Patent ID: 6186978
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A catheter assembly for the infusion of fluids comprising outer tubing assembly, an inner tubing assembly, and a membrane assembly:a) said outer tubing assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and an axis extending from said proximal end to said distal end, said outer tubing assembly comprising an outer polymeric covering extending from said proximal end to said distal end, and a ribbon braid having a plurality of interwoven members disposed interiorly to an interior surface of said outer polymeric covering for at least a portion of said axis, andb) said inner tubing assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and having a lumen extending from said inner tubing assembly proximal end to said distal end, said inner tubing assembly comprising an outer polymeric covering extending from said proximal end to said distal end, and a super-elastic alloy ribbon braid having a plurality of interwoven members disposed interiorly to an interior surface of said outer polymeric covering for at least a portion of said axis, said inner tubing assembly being located within and spaced apart from said outer tubing assembly to form an annular space between said outer tubing assembly and said inner tubing assembly,c) said membrane assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and an outwardly expandable membrane provided on the outer tubing assembly to form an expandable cavity in fluid communication with the annular space between the outer tubing assembly and the inner tubing assembly, andd) further comprising at least one bleed port at a distal end of said annular space between said outer tubing assembly and said inner tubing assembly and said at least one bleed port being sealable by expansion of said expandable membrane.