Centering device for a catheter

Abstract

A catheter may include an elongated tube enclosing at least one catheter lumen, and a centering device coupled to a distal end of the elongated tube, wherein the centering device includes a plurality of legs. Each leg of the plurality of legs may include a first end fixed to an outer surface of the elongated tube. Each leg of the plurality of legs may include an outward bias such that a central portion of each leg of the plurality of legs is spaced radially outward from the elongated tube when the centering device is in an expanded state.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A catheter, comprising:
 an elongated tube enclosing at least one catheter lumen; and   a centering device coupled to a distal end of the elongated tube, wherein the centering device includes a plurality of legs,   wherein each leg of the plurality of legs includes a first end fixed to an outer surface of the elongated tube, and   wherein each leg of the plurality of legs includes an outward bias such that a central portion of each leg of the plurality of legs is spaced radially outward from the elongated tube when the centering device is in an expanded state.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein each leg of the plurality of legs includes a second end located distally of the first end, wherein the central portion extends from the first end to the second end, and wherein the second end is spaced radially outward from the elongated tube when the centering device is in the expanded state. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein at least one leg of the plurality of legs includes a concave profile portion and a convex profile portion, the concave profile portion extending distally from the first end, and the convex profile portion extending proximally from the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the second end of each leg of the plurality of legs includes a blunt outer surface. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the legs of the plurality of legs are integral with the outer surface of the elongated tube such that a material forming the outer surface is uniform with the material forming the legs. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated tube includes a first opening configured to provide access to a first catheter lumen, wherein the first opening is located distally of terminal distal end of at least one leg of the plurality of legs when the centering device is in the expanded state. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated tube includes a first opening configured to provide access to a first catheter lumen, wherein the first opening is at least partially surrounded by the legs of the centering device such that the legs are configured to prevent engagement between the first opening and a target body surface. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated tube includes a first opening configured to provide access to a first catheter lumen, wherein the elongated tube includes a second opening configured to provide access to a second catheter lumen, and wherein the first catheter lumen is fluidly isolated from the second catheter lumen within the elongated tube. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 8 , wherein the first opening extends through a wall of the elongated tube and faces a first direction, wherein the second opening extends through a wall of the elongated tube and faces a second direction, and wherein the first direction is substantially opposite the second direction. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising a sheath configured for preventing outward movement of the legs of the centering device when the centering device is in a delivery state. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising an endcap forming a distal terminus of the elongated tube, wherein the endcap lacks an opening to an inner lumen within the catheter. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated tube includes a plurality of depressions corresponding to the plurality of legs such that the legs are received by the depressions when the centering device is in the delivery state. 
     
     
         13 . A catheter, comprising:
 an elongated tube enclosing at least one catheter lumen;   a first opening located at a distal end of the elongated tube, the first opening being configured to provide access to a first lumen, the first lumen extending through the elongated tube;   a second opening located at the distal end of the elongated tube, the second opening being configured to provide access to a second lumen, the second lumen extending through the elongated tube and being fluidly isolated relative to the first lumen within the elongated tube; and   a centering device coupled to the distal end of the elongated tube, wherein the centering device is moveable between a delivery state and an expanded state, and wherein the centering device includes a bias towards the expanded state.   
     
     
         14 . The catheter of  claim 13 , wherein the centering device includes a plurality of legs, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs includes a distal end that is spaced radially outward from the elongated tube when the centering device is in the expanded state. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the distal end of each leg of the plurality of legs includes a blunt outer surface. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the legs of the plurality of legs are integral with an outer surface of the elongated tube such that a material forming the outer surface is uniform with the material forming the legs. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 13 , further comprising an endcap forming a distal terminus of the elongated tube, wherein the endcap lacks an opening to an inner lumen within the catheter. 
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 forming a catheter having an elongated tube and a centering device,   wherein the centering device is coupled to a distal end of the elongated tube,   wherein the centering device includes a plurality of legs,   wherein each leg of the plurality of legs includes a first end fixed to an outer surface of the elongated tube, and   wherein each leg of the plurality of legs includes an outward bias such that a central portion of each leg of the plurality of legs is spaced radially outward from the elongated tube when the centering device is in an expanded state.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein forming the legs includes displacing a portion of the outer surface of the elongated tube, and wherein a central portion of each of the legs consists of the displaced portion of the outer surface of the elongated tube. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising attaching the legs to the outer surface of the elongated tube after forming the elongated tube and after forming the legs of the centering device.