Patent ID: 6821265
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A process of preparing a multichannel catheter that is of a size suitable for insertion into a blood vessel of a mammal, which process comprises(A) extrusion molding a catheter having distal and proximal ends wherein the catheter comprises (1) a central, first channel (a) extending substantially the length of the catheter, (b) comprising at least seventy percent of the available channel volume of the catheter, and (c) being defined by the wall of the catheter; (2) a second channel (a) extending substantially the length of the catheter parallel to said first channel but independent thereof and (b) being integrated into the wall of the first channel; (3) a third channel (a) extending substantially the length of said catheter parallel to said first and second channels but independent thereof, (b) comprising, in combination with the second channel, not more than about thirty percent of the available channel volume of the catheter, and (c) being integrated into the wall of the first channel and spaced from said second channel; and (B) forming a plurality of openings in the wall of the catheter near the distal end of said catheter and communicating only with said first channel, wherein the outflow capacity of said plurality of openings communicating with said first channel exceeds the inflow capacity of the first channel.