Infusion catheter with high pressure capabilities

1. An infusion catheter, comprising:

an elongate tubular member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion includes an infusion region extending along a portion thereof;

wherein the infusion region of the elongate tubular member includes a plurality of apertures;

wherein the apertures reduce a surface area of the infusion region by 0.25%-10%;

wherein the total number of apertures is greater than or equal to 100; and

wherein each of the plurality of apertures includes a diameter, and wherein the diameter is less than or equal to 0.0048 cm.

2. The infusion catheter of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the elongate tubular member further includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall extending therebetween, and wherein each of the plurality of apertures extends through the wall.

3. The infusion catheter of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of apertures are spaced equidistant around the outer surface of the elongate tubular member.

4. The infusion catheter of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures are configured to permit fluid under pressure up to 18,000 psi to flow therethrough.

5. The infusion catheter of claim 1 , wherein the elongate tubular member is a metal, a glass, or both metal and glass.

6. The infusion catheter of claim 1 , further comprising a tip member, and wherein the tip member is positioned distal of the infusion region.

7. The infusion catheter of claim 6 , wherein the tip member includes a coil.

8. The infusion catheter of claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion of the elongate tubular member is configured to releasably attach to a fluid infusion system.

9. The infusion catheter of claim 1 , further comprising an accessory device slidably and rotationally disposed within the elongate tubular member.

10. The infusion catheter of claim 9 , wherein the accessary device is configured to selectively restrict flow through one or more of the apertures.

11. The infusion catheter of claim 10 , wherein the accessory device comprises a guidewire.

12. An infusion catheter, comprising:

an elongate tubular member having a distal portion and a longitudinal axis, the distal portion including an infusion region;

wherein the infusion region has a surface area defined by a circumference of the elongate tubular member and a length along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member;

wherein the infusion region includes a plurality of apertures located therein;

wherein the apertures reduce the surface area of the infusion region by 0.25%-10%;

wherein each of the plurality of apertures defines a surface area, and wherein the sum of the surface areas of the plurality of apertures is 0.0020 cm 2 to 0.0040 cm 2 ;

wherein the total number of apertures is greater than or equal to 100; and

wherein each of the plurality of apertures includes a diameter, and wherein the diameter is less than or equal to 0.0048 cm.

13. The infusion catheter of claim 12 , wherein the proximal portion of the catheter extends along a longitudinal axis and the distal portion of the catheter is configured to extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

14. The infusion catheter of claim 13 , wherein the angle is in the range of 1° to 90°.

15. The infusion catheter of claim 13 , wherein the angle is in the range of 15° to 25°.

16. The infusion catheter of claim 13 , wherein the angle is approximately 20°.

17. The infusion catheter of claim 12 , wherein a proximal portion of the catheter extends along a longitudinal axis and the distal portion of the catheter is configured to extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

18. The infusion catheter of claim 12 , further comprising an accessory device slidably and rotationally disposed within a lumen of the elongate tubular member.

19. The infusion catheter of claim 12 , wherein the accessary device is configured to selectively restrict flow through one or more of the apertures.