Patent ID: 8936581
Filing Date: 2015-01-20
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A catheter, comprising: a flexible catheter body having a lumen and a distal lumen opening, the lumen extending through the catheter body along a longitudinal axis of the catheter body; and a plurality of spiral slits formed through a wall of the catheter body, wherein the plurality of spiral slits are at least partially disposed on a tapered tip of the distal end of the catheter body, and wherein at least one of the spiral slits extends more than 180° around the catheter body at an angle of inclination between 15° and 75° from a longitudinal axis of the catheter body, each of the spiral slits forming two opposing slit surfaces that are substantially in contact when the catheter body is not used to inject a fluid, but that spread apart when the catheter body is used to inject a fluid thereby opening a fluid pathway between the opposing slit surfaces.