Patent ID: 7438711

Claim:
A catheter for the uniform delivery of fluid, comprising: an elongated tube having a substantially consistent cross-sectional size between a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being closed, and a plurality of exit holes in a side wall of said tube, said exit holes provided along a length of said tube defining an infusion section of said catheter; an elongated porous member positioned within said tube and extending along said infusion section, said member being sized so that an annular space is formed between said tube and said member, said member being formed of a porous material that becomes saturated with a fluid introduced within said tube; and a ring-shaped adhesive bond near the proximal end of said infusion section securing said member to said tube and that is aligned with at least one of said plurality of exit holes, wherein said ring-shaped adhesive bond includes a portion extending into and closing said at least one of said plurality of exit holes, and wherein said ring-shaped adhesive bond substantially fills said annular space such that a fluid introduced into a proximal end of said tube will flow through said member prior to being dispensed from said catheter by flowing through said exit holes.