Patent ID: 6692459
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method of performing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure in a human or animal comprising the steps of:a) providing a catheter for the administration of fluid or pharmaceutical agents, or for hemodialysis comprising: i) a proximal control end comprising a housing with a proximal end and a distal end; ii) a distal delivery end; iii) an elongated intermediate portion between the proximal control end and a distal delivery end; iv) one or more than one delivery lumen within the intermediate portion extending from the proximal control end to the distal delivery end; v) one or more than one inflation balloon in each delivery lumen; and vi) one or more than one inflation lumen in the intermediate portion extending from the proximal control end to the one or more than one inflation balloon in the one or more than one delivery lumen, and connected to the one or more than one inflation balloon through one or more than one fenestration; where the proximal control end further comprises a mechanism for aspiration and injection of fluids through the distal delivery end; and where the proximal control end further comprises a mechanism for controlling inflation of the one or more than one inflation balloon; b) placing the catheter subcutaneously into the human or animal with the distal end inserted into a target vessel; c) injecting fluid into or aspirating fluid from the proximal control end of the catheter; and d) allowing the fluid to flow through the distal delivery end; where inflating the one or more than one inflation balloon in the distal delivery end is achieved by depressing a portion of the proximal control end through skin overlying the placed catheter.