Balloon encapsulated catheter tip

Abstract

This invention is generally related to catheters for insertion into a body cavity, duct or vessel, and more particularly to a tip or plug for a catheter. The catheter tip is constructed and arranged to form a seal on the end portion of the catheter tube, while a sleeve secured or formed integrally to the tip cooperates with the catheter tube to form a first balloon that encapsulates the tip of the catheter and a second balloon that positions the catheter within the body cavity, duct or vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A catheter assembly having an encapsulated catheter tip for encapsulating a distal end of the catheter thereby minimizing the risk of infection comprising:
 a catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a plurality of lumens extending generally from said distal end to said proximal end, said plurality of lumens including at least one drainage lumen in fluid communication with a drainage port for providing fluid flow within said drainage lumen, and at least one control lumen, said control lumen being in fluid communication with a sleeve member for providing inflation of said sleeve thereby forming one or more inflatable areas;   a catheter tip having a cap comprising a distal end and a proximal end, said tip constructed and arranged to cooperate with one of said plurality of lumens, said catheter tip having a sleeve member which contains a first end integrally formed to the said distal of said catheter tip and a second end secured to a plurality of positions along said catheter body, thereby forming a first balloon constructed and arranged to provide a barrier between said catheter tip and a body duct, tissue cavity or vessel, and a second balloon constructed and arranged to position said catheter within said body duct, tissue cavity or vessel;   whereby inflation of said first balloon results in encapsulation of said distal end of said catheter thereby preventing damage to said body duct, tissue cavity or vessel, and inflation of said second balloon provides securing of said catheter to said body duct, tissue cavity, or vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said plurality of lumens includes at least one lumen which is fluidly connected to the external environment for dispensing fluids from said lumen to the external environment, aspirating fluids from the external environment to said lumen, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said cap further includes a stem portion, said stem portion constructed and arranged to engage said drainage lumen, wherein said engagement secures said cap to said catheter body. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 3  wherein said stem portion contains one or more securing members. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said securing members are barbs. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 3  wherein said cap is secured to said catheter body through adhesives, solvents, fillers, radio frequency (RF) welding, laser welding, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 2  wherein at least one drain port is positioned proximally to said first balloon and distally to said second balloon, said positioning minimizing or preventing the lining of said body duct, tissue cavity, or vessel from being drawn into the catheter during use. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the size of each said balloon is varied. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said first balloon is larger than said second balloon. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said first balloon is smaller than said second balloon. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the outer surface of said sleeve includes one or more thick sections, one or more thin sections, or combinations therefore, for providing varied regions along said balloon which have varied resistance to inflation. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said first balloon, said second balloon, or combinations thereof contain one or more ribs. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 12  wherein said ribs are arranged circumferentially along said balloons. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 12  wherein said ribs are arranged longitudinally along said balloons. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 13  wherein the outer surface, the inner surface, or combinations thereof, of said first balloon has a greater resistance to inflation than the outer surface, the inner surface, or combinations thereof, of said second balloon, whereby said second balloon inflates prior to the inflation of said first balloon. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 11  wherein said first balloon, said second balloon, or combinations thereof contain one or more lobes. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 16  wherein each of said balloons contain one or more lobes, said one or more lobes of said first balloon and said one or more lobes of said second balloon are aligned in such a manner so as should said first balloon and said second balloon become misaligned, a proper spacing between said misaligned balloons is maintained such that said first balloon does not completely block fluid flow from the external environment to within said drainage lumen, thereby preventing said drainage port from being obstructed. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter assembly according  claim 6  wherein said at least one balloon extends radially and axially beyond said distal end of the catheter. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter assembly according to  claim 6  wherein said cap is made from a biocompatible elastomeric material which when in cooperative engagement with said catheter tube can elongate as said one or more balloons traverses between a first non-inflated position and a second inflated position.