Patent ID: 6999809

Claim:
A multiple lumen central venous catheter having a soft tip, comprising: a generally tubular catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter body defining therein at least one primary lumen and at least one medical implement lumen; a soft, tapered distal catheter tip having a distal end and a proximal end abutting the distal end of the catheter body, the catheter tip defining therein at least one primary lumen aligned with the at least one primary lumen of the catheter body and at least one medical implement lumen aligned with the at least one medical implement lumen of the catheter body, wherein the catheter tip has a proximal region and a distal region, and wherein the proximal region is more flexible than the distal region and more flexible than the catheter body and forms a bending portion of the catheter tip; and at least one optical fiber extending through the at least one medical implement lumen of the catheter body and the at least one medical implement lumen of the catheter tip, and being secured thereto only at the distal end of the catheter tip.