Patent ID: 8403911

Claim:
A peripheral catheter, comprising: a tubular body member of a predetermined diameter and wall thickness, the tubular body member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween, the tubular body member further having a truncated length sufficient to access a peripheral vein of a patient; a tapered tip forming the distal end of the tubular body member and having a distal catheter tip opening into the lumen, wherein the distal catheter tip opening remains unobstructed to allow fluid flow; and a plurality of holes positioned on the tapered tip of the tubular body member, the plurality of holes being formed through the wall thickness of the tubular body member and in communication with the lumen to define an array of diffusion holes, the plurality of holes comprising a first set of holes disposed in a first annular ring, and a second set of holes disposed in a second annular ring, wherein the second set of holes is axially staggered from the first set of holes from about 15° to about 60°.