Abstract:
A catheter comprising a proximal portion with first and second lumens extending therethrough and first and second legs extending from a distal end of the proximal portion, the first lumen extending through the first leg and the second lumen extending through the second leg in combination with a web of bioabsorbable material releasably coupling the first and second legs to one another.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Catheters are often used to withdraw and/or administer fluids (e.g., medications, blood products, nutrients, etc.). Multi-lumen, split tip catheters are often used for kidney dialysis in which blood is withdrawn from the vascular system, treated and returned to the vascular system. The two tips separate the openings for the withdrawal and return of fluids to improve flow rate, lower venous pressure, minimize the incidence of catheter occlusion and reduce recirculation of treated blood. In order to further separate the inflow and outflow openings of such a split tip catheter, the legs are generally of different length with, for example, an inflow opening being located proximally of an outflow opening to reduce recirculation.  
         [0002]     However, movement of the tips often makes accurate placement difficult. Improper placement may cause problems including, for example, discomfort and reduced flow rate. Catheter placement often involves the use of a guidewire. A split tip catheter is often ‘woven’ over a previously placed guide wire via guide holes in the tips of the two catheter legs. After the guide wire is properly positioned, the catheter is ‘woven’ over the wire and slid over the wire to the desired position. The wire is then removed. However, the weaving process is time consuming and can cause issues on insertion as it increases an overall profile of the catheter. In addition, the shorter leg of the catheter may become caught in the vessel during insertion movement of the distal tips of the Y-shaped wire is makes accurate tracking and control of the guidewire more difficult. Thus, it is more difficult to place a split tip catheter and the accuracy of the placement of the catheter is also degraded.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention is directed to a catheter comprising a proximal portion with first and second lumens extending therethrough and first and second legs extending from a distal end of the proximal portion, the first lumen extending through the first leg and the second lumen extending through the second leg in combination with a web of bioabsorbable material releasably coupling the first and second legs to one another. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]      FIG. 1  is a top elevation view of a dual lumen split tip catheter that is encased in a biodegradable web, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0005]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the split tips encased in the biodegradable web;  
         [0006]      FIG. 3  is a top elevation view showing the split tip catheter once the biodegradable web has dissolved. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0007]     The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. Although the embodiments of the invention described relate to dialysis catheters, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention is equally applicable to a split tip catheter for any purpose.  
         [0008]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a split tip catheter  100  according to an embodiment of the invention includes an elongate body  101  with two separate distal legs  102   a  and  102   b  releasably coupled to one another via a web  103  extending therebetween. The catheter  100  according to this embodiment, includes 2 D-shaped lumens  110  side by side separated from one another by a central wall  112 . The central wall  112  is split in half along the length of the distal legs  102   a  and  102   b  with exterior surfaces  112 ′ of this split central wall  112  facing each other. The web  103  which couples these exterior surfaces  112 ′ to one another is formed of a biodegradable material such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), or other similarly bioabsorbable material so that a predetermined time after the web  103  contacts bodily fluids, the material dissolves, releasing the legs  102   a  and  102   b  from one another. Additional examples of suitable bioabsorbable materials include polysaccharaides (e.g., glucose, mannose, maltose, dextrose, fructose) water soluble salts (sodium chloride, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate) and polyvilnyl pirrolidone (polyacrylic acids). Those skilled in the art will understand that the time required for the web  103  to dissolve may be altered by changing the material of which the web  103  is formed, a configuration and/or size of the web  103 . A size of the web  103  may be varied by selecting a length of legs  102   a  and  102   b  along which the web  103  extends. Having selected a length of the web  103 , the configuration may be varied by selecting a number of segments into which the web  103  is divided. Depending on the application, anatomical considerations and physician preference, the desired dissolution time of the web  103  may vary from as short as one minute to 30 minutes or more.  
         [0009]     The catheter  100  is inserted into the body over a previously placed guide wire (not shown) which is threaded through either of the legs  102   a ,  102   b . Preferably the guide wire is threaded through whichever of the legs  102   a ,  102   b  is longest as this facilitates negotiating the anatomy of the vessel(s). Those skilled in the art will understand that any appropriately sized conventional guidewire may be used. When the catheter  100  has reached the desired position, the guide wire is removed. During insertion and while in the desired position, the web  103  contacts bodily fluids which, after a predetermined time dissolve the web  103  allowing the distal legs  102   a  and  102   b  to separate from one another.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts a front elevation view of the distal legs  102   a  and  102   b  of the catheter  100  with the web  103  still intact. In this configuration, the distal legs  102   a  and  102   b  are connected to one another and unable to move independently. Although the catheter  100  is shown with a substantially circular cross-section, those skilled in the art will understand that the catheter  100  may be of any other cross-sectional shape such as elliptical, etc.  FIG. 3  depicts the split tip catheter  100  with Web  103  completely dissolved and the distal legs  102   a  and  102   b  separated from one another.  
         [0011]     The present invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, and more specifically to a dialysis catheter with dual lumen. However, other embodiments may be devised that are applicable to different medical devices, without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments, without departing from the broadest spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.