Multi-lumen catheter with separate distal tips
A multi-lumen catheter including tip sections distal to a dividing point, the tip sections releasably joined by a method that produces a variable separation force between the tip sections along a length thereof. An increasing separation force may be imparted to the tip sections by providing an increasing bond strength in fusion zones from a distal portion of the tip sections toward the dividing point.
1. A method of producing a variable separation force between adjacent inner surfaces of tip sections distal to a dividing point in a split-tip catheter, comprising creating two or more distinct fusion zones between the inner surfaces, each fusion zone including a different bond strength caused by a different density of fusion points such that fusion points in one fusion zone are closer together than fusion points in another fusion zone, the fusion points made by applying a pattern of adhesive to each fusion zone.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the applying step includes disposing a plurality of fusion points in each pattern of adhesive, each fusion zone including a different number of fusion points.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the disposing step includes progressively increasing the number of fusion points in the fusion zones in a proximal direction.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the disposing step includes progressively increasing the number of fusion points within each fusion zone from a distal end to a proximal end of the fusion zone.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the creating step includes the step of applying a different type of adhesive to each of the fusion zones.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the bond strength of each type of adhesive progressively increases in a proximal direction.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the fusion zones extend from a distal end of at least one of the inner surfaces to the dividing point.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the creating step includes progressively increasing the bond strength of the fusion zones in a proximal direction.
9. A method of joining tip sections of a split-tip catheter to impart a variable separation force, comprising creating two or more fusion zones between the tip sections distal to a dividing point, the fusion zones including a progressively greater bond strength in a proximal direction through a reduction in separation distance between adjacent fusion points, the fusion points made by applying a pattern of adhesive to each fusion zone.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the pattern of adhesive is generally in a geometric pattern of discrete points across the tip sections and longitudinally along the tip sections.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the pattern of adhesive in a proximal fusion zone has discrete points closer together both laterally across the tip sections and longitudinally along the tip sections than the pattern of adhesive in a distal fusion zone.