Patent ID: 7510550
Filing Date: 2009-03-31
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A catheter for delivering a fluid to an anatomical region, comprising: an elongate tubular catheter body having a uniform cross-sectional size and shape, said catheter body defining a lumen, a distal end of said lumen being closed, a distal end of said catheter body having a plurality of openings extending through a side wall of said catheter body thereby defining an infusion section of said catheter that is limited to said distal end of said catheter body, said catheter body constructed from a first material; a tubular sheath constructed from a second material different than said first material, wherein said second material is a porous material having an inherent property of permitting fluid flow through micro passages in said material, wherein said tubular sheath is a single layer positioned over said infusion section and having a first end permanently secured to said catheter body at a fixed location proximate a proximal end of said infusion section and a second end permanently secured to said catheter body at a fixed location proximate a distal end of said infusion section, said tubular sheath and said catheter body being configured such that fluid within said lumen exits said lumen through one of said plurality of openings, into an annular interstitial space between said catheter body and said tubular sheath having a radial dimension of about 0.002inches to about 0.007 inches, and then passes only through said tubular sheath to exit said catheter; wherein a pore size of said porous material is less than about 0.5 microns.