Patent ID: 6074374
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A catheter for introducing and removing fluid to and from the vascular system comprising:an elongated catheter body having a sidewall defining a catheter lumen,at least one opening in said catheter body at a first distal location of said catheter body, said at least one opening being adapted for relatively low pressure movement of fluid therethrough,a plurality of normally closed pressure responsive exits in said side wall, said plurality of exits positioned at a second location of said catheter body which is spaced from and proximal of said first distal location,said pressure responsive exits permitting fluid material to exit from said catheter lumen in response to an internal fluid pressure greater than a predetermined magnitude,an intermediate zone between said first distal location and said second location,a removable sealing member adapted to be positioned within said lumen,said sealing member having a sealing element, said sealing element being movable between a collapsed insertion state and an expanded sealing state,means for moving said sealing element between said collapsed insertion state and said expanded sealing state,whereby when said sealing member is positioned within said lumen and said sealing element is in said expanded sealing state at said intermediate zone, said sealing element will be expanded to contact the inside surface of said side wall of said lumen at said intermediate zone and thereby prevent flow of fluid between said first distal location and said second location so that fluid inserted through said lumen at a pressure greater than said predetermined magnitude will pass through said pressure responsive exits to contact and remove fibrin on the exterior surface of said elongated catheter body.