Patent ID: 8348926
Filing Date: 2013-01-08
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A catheter including a proximal section, a distal end and a lumen extending along a length of the catheter from the proximal section to the distal end, the proximal section of the catheter comprising: a relatively rigid sidewall surrounding the lumen; and a proximal terminal end having a tapered profile and defining a perimeter of a proximal opening of the lumen, the proximal terminal end including an exposed sealing area; and wherein the perimeter of the proximal opening of the lumen includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion protruding proximally from the second portion by virtue of the tapered profile of the proximal terminal end; and the exposed sealing area forms the first portion of the perimeter of the proximal opening, the exposed sealing area having a lower durometer than the relatively rigid sidewall of the proximal section, and the sealing area being exposed by virtue of the first portion of the perimeter of the proximal opening of the lumen protruding proximally from the second portion of the perimeter, wherein: the lumen includes a main portion, a seal zone portion and a proximal port portion; the proximal port portion extends distally from the proximal opening toward the seal zone portion; and the main portion extends distally from the seal zone portion toward the distal end; and wherein the seal zone portion of the lumen includes a funnel-like segment and a slit segment, the funnel-like segment tapering down in size from a proximal diameter thereof to a distal diameter thereof, and the slit segment extending proximally from the main portion of the lumen to intersect with the funnel-like segment.