Dialysis catheter
A dialysis catheter comprising a first portion having a first diameter, an elongated distal portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and a transition region between the first portion and distal portion. A first longitudinally extending central lumen configured to deliver blood terminates in an opening in the distal portion. At least two independent longitudinally extending lumens are positioned radially of the first lumen, configured to withdraw blood from a patient, and terminate in a longitudinally directed opening in the transition portion.
1 . (canceled)
2 - 24 . (canceled)
25 . A dialysis catheter comprising:
a catheter body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first longitudinally extending lumen configured to deliver blood to a patient, and a second longitudinally extending lumens configured to withdraw blood from a patient;
a first blood delivery opening formed in the distal portion of the catheter body, the blood delivery opening being in fluid communication with the first lumen and configured for passage of blood therethrough;
a second blood withdrawal opening formed in the distal portion of the catheter body, the blood withdrawal opening being in fluid communication with the second lumen and configured for passage of blood from a patient; and
a spacer extending from the catheter body to reduce contact of the catheter body with a vessel wall.
26 . The catheter of claim 25 , wherein the spacer is located between the first opening and the second opening.
27 . The dialysis catheter of claim 26 , wherein the blood withdrawal opening is spaced proximally of the blood delivery opening.
28 . The dialysis catheter of claim 25 , wherein the spacer comprises a wire movable from a straightened position to a bowed position.
29 . The dialysis catheter of claim 25 , wherein the spacer comprises a rib formed by a cutout portion in the catheter body.
30 . The dialysis catheter of claim 29 , wherein the spacer comprises a plurality of ribs movable from a retracted position to a bowed position.
31 . The dialysis catheter of claim 25 , wherein the spacer is movable between a first retracted position and a second position extending outwardly from the catheter body.
32 . The dialysis catheter of claim 27 , wherein the blood delivery opening and the blood withdrawal opening are each formed in a sidewall of the catheter body.
33 . The dialysis catheter of claim 27 , wherein the blood delivery lumen terminates in an opening at a distalmost tip of the catheter.
34 . The dialysis catheter of claim 25 , further comprising a stiffening member removably positionable in the catheter.
35 . The dialysis catheter of claim 34 , wherein the stiffening member has a lumen to receive a guidewire for over the wire insertion of the catheter.
36 . The dialysis catheter of claim 27 , wherein the blood delivery lumen is positioned centrally within the catheter body and the blood withdrawal opening is positioned radially of the blood delivery lumen.
37 . The dialysis catheter of claim 34 , wherein the stiffening member stretches the catheter body and moves the spacer to a straightened position for insertion.
38 . The dialysis catheter of claim 34 , wherein the distal tip portion of the catheter includes a shoulder adapted to abut the stiffening member inserted through the first lumen.
39 . The dialysis catheter of claim 34 , wherein a proximal portion of the stiffening member has a series of threads for mounting the stiffening member to the catheter.
40 . The dialysis catheter of claim 25 , wherein a distal portion of the catheter tapers to a reduced diameter region.