Self-Anchoring Catheters and Methods of Use
Catheters for percutaneous applications are disclosed. The catheter according to example embodiments may comprise a substantially straight section, an anchoring section positioned proximal to the substantially straight section. The anchoring section can have a curvature for providing longitudinal traction with a tissue to anchor the catheter to the tissue and a pathway extending through the catheter for transporting fluids. The pathway may comprise a first section and a second section in fluid communication with each other, where the first section extends through the length of the straight section, and the second section extends through the anchoring section and has a curvature which mimics the curvature of the anchoring section.
1 . A method for forming a catheter comprising:
coupling a straight section of a catheter with a shaping member having a curved portion with a pre-determined curvature, the straight section having a flexible portion capable of being shaped into the pre-determined curvature and a pathway extending through the straight section, wherein the pathway mimics the curvature of the shaping member;
shaping the flexible portion of the straight section to assume the pre-determined curvature; and
wherein the flexible portion of the straight section retains the pre-determined curvature upon removing the straight section from the shaping member.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the shaping member is a rigid insert for shaping the flexible portion.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the shaping member stays with the anchoring portion during catheter insertion.
4 . The method of any one of claim 1 , wherein the shaping member is a jacket for shaping the flexible portion.
5 . A method for forming a catheter comprising:
providing an elongated tube having pathway extending therethrough and a flexible portion;
engaging a shaping member provided with curved configuration to the flexible portion of the tube to provide the flexible portion with a shape approximating the configuration of the member; and
allowing the flexible portion to retain the curved configuration of the member upon removing the member.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the member is a rigid insert for shaping the flexible portion.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the member stays with the flexible portion during catheter insertion.
8 . The method of any one of claim 5 , wherein the member is a jacket for shaping the flexible portion.