MICRO CENTRAL LINE VASCULAR ACCESS CATHETER AND METHOD OF USE
A vascular access catheter having a catheter shaft configured for insertion into a vein of a patient. The catheter has an exterior surface, which has a plurality of openings defined in the distal end portion of the catheter shaft, and can have respective first and second lumens. The first lumen is in fluid communication with at least one opening of the plurality of openings and is in communication with a first extension tube. The catheter has a first extension tube and a second extension tube. The first extension tube is positioned in fluid communication with the first lumen, and the second extension tube is positioned in fluid communication with the second lumen. The second extension tube is configured for high pressure CT injections, and the first extension tube is longer in length than the second extension tube.
1 . A vascular access catheter, comprising:
a catheter shaft configured for insertion into a vein of a patient, comprising:
an exterior surface extending therebetween a proximal end and an opposed distal end, wherein the exterior surface of the catheter shaft further defines a plurality of openings positioned therein the distal end portion of the catheter shaft;
a first lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end portion of the catheter shaft, wherein the first lumen is in fluid communication with at least one opening of the plurality of openings;
a second lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end portion of the catheter shaft;
a first extension tube and a second extension tube, wherein the first extension tube is positioned in fluid communication with the first lumen and the second extension tube is positioned in fluid communication with the second lumen, wherein the second extension tube is configured for high pressure CT injections, and wherein the first extension tube is longer in length than the second extension tube.
2 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening of the plurality of openings that is in fluid communication with the first lumen is defined therein a sidewall of the distal end portion of the catheter shaft.
3 . The catheter of claim 2 , wherein the at least one opening of the plurality of openings that is in fluid communication with the first lumen comprises a plurality of first lumen openings.
4 . The catheter of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of first lumen openings are positioned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft.
5 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening of the plurality of openings that is in fluid communication with the first lumen is defined therein at the distal end of the catheter shaft.
6 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening of the plurality of openings that is in fluid communication with the first lumen is spaced from the at least one opening of the plurality of openings that is in fluid communication with the first lumen.
7 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the catheter comprises:
a hub having an exterior surface, the hub further defining an interior cavity and a opening in the exterior surface of the hub, wherein the interior cavity is connected to the opening; and
a self-sealing valve mounted at least partially therein the interior cavity of the hub and extending at least to the opening of the hub.
8 . The catheter of claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the self-sealing valve extends outwardly away from the exterior surface of the hub proximate the opening of the hub.
9 . The catheter of claim 7 , wherein the self-sealing valve is configured for selective receipt of a guide wire.
10 . The catheter of claim 7 , wherein the hub comprises at least one groove defined therein the exterior surface of the catheter hub.
11 . The catheter of claim 10 , wherein the at least one groove is configured for selective receipt of at least one suture.
12 . A vascular access catheter, wherein the catheter shaft is configured for insertion into the internal jugular vein of a patient,
13 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the catheter comprises:
a hub having an exterior surface, wherein at least two rings substantially circumferentially surround at least a portion of the exterior surface of the hub, and wherein the rings are positioned substantially adjacent to one another and are configured for selective receipt of a suture.
14 . The catheter of claim 1 , further comprising a cuff that is mounted to a portion of the exterior surface of the shaft.
15 . The catheter of claim 14 , wherein the cuff substantially circumferentially surrounds the portion of the exterior surface of the catheter shaft.
16 . The catheter of claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of an inner surface of the cuff is adhered to at least one suture.
17 . A vascular access catheter comprising:
a catheter shaft comprising an exterior surface extending therebetween a proximal end and an opposed distal end;
a cuff that is mounted to a portion of the exterior surface of the shaft, wherein the cuff substantially circumferentially surrounds the portion of the exterior surface of the catheter shaft, and wherein at least a portion of an inner surface of the cuff is adhered to at least one suture.
18 . A vascular access catheter, comprising:
a catheter shaft configured for insertion into a vein of a patient, comprising:
an exterior surface extending therebetween a proximal end and an opposed distal end, wherein the exterior surface of the catheter shaft further defines a plurality of openings positioned therein the distal end portion of the catheter shaft;
a catheter lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end portion of the catheter shaft; wherein the catheter lumen is in fluid communication with at least one opening of the plurality of openings;
a first extension tube and a second extension tube, wherein the first extension tube is positioned in fluid communication with the first lumen and the second extension tube is positioned in fluid communication with the second lumen, wherein the second extension tube is configured for high pressure CT injections, and wherein the first extension tube is longer in length than the second extension tube.
19 . A method of inserting a catheter into a patient body, comprising:
providing a catheter, wherein the catheter is a vascular access catheter, comprising:
a catheter shaft configured for insertion into a vein of a patient, comprising:
an exterior surface extending therebetween a proximal end and an opposed distal end, wherein the exterior surface of the catheter shaft further defines a plurality of openings positioned therein the distal end portion of the catheter shaft;
a first lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end portion of the catheter shaft, wherein the first lumen is in fluid communication with at least one opening of the plurality of openings;
a second lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end portion of the catheter shaft;
a first extension tube and a second extension tube, wherein the first extension tube is positioned in fluid communication with the first lumen and the second extension tube is positioned in fluid communication with the second lumen, wherein the second extension tube is configured for high pressure CT injections, and wherein the first extension tube is longer in length than the second extension tube;
inserting a guide wire into a vein of a patient;
inserting the proximal end of the guide wire into the catheter;
advancing the catheter over the guide wire;
inserting the catheter into the vein over the guide wire;
positioning the distal portion of the catheter at a desired location within the vein; and
removing the guide wire from the catheter.
20 . A method of injecting an infusate into a patient body, wherein the method comprises:
providing a catheter, wherein the catheter is a vascular access catheter comprising:
a catheter shaft configured for insertion into a vein of a patient, comprising:
an exterior surface extending therebetween a proximal end and an opposed distal end, wherein the exterior surface of the catheter shaft further defines a plurality of openings positioned therein the distal end portion of the catheter shaft;
a first lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end portion of the catheter shaft, wherein the first lumen is in fluid communication with at least one opening of the plurality of openings;
a second lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end portion of the catheter shaft;
a first extension tube and a second extension tube, wherein the first extension tube is positioned in fluid communication with the first lumen and the second extension tube is positioned in fluid communication with the second lumen, wherein the second extension tube is configured for high pressure CT injections, and wherein the first extension tube is longer in length than the second extension tube;
inserting at least a portion of the vascular access catheter into the patient's body;
providing an infusate; and
injecting the infusate into at least one of the first or second extension tubes, into at least of the first lumen or the second lumen, and into the patient's body.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the method further comprises injecting the infusate into the second extension tube into the second lumen.
22 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the method further comprises injecting the infusate under high pressure.