Catheter and tunneling device therefor

Abstract

A catheter for introduction and removal of fluids from a body and tunneling device therefor, the catheter has a body having a first conduit for removing fluid from the body and a second conduit for delivering fluid to the body wherein at least a part of each of the lumens is integrally formed within a first end of the body and extends along side one another. The first conduit extends beyond the second conduit and forms a terminal point of the first end and defines a first opening thereat and the second conduit extends to a point short of the terminal point defining a second opening. A bumper portion is adjacent the second opening extending toward the terminal point. Another part of each the first and the second lumens are disjoined and form part of a second Y-shaped end. The tunneling device has a channel to removably receive the catheter.

1 . A catheter for introduction and removal of fluids from a body, comprising: 
 a. a catheter body having 
 i. a first end,  
 ii. a first conduit for removing fluid from the body and  
 iii. a second conduit for delivering fluid to the body wherein a first part of each of the lumens is connected within a first end of said catheter body and extend along side one another, said connected first part of said first conduit extends beyond said connected first part of said second conduit and forms a terminal point of said first end and defines a first opening thereat and said second conduit extends to a point short of said terminal point defining a second opening,  
 iv. a bumper portion connected to said first end adjacent said second opening and extends toward said terminal point, and wherein a second part of each said first conduit and said second conduit are disjoined and form part of a second Y-shaped end of said catheter and said second part of each said conduit includes a terminal end defining an opening.  
   
     
     
         2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said bumper is tapered.  
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said bumper is integrally connected to said first end.  
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein each said disjoined conduit part extend a length to readily enable handling thereof during operation.  
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein each terminal end of said disjoined parts include a Luer lock fitting.  
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 5 , which includes a first flexible rod of a size and length to extend through said first conduit in a slidably sealable manner and is equipped with an end cap which is configured to sealably connect to said Luer lock fitting of said first conduit and a second flexible rod is of a size and length to extend through said second conduit in a slidably sealable manner and is equipped with an end cap which is configured to sealably connect to said Luer lock fitting of said second conduit.  
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 1 , which further includes a first and second clamp each operably disposed about one of said disjoined conduit parts.  
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 1 , which further includes at least one cuff disposed on said first end of said catheter which provide for tissue ingrowth therein to enable said catheter to be suitably anchored within the body.  
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 1 , which further includes a cuff disposed on said first end of said catheter which provides for tissue ingrowth therein to enable said catheter to be suitably anchored within the body and a visible indicia formed on said first end between said cuff and said second end of said catheter to serve as a position indicator of said cuff.  
     
     
         10 . A tunneling device for use in inserting a catheter, comprising: 
 a. a relatively rigid member having a handle and an end configured with an exposed elongated channel to receive at least a portion of said catheter, wherein said end is equipped with a hollow cap to receive openings of a first end of the catheter in a manner to maintain the openings substantially covered during insertion of the catheter into the body thereby preventing potential clogging thereof by tissue and blood.    
     
     
         11 . The tunneling device of  claim 10 , wherein said elongated channel is generally oval shaped in cross section.  
     
     
         12 . The tunneling device of  claim 10 , which further includes a mid-section having a Y-shaped exposed channel continuous with said exposed elongated channel to receive at least part of a Y-shaped end of the catheter.  
     
     
         13 . A method of introducing a catheter into a body, comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a tunneling device comprising a relatively rigid member having a handle and an end configured with an exposed elongated channel to receive at least a portion of said catheter, wherein said end is equipped with a removable hollow cap to receive openings of a first end of the catheter in a manner to maintain the openings substantially covered during insertion of the catheter into the body thereby preventing potential clogging thereof by tissue and blood;    b. laying an end of the catheter through the exposed elongated channel in a manner such that end openings of the catheter are received in the cap of the tunneling device;    c. inserting the tunneling device having the catheter therein through a first incision of a body such that the cap extends out a second incision of the body;    d. removing the cap; and    e. lifting the first end of catheter from the tunneling device    f. removing said catheter from the tunneling device and    g. removing said tunneling device from the body.