in a patient's chest using a scalpel;   placing the cuff ring assembly over the proximal end of the dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter by threading the proximal end of the hemodialysis catheter into the first opening located at the bottom of the cuff ring and out from the second opening located at the top of the cuff ring;   splitting the first trailing limb from the second trailing limb down to a selected point along at the proximal end of the dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter;   placing the cuff ring wedge between the first trailing limb and the second trailing limb and into the locking section of the cuff ring through the second opening at the top of the cuff ring;   connecting the cuff ring wedge to the locking section of the cuff ring assembly;   placing the cuff subcutaneously within the patient;   connecting at least one suture wing to the patient; and   trimming the first trailing limb to a selected length and trimming the second trailing limb to a selected length.   
     
     
         2 . The method described in  claim 1  wherein the distal end of the dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter apparatus comprises a split-tip. 
     
     
         3 . The method as described in  claim 1  wherein the distal end of the dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter apparatus comprises a step-tip. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the cuff ring wedge of the dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter apparatus creates a first limb opening located between the cuff ring wedge and the locking section when connected within the locking section, which is configured to allow the first trailing limb to pass through the first limb opening, and wherein the first trailing limb is secured to the cuff ring when it is placed within the first limb opening and the cuff ring wedge is connected to the locking section. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the cuff ring wedge of the dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter apparatus creates a second limb opening located between the cuff ring wedge and the locking section when connected within the locking section, which is configured to allow the second trailing limb to pass through the second limb opening, and wherein the second trailing limb is secured to the cuff ring when it is placed within the second limb opening and the cuff ring wedge is connected to the locking section. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 4  wherein both the first limb opening and the first trailing limb are D-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 5  wherein both the second limb opening and the second trailing limb are D-shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The method described in  claim 1  wherein at least one hub assembly is connected to at least one trailing limb of the dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter.