Venous access catheters and methods for portal venous system catheterization

Abstract

The present invention contemplates devices and methods to administer nutritional compositions and/or therapeutic drugs directly into a portal venous system. For example, total parenteral nutrition therapy may be administered directly into the hepatic portal venous system thus circumventing known side effects of conventional parenteral administration. Alternatively, hepatic diseases and disorders may be treated using locally administered therapeutic drugs. Devices capable of direct portal venous system administration include, but are not limited to, a direct portal access catheter or a transjugular access catheter.

1 - 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A direct portal vein access catheter device comprising:
 a catheter body having
 a proximal end, 
 a distal end, 
 a main lumen, 
 a balloon-fill lumen, 
 an anchor balloon mounted to said catheter body having at least an inflatable state, 
 a balloon-fill hub, and 
 a tissue ingrowth cuff having a circumference configured to receive tissue therein and decrease the potential for infection, 
 wherein:
 said main lumen extends from said proximal end to said distal end and does not overlap said balloon-fill lumen, 
 said balloon-fill lumen extends from said balloon-fill hub to said anchor balloon, 
 said anchor balloon is insertable into a portal vein and inflatable to engage said portal vein and prevent dislodgement; and 
 said tissue ingrowth cuff is mounted on the catheter body between the anchoring balloon and the proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the catheter is configured to extend out of a patient's body. 
 
   
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein said catheter body further comprises a tissue penetrator. 
     
     
         55 . The device of  claim 53 , further comprising an imaging apparatus attached to said catheter body. 
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein said anchor balloon is contained at said distal end of said catheter body. 
     
     
         57 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein said device further comprises a hemostatic clamp about said catheter body located between the tissue ingrowth cuff and the catheter body proximal end. 
     
     
         58 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein said catheter body has an initial length that can be cut to size for a given patient. 
     
     
         59 . The device of  claim 53 , further comprising a connection hub having a connector interfacing with said main lumen and said balloon-fill lumen at said catheter body proximal end, wherein said balloon-fill hub is mounted on said connection hub and connected through said connector to said balloon-fill lumen, and said connector hub has a proximal terminal interfacing through said connector with said main lumen. 
     
     
         60 . The device of  claim 59 , further comprising a ring slide on and surrounding said catheter body and said connector to secure said catheter body proximal end to said connection hub. 
     
     
         62 . The device of  claim 59 , wherein the connection hub connector further comprises a metal connector. 
     
     
         63 . The device of  claim 59 , wherein said connection hub is removable from said catheter body. 
     
     
         64 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein the catheter body further comprises a central venous lumen extending between said catheter body proximal end and a terminal end located between said main lumen distal end and said catheter body proximal end. 
     
     
         65 . The device of  claim 64 , wherein said central venous lumen terminal end is approximately 12 cm from the main lumen distal end. 
     
     
         66 . The device of  claim 64 , further comprising a connection hub having a connector interfacing with said main lumen, said central venous lumen, and said balloon-fill lumen at said catheter body proximal end, wherein said balloon-fill hub is mounted on said connection hub and connected through said connector to said balloon-fill lumen, and said connector hub has a proximal terminal interfacing through said connector with said main lumen and said central venus lumen. 
     
     
         67 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the connection hub connector further comprises a metal connector, and the device further comprises a ring slide positioned on said catheter body to connect said catheter body proximal end to the connector of said connection hub. 
     
     
         68 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein said connection hub is removable from said catheter body.