High Flow Rate Dialysis Catheters and Related Methods

Abstract

High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A catheter comprising:
 a hub; and   a conduit comprising an outer wall and an internal divider defining at least a first lumen and a second lumen, the conduit further comprising:
 a cylindrical proximal section; and 
 a middle section, wherein the middle section includes a transition zone; 
   the transition zone extending from a first point to a second point, wherein the first point has a first cross-sectional area and the second point has a second cross-sectional area, wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross-sectional area; and   wherein the outer wall smoothly increases in a distal to proximal direction over the transition zone with a concomitant increase in a cross-sectional area in a distal to proximal direction of each of the first and second lumens over the transition zone; and   wherein the cylindrical proximal section is in coupled with the hub.   
     
     
         22 . The catheter of  claim 21 , wherein the conduit further comprises a cylindrical distal section. 
     
     
         23 . The catheter of  claim 22 , wherein the first point is proximal of the second point. 
     
     
         24 . The catheter of  claim 21 , wherein the cylindrical proximal section is in direct contact with the hub. 
     
     
         25 . The catheter of  claim 21 , wherein the internal divider comprises a thickness. 
     
     
         26 . The catheter of  claim 25 , wherein the internal divider thickness is configured to taper in a proximal to distal direction. 
     
     
         27 . The catheter of  claim 25 , wherein the internal divider thickness is configured to remain uniform along a length of the conduit. 
     
     
         28 . The catheter of  claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of the catheter is reinforced. 
     
     
         29 . The catheter of  claim 21 , wherein the catheter is substantially continuous and smooth along the conduit. 
     
     
         30 . The catheter of  claim 21 , wherein a transverse cross-section of the first lumen and the second lumen is circular or partly circular. 
     
     
         31 . The catheter of  claim 22 , wherein the outer wall has a maximum thickness and a minimum thickness. 
     
     
         32 . The catheter of  claim 31 , wherein the maximum thickness is located along the cylindrical proximal section and the minimum thickness is located along the cylindrical distal section. 
     
     
         33 . A catheter comprising:
 a hub; and   a flexible conduit comprising an outer wall and an internal divider defining at least a first lumen and a second lumen, the flexible conduit further comprising:
 a cylindrical proximal section; and 
 a middle section, wherein the middle section includes a transition zone; 
   the transition zone extending from a first point to a second point, wherein the first point has a first cross-sectional area and the second point has a second cross-sectional area, wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross-sectional area; and   wherein the outer wall smoothly increases in a distal to proximal direction over the transition zone with a concomitant increase in a cross-sectional area in a distal to proximal direction of each of the first and second lumens over the transition zone;   wherein the cylindrical proximal section is in coupled with the hub; and   a surface of the flexible conduit is configured to inhibit association of materials with the surface of the flexible conduit.   
     
     
         34 . The catheter of  claim 33 , wherein the flexible conduit further comprises a cylindrical distal section. 
     
     
         35 . The catheter of  claim 34 , wherein the first point is proximal of the second point. 
     
     
         36 . The catheter of  claim 33 , wherein the surface of the flexible conduit is treated with an anticoagulant. 
     
     
         35 . The catheter of  claim 36 , wherein the anticoagulant is heparin. 
     
     
         36 . The catheter of  claim 35 , wherein the surface of the flexible conduit is an outer surface of the flexible conduit. 
     
     
         37 . A catheter comprising:
 a hub; and   a conduit comprising an outer wall and an internal divider defining at least a first lumen and a second lumen, the conduit further comprising:   a cylindrical proximal section; and   a middle section, wherein the middle section includes a transition zone;   the transition zone extending from a first point to a second point, wherein the first point has a first cross-sectional area and the second point has a second cross-sectional area, wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross-sectional area; and   wherein the outer wall smoothly increases in a distal to proximal direction over the transition zone with a concomitant increase in a cross-sectional area in a distal to proximal direction of each of the first and second lumens over the transition zone; and   wherein the cylindrical proximal section is in coupled with the hub, wherein at the first lumen and the second lumen are configured to be in fluid communication with the hub.   
     
     
         38 . The catheter of  claim 37 , wherein the conduit further comprises a cylindrical distal section. 
     
     
         39 . The catheter of  claim 38 , wherein the first point is proximal of the second point. 
     
     
         40 . The catheter of  claim 37 , further comprising at least one connecting tube configured to be in fluid communication with the hub, whereby the at least one connecting tube is in communication with at least one of the lumens. 
     
     
         41 . The catheter of  claim 37 , wherein the first lumen and the second lumen are in constant open fluid communication with the hub.