Catheter with Leading Guidewire Lumen

Abstract

A vascular access catheter is disclosed that has a leading guidewire lumen. The guidewire lumen is configured for receiving a guidewire and may extend a partial length of the catheter or substantially the entire length of the catheter. A lumen of the catheter can have an opening located in an angled edge distal end portion of the catheter next to the distal tip. A second lumen can have an opening that is positioned in the outer surface of the catheter shaft, and is spaced proximally from the first lumen opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A catheter for fluid communication with a target site within a human body, the catheter comprising:
 a first lumen extending between a first lumen proximal opening and a first lumen distal opening, a first external connection element comprising the first lumen proximal opening;   a second lumen extending between a second lumen proximal opening and a second lumen distal opening, a second external connection element comprising the second lumen proximal opening; and   a guidewire lumen extending between a guidewire lumen proximal opening and a guidewire lumen distal opening;   wherein the second lumen distal opening terminates distal of the first lumen distal opening,   wherein the guidewire lumen distal opening terminates distal of the second lumen distal opening, and   wherein the guidewire lumen proximal opening terminates into the second lumen.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the guidewire lumen proximal opening terminates distal of the first lumen distal opening. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the guidewire lumen proximal opening terminates proximal of the second lumen distal opening. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the guidewire lumen proximal opening terminates distal of the first lumen distal opening, and wherein the guidewire lumen proximal opening terminates proximal of the second lumen distal opening. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the second lumen distal opening comprises a sloped edge. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of a catheter wall distal of the first lumen distal opening is curved. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the curve forms an inner angle between 45 degrees and 135 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 7 , wherein the curve forms an inner angle of approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the curve forms an apex configured to separate the first lumen distal opening from a vessel wall. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the curve can be straightened by a guidewire. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter of  claim 10 , wherein the guidewire can be removed to return the catheter to an original curved and unstressed state. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter is a dialysis catheter. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the guidewire lumen has a length of between 6 mm and 7 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the guidewire lumen has a diameter of approximately 0.037 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter comprises a flexible polymer shaft. 
     
     
         16 . A catheter for fluid communication with a target site within a human body, the catheter comprising:
 a first lumen extending between a first lumen proximal opening and a first lumen distal opening, a first external connection element comprising the first lumen proximal opening; and   a second lumen extending between a second lumen proximal opening and a second lumen distal opening, a second external connection element comprising the second lumen proximal opening;   wherein the second lumen distal opening terminates distal of the first lumen distal opening,   wherein a portion of a catheter wall distal of the first lumen distal opening is curved, and   wherein the curve forms an apex configured to separate the first lumen distal opening from a vessel wall.   
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 16 , wherein the curve forms an inner angle between 45 degrees and 135 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter of  claim 17 , wherein the curve forms an inner angle of approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the curve can be straightened by a guidewire, and the guidewire can be removed to return the catheter to an original curved and unstressed state. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter of  claim 16 , wherein the catheter comprises a flexible polymer shaft.